Advice/opinion 1996 248 Voyager price

[CaptPete]

Hello Great Grady members,
I hope to be an owner of a Grady shortly, and am looking for advice/opinions on one I am looking at.
Here are the particulars: 1996 Voyager 248. It's powered by a 1996 Yamaha 250 2 stroke with approximately 350-400 hours. I have looked at the boat, and it appears in good condition. It has a Garmin 740s with radar. It also has a hard top. The owner is asking $24000. The boat is listed on Craigslist http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/5412168965.html. The owner has the listing at $26000, but stated he would take $24000. I've plugged the information into NADA and it came up with $22,600. Any thoughts on the price would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance

 

[family affair]

Considering the availability on the left coast, the price isn't bad as long as the boat and trailer are 100% sound. East coast that boat might go for closer to $20k or less.

IMO the two biggest issues are the carbed engine and the wood in the structure.
The carbureted 2 - stroke will be thirsty, smoke, and will spit and sputter at low rpm's. If you have only experienced a 4 - stroke outboard, that engine is a different animal. Don't get me wrong, it will likely be very reliable, but not as refined as modern engines.
Grady went to rot resistant plywood in '98. Make sure you or someone else checks out the transom, decks, and stringers to make sure water has not found its way in causing rot. The issue seemed to be more common on 80's Gradys, but is never the less possible on that model also.

Good luck!

 

[CaptPete]

Thanks Family Affair. I have been searching for awhile for a Grady and have been searching Craigslist on both coasts for price comparison. With supply being greater on the East coast, I've noticed lower prices. In fact, the owner bought this boat from Florida and had it shipped out. I also have a concern about the engine. I noticed that there is rust on the power trim motor casing. No where else that I could see, just there.

 

[family affair]

We bought ours out of Florida and hauled it home. Fun trip for us! Had it not checked out the story would have been a lot different.
Price out the rusted parts and labor. You might be able to negotiate a little more since Yamaha parts = crazy expensive.