I'm attempting to purchase our Research Vessel from my current employer. We aren't using it as much and the company is interested in disposing of the capital asset.

I am tasked with establishing a fair market value. Can you all post your thoughts on what this thing is worth (and what I should pay for it)? Here's the details:

2005 Wooldridge Offshore Sport, 20'
2008 Yamaha F150TXR, 800 engine hours
2006 Yamaha 4-stroke T8, about 100 engine hours
2008 King dual axle trailer
hydraulic steering
dual batteries with switch
electric bilge pump
2005 Raymarine E80 chart plotter, with DMS 300 depth sounder, Raystar 125GPS sensor

The hour meter has about 1300 hours on it, so this thing has seen something like 150 hours annually since we bought it in 2005. We use it primarily as a marine research vessel and, as such, it has gotten a lot of hard use. And by employees who don't usually care about taking care of their tools, if you get my drift.

It gets annual maintenance by the Three Rivers guys, so everything is well maintained.

Any suggestions on what I should pay for this package?

fool

Seems like to keep yourself out of a "conflict of interest" suit, you might want to consider having an independent party appraise it.

I have gotten information from boats.com about a recent comparable sale -- a 2006 Offshore Sport with a Yamaha 115 and a single axle EZ loader trailer. It only had 200 hours on the chassis/power plant and also included lots of other goodies. It sold for $26K.

I also got a free opinion of the value from Wooldridge Boats. They said it was worth mid-to-high $20's. The specific quote was "$20K all day long".

So, I'm doing my due diligence, but I wanted at least three versions/opinions.

fool

If you are a great employee, I'd just give it to you.

Cant help much with the current value but I bought the same boat a few years ago and love it. That one is a bit nicer with having a yamaha (mine has a honda), hydraulic steering, and tandem axle trailer.

With what I have into mine I would be happy to pay mid to high 20's for that boat.

Finally closed the deal on buying the boat from my employer.

I looked at several sources to establish market price for the boat, trailer, motors, and electronics.

I exchanged emails with a guy at boats.com. He found a 2006 Wooldridge, with the original 115 hp Yamaha, and the single axle EZ Loader trailer. It only had 200 hours on the chassis/engine. With a bunch of extras, it sold in Bellingham for $26.5K

I also exchanged emails with a salesman at Wooldridge Boats, where we originally bought this package. They concluded that is was also a mid-$20s value.

After very little negotiation, I offered and my employer accepted $15K.

Now I need to get new vinyl wrap and do a major housecleaning on the boat.

But, for now, I've just experienced one of the two happy days in a boat owner's life.

fool

Fifteen for that boat is a great deal. You will really enjoy that boat.

I think I followed you out of the Everett launch a few weeks back. If it was you, I'd look into some kind of trailering support for the 115.

It was bouncing around as you drove up Marine View drive.

15K was a steal..................or home run.Good luck,

SZ

Anyone claim that left chair yet? When are we going out?

sweeeeeeet