That's the procedure to prevent buyer's remorse!!!I have to laugh at all the boats I see on Craigslist that start out at $50k and then every couple of days the price drops by a $1k or more.One particular boat is now at $38k and the seller is still smoking crack if he thinks he can get $20k. With the epidemic craziness a lot of people have a sense that their old, tired, worn out junk is worth way more than it is.
So I did check out the Robalo last weekend and it's a gorgeous boat and one that would suit me and my needs. I've made an offer but the owner of the company is unwell so still waiting to hear back. Now that I've narrowed down the type of boat I want, I'm prepared to wait for the right one at the right price.
Anyone here own a boat, or know a lot about boats?
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mcmxi
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The only thing about the Robalo that is a mystery is the hand/grab rail around the bow. It's not a factory option so I have to think that the original owner had it custom made. I really like it so I'm not complaining. It's exceptionally well made, very nicely installed and looks factory.
mcmxi
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Just a bit of an update re my boat shopping experience. Last week I made an offer on the boat shown above and I received and email today saying that they've accepted the offer! I'm very excited about this. If I build a 2023 boat with the same or very similar options it's around $66k (MSRP of $83,961) which doesn't include delivery which is another $5k to $7k. Other R200s around the country are selling for close to $50k.
Thanks for everyone's input and I'll post an update this summer from Flathead Lake.
Oh, the handrail around the bow is a factory installed option, or possibly standard on boats from 2016. I don't see it as an option on current boats though.
Thanks for everyone's input and I'll post an update this summer from Flathead Lake.
Oh, the handrail around the bow is a factory installed option, or possibly standard on boats from 2016. I don't see it as an option on current boats though.
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mcmxi
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This boat has a "head" in front of the center console. The seat and door open to the right to reveal a space that can be used for storage, a porta potty or a changing room, or all three!
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I took this photo of the rear jump seats when I was checking the boat over last weekend. That's probably my grubby footprint on the deck there. There's a live well between the jump seats and did I mention the 70 gallon fuel tank!! I'm going to add the optional ski tow rail shown in the bottom photo, if only to provide a grab handle when using the ladder that drops down next to the motor. I might make one myself since it'd be a lot cheaper than the factory one that is around $1,200 and is only available with white or black powder coat. 
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Very nice boat, Robalo is a good mfg. Looks like it has the Yamaha digital system, which is a very nice control setup.
I'm a "Mercury" guy, but Yamaha and Suzuki would also be strongly desirable motors.
A 150HP setup will be fine for what you've been describing, I have a deck boat with a 225HP and it moves along pretty well. We started out looking at the 150HP option, and the salesman said go big or go home - we went big and I'm glad.
I'm a "Mercury" guy, but Yamaha and Suzuki would also be strongly desirable motors.
A 150HP setup will be fine for what you've been describing, I have a deck boat with a 225HP and it moves along pretty well. We started out looking at the 150HP option, and the salesman said go big or go home - we went big and I'm glad.
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I'd obviously prefer the 200hp Yamaha motor and perhaps in a few years I could upgrade. The R200 is rated for a 200hp outboard so there's room to grow.
Out of interest, how many hours are outboards good for? A loaded question obviously that depends on numerous variables, but do people typically wear out a four stroke, fuel injected outboard? According to some I've spoken to, the Yamaha engines are top tier.
Yamaha is absolutely top tier. I would think it would be good 3-5K hours as a rough estimate, depending. I see a lot of people running wide open, like you I'm a diesel guy and prefer the minimum RPM to get a task done, my boat cruises best around 3500 RPM so it should last a good while.
Keep a multi-meter on your boat, I had a few electrical gremlins that it helped figure out.
Keep a multi-meter on your boat, I had a few electrical gremlins that it helped figure out.
mcmxi
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mcmxi
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Heck no! I live 5 minutes from one of the most popular ice fishing lakes in the valley but have managed to avoid it in the winter. I'm not a big fisherman to be honest. I had to Google downriggers since the boat comes with two!
I do enjoy hiking to a mountain lake and spending an hour or two with a spinner rod. I have one that breaks down and can be stashed on my pack.
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So I was waiting on confirmation on how the boat company wants to be paid and I just heard back that the owner wants cash. I find this more than a little odd that a cashier's check isn't acceptable even though it would be from a local bank, and the boat company will be storing the boat for me until early May. I'm not thrilled about the idea of driving down to the business with $37k in an envelope. If there's a problem with the boat I wouldn't know until I get it on the water in six months so it's not like I would stop payment on a cashier's check.
Reasons to want cash.
1. Knock me on the head and take the money
2. No record for tax purposes
3. Hide money from a significant other
4. Sell the boat twice!
5. Leaving the country
What am I missing here?
I spoke with the boat company and asked them to send me copies of the titles for the boat and trailer along with any supporting documentation, and a Bill of Sale. The girl I've been dealing with mentioned that the owner works with cash a lot and wants cash to pay Christmas bonuses to his employees. Regardless, I'd much rather hand over a cashier's check.
Reasons to want cash.
1. Knock me on the head and take the money
2. No record for tax purposes
3. Hide money from a significant other
4. Sell the boat twice!
5. Leaving the country
What am I missing here?
I spoke with the boat company and asked them to send me copies of the titles for the boat and trailer along with any supporting documentation, and a Bill of Sale. The girl I've been dealing with mentioned that the owner works with cash a lot and wants cash to pay Christmas bonuses to his employees. Regardless, I'd much rather hand over a cashier's check.
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Might not be the actual owner of the boat to begin with. It I don’t know…it’s just another option to go on the list.
I am not sure why along with a notarized title and bill of sale that an electronic transfer to sellers bank account would not be acceptable…seller can take as much or as little cash as they like.
mcmxi
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The boat rental place is a dealer for Landau pontoon boats and they're very familiar with the boat in question. They store it over the winter for the original owner, and have done regular maintenance on it too. They took it in on trade for a new pontoon boat, and the owner is known to be very anal and really looks after his things which is good for me. It's obvious from the condition of the boat that he took care of it.
I'll be heading down next week with the cash and am going to take a couple of measurements and take better photos to document the condition for my own records. I really like the aluminum tandem axle trailer that it comes with. It's in like new condition.
leveraddict
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mcmxi
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I received copies of titles for the boat and trailer that were signed over to the boat company. The HIN on the boat matches the title. The boat company even gave me the original owner's contact information and told me that he's ok with me calling him to ask questions.
Funnily enough the Bill of Sale stated the sale price as $30k so I called the woman I've been working with and thanked her for the nice Christmas present! After I explained the error she laughed and realized that she was going to break up the cost into the boat and the trailer, but at some point changed her mind and forgot to update the combined sale price.
I paid $19.99 for a HIN background check. It didn't reveal much other than when and where the boat was made, and where it had been registered/titled. Once in Iowa and once in Montana.
I've been doing some research on outboards and longevity. Supposedly 1,500 to 2,000 hours is considered to be the window for an overhaul or at least a compression test. Yamaha engineers have tested their engines to 20,000 hours and many have 4,000 to 6,000 hours on Yamaha engines without issue. It all depends on how they're used and how they're maintained which is obvious to say but nonetheless true. Basically, I should get at least 10 seasons out of this engine with proper maintenance.
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Ten seasons! Wouldn't you have to live on the boat to put 400 HRS a year on the engine?
Just as well sell your tractors. You won't have time to use them.
Just as well sell your tractors. You won't have time to use them.
mcmxi
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The engine has 250 hours on it. If I assume worst case of 1,500 hours of total engine life before an overhaul or replacement, that gives me 1,250 hours remaining. That would equate to 125 hours per season over 10 seasons which would mean close to sixteen 8-hour days on the water in a season which is considered to be very high usage up here (50 hours per year is high up here). Basically, I'm most likely going to expire long before the engine does, assuming that I take care of it, which I will.Ten seasons! Wouldn't you have to live on the boat to put 400 HRS a year on the engine?
Just as well sell your tractors. You won't have time to use them.
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My little fishing boat, a Smoker Craft and motor a 50 hp Mariner were made in 1985! Hours, who knows?Except for the paint being a bit dull they are good to go. The boat doesn't leak a drop. The engine is an old two stroke. It still pushes the boat hard. I looked at the new Smoker Crafts this year and all I can say is they don't make em like they used to! They look like a stripped-down model of mine although the hulls are still heavy duty!