View Full Version : Ok, how would i go about doing this?
Walleye Wisdom
03-18-2002, 09:51 PM
I want a new boat, pretty badly. Now new to me means a used one. Right now i have a 12 foot w/ a carborationally challenged 1960 5.5 Sea Horse. I need a 14 foot boat for more space. I want one pretty badly, but the funds aren't really there for me right now. But i have this crazy idea. here in iowa, farmers have everything in there yards. From tractors to enough old cars to look like a cuban town, and they all always seem to have a boat, somewhere in the mix. And you can tell that that boat hasn't seen the water since they figured out how to make fire. So if i wanted this boat, and trust me, if you saw the thing, you would laugh your arse off, but to me, she's a diamond in the rough. How would i go about asking the owner of this potenial walleye killing machine about buying his boat? Also, i see a lot of other boats like this just laying around, would it be too much to just go door to door and ask people about there boats? Thanks a bunch!
Brushpile
03-18-2002, 10:30 PM
Grab the bull by the horns.
Go knock on the door. The worst thing they could do is say no. OR go to the nearest town, walk into the cafe at noon and start asking questions. Every body knows everybody. Could come up with a name them get his number from the book and give him a call.
Good luck-- ya won't know til ya ask.
I know where there is an 18 ft, fiberglass Made by Pipestone marine. It carries a 25 hp Force that is notorious for not running,and sits on a homemade trailer. The boat will take any rough water that is out there. My dad bought the boat new in 1969. I had it from 1974 till 1996, and never had any trouble, till I loaned it to a guy, and he backed it into shore and broke the 15 horse Sea King off at the transom, Hence the 25 Force. I traded it to a guy in 96 for about $400 worth of labor, and I know he still has it sitting in the grove somewhere but not sure of the condition. I can check it out if you'd like. It is in Iowa also. If he has not had it tipped up so the water runs out of it, you may not want it, but if its tipped up, there should be nothing wrong with it. Other than the motor being a POS
There are plenty of boats like that out there, since everyone seems to be in the newer/bigger/better mode. Keep checking around.
Rocketman
03-19-2002, 05:56 AM
People like that must believe in the old saying. "There are two great days in a boat owners life, the day he buys his boat,and the day he sells it". I say go make his other great day !!!
Happy fishing!!!
Brian Price
Juls_WI
03-19-2002, 06:05 AM
If you don't want to knock on the door, or go through the trouble of asking the regulars down at the coffee shop, simply leave a note in their mailbox with your contact information. If they are looking to sell the boat, they will call you.
Good luck! I have a feeling you'll have your "new" boat soon!
Juls
You could also put an ad at the local post office and bank stating that you would be willing to haul any boat away free or for the price of any paperwork involved and give a new home, might work, good luck i hope you get your boat.
Tom}>
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I have done this before and been denied a couple of times but all you can do is ask. Friends of mine have purchased boat by this method. Some people are willing to talk and others get a little ticked once in awhile.
Anything that has weeds growing over it is prime opportunity.
Dman
It never hurts to ask. As a goose hunter, I stop by plenty of local farmers houses and ask if I can goose hunt. Slob hunters make it alittle harder, but I still get permisson on a few. Here's a few of my little asking rules after being declined may times.
Not all may be applicable to you, but this is how I do it.
1) I never make Sunday calls on the farmers. Just a respect thing and if I have permission I always inquire about Sunday hunting.
2) I always stop during daylight ours and never around meal times. It just gives the farmer a better chance to assess me from his porch.
3) I usually appologize for disturbing him/her in my opening dialog. Being polite and respectful is not just the way I was brought up, but it does get you places.
4) If given permission or denied, I leave a bio of myself and contact info with them. It may sound corny, but now the farmer can see me as a neighbor that lives nearby(my address) and not just a passerby. On the bio I have a picture of myself and my newphew, mention my commitment to the enviroment, ethical practices etc. I've had more then 1 denial turn into permission by getting a call from the farmer later.
Good luck with that boat, let us know what happens.
Peanut
03-19-2002, 08:32 AM
I'd agree - go and ask - you never know, and trying costs you nothing. Also, when you go - bring cash. If you gotta go home, get a cheque, stop by the bank tomorrow, etc. it makes it easier to say no.
It's alot tougher to say no when staring at cash.
If the one you've seen is not for sale - put a little add in the paper - wanted: 14' boat, any shape, with or without motor. You may be surprised how many guys will sell, but just won't take the time to initiate a sale. Again, with this method, your costs will be minimal.
Best of luck.
derrek.
CANADIAN WALLEYE OPEN UP AND SAY "EH"!
A buddy of mine has a descent little 14' for sale with a 9.9 merc on it. Email me if your interested.
Also, just a note. I used to knock on every farmers door that had a snowmobile in the yard. I've purchased over 25 snowmobiles in this fashion. Many times the farmer gave them to me just to haul them away. Cash is the only form of payment!
You can also go to your county registrar and get a listing of all the 14' boats that were registered for a particular period and start calling. This is how I found Rupp Snowmobiles galore.
Good luck - this can be kinda fun! I also used this as a way of getting to know the landowners in areas that I wished to hunt.
Travis J.
If price is a problem, consider trading something. Perhaps your old 12 footer? Some labor? Something you don't have a use for anymore? Anyway, don't hesitate to ask. As it is said, "ask and you shall receive." You'd think with a formula like that more people would ask.