Parker 1800 value

[jondavies]

Longtime admirer of Parkers, first time poster.

I'm in the market for a boat and I came across a 1991 Parker 1800 that matches most of things I'm looking for. However, the price seems very high for the age and condition. I'm trying to rationalize buying the boat but I need to be realistic about what it's worth. Any help would be appreciated.

The boat comes with an aluminum T top and is clean with no obvious structural defects (no damage to the hull, no spider cracks etc.) but it has some cosmetic issues with the trim (nothing serious). It comes with an 1991 85HP Yamaha 2 stroke that needs a good tune up. It has the 40HP fuel tank. Electronics are 7-8 years old so no value there. It sits on a double axle galvanized trailer that is structurally sound but needs an overhaul and probably new lights.

A general ballpark figure on the value would be very helpful. I'd love to own the boat and repower it at some point but the price has to be right. TIA.

 

[windknotnc]

The biggest drawback is the 85hp engine. What is a 40HP tank? I thought that boat came with a below deck tank probably 40 gallons but Parker switched to a 60 gallon sometime in the very early 90's. Regardless, 40 gallons may be a limiting factor if you plan to repower and take any long runs. In NC that boat would probably sell around $8000. Motor- $1000, Trailer, $1000, Balance in the hull.

 

[jondavies]

Thanks very helpful info. I meant 40 gallon tank not HP.

I'm guessing the motor gets just under 3 mpg so it would have approximately 100 mile range with the tank. Does that seem like a reasonable guess?

 

[Megabyte]

The location of the boat has a lot to do with it's value, real or perceived.
For instance, a west coast boat is generally priced higher than what you would find in the east.
Northeastern boats generally have lower hours on them than say... a Florida boat, due to the shorter seasons up north.

Bottom line... we could all take a stab at valuing this boat, but if we don't know where it is (and where you are), we would all be guessing.
Take the time to go to your 'user control panel' (link at the top of the page), and enter your location in the 'Location' field.
That way others in your general area can help. Without it, all we're doing is guessing.

 

[jondavies]

Good point. It's in Southern California, so it's going to fetch a bit of a premium.

The seller is currently at $9500. Even for So Cal, that seems very high. NADA Guide lists the hull at around $3000 so the total blue book value would be around $5000. The looming need for a repower (a new Honda 90 will run about $10,000 installed ) and the limited size of the fuel tank are my major concerns.

Thanks again.

 

[Noahs_Ark]

Remember...boats are not flying off the lots! Negotiate...Cash is KING, if you have it, you will get the boat that you want...with a patients of course.

 

[atlanticbeach]

1991 is still a good hull as I have a 1992 that my son and I are completely restoring. I paid $6800 for mine 5 years ago with a Yamaha 115 2 stroke. Sold the motor, sold the trailer, and stripped it and cut the floor and replaced the tank and started back from there. I will have a cadillac boat when done as we have customized the hell out of it. (currently installing fresh water tank in console where we already have installed a dual battery tray made from poly board while also having the cooler option as well inside the console to take up room)

Sorry, got on a rant. Anyway, make sure the floor has no soft spots. Anything rigged back then was done usually without regard to sealing end grain wood and that is nothing but a sponge. Tank was an easy replacement if you are handy, not so much if you are not. New tank was not expensive, it was the time and labor to cut the floor and replace it and make it better than when it was built. Parker did not seal the underside of the floors on some models so check that out. Old fuel fill and vent hoses are a nightmare to replace if not down right impossible.

I am currently doing the same thing to a 21 Deep V and we are about 25% into it. Just do you homework and get the price much lower. That is too high for the year no matter the condition.

Feel free to PM me and I will give you my number and you can ask away.

 

[jondavies]

Wow you're doing a heck of a job on that boat. Sadly, that's way beyond my skills.

I just came across an 1801 for sale in San Diego for $13K (no year or hours listed make it hard to judge value):

On the other hand, I'm very tempted by this 2002 Edgewater 185 with 250 hours for $16k:

 

[atlanticbeach]

go for the Parker. I have owned a lot of boats, and still have a few( eight of them-Kencraft, Regulator,etc.) and the Parker has great resale where you are and the Edgewater, not so much. I would snap up and 1801 if the deal is good. You can use it for a long time and still get most of your money back.

 

[TeeKay]

Hello,

I'm from souther Cali also and this past October I bought a 1994 2100. Has a yammie 150 two stroke and dual axel pacific trailer also. I know you're looking for the value of an 18 footer but I picked up my 21 for 10k in Santa Barbara. Owner was asking 13,200 but the boat was siting for 2 years and needed a new sea star ram and that's it. The trailer could use an overhaul also and the boat was just dirty from sitting eventhough it had a cover on it. Cleaned it up nice, fixed the steering and the boat runs great. The 18 you're looking should be a some what less than what the owner is asking and if it's been for sale for some time the owner should be a little more motivated as the seller of my boat was. Hopefully this helps with the location and price range.

-Tom

 

[BradH]

If the motor is a throwaway ( or close to it), think about repower cost and how that compares to a newer package. A good Yam 115 2s is 5-6k, plus rigging. If you do it yourself you can save a little money, but there's still things like steering and fuel lines, and then some random stuff. So that's 500-1k.

I'd try to get it for 3-5k, depending on the condition and life left on the motor. For comparison, I picked up a 91 1700 with a 06 115 2s for 7k.

You'll be surprised how little insurance companies think 20 yr old small boats are worth. I had to justify my hull at 3k and engine at 6k.

 

[jondavies]

Thanks for all the advice. Everything seems to confirm my gut feeling about that Parker. The same applies to this 1801, which is offered for at a dealership in San Diego for $13k:

The year is unspecified and the dealer doesn't know the hours on the motor so there are a lot of question marks. It looks clean and has a lot of extras but it doesn't add up to anywhere near what they want for it.

 

[Grutus]

I have a 1998 1800cc Parker and bought is for a great price and guy that I bought it from got it from someone on the East coast for $10,500 and I live in San Diego. I would take your time and look for a 1801 four stoke engine and I see them posted on this web site and I think it would be worth the drive to get the boat that you really want. Mine has a 60 gallon tank and I have been told 1/3 out and 1/3 back and 1/3 in reserve and you will never have to be towed back. Check the compression and find out when the last time the engine was serviced. Good luck in finding the perfect boat.
Grutus

 

[jondavies]

Thanks - sound advice indeed.

I just spoke to the seller of the original Parker and told him as tactfully as possible that, even at $7500, I would be paying a fair bit more than the boat was worth. We agreed to disagree.

 

[Mike S]

With the age and unknowns on the Parker 1800 the OP asked about, I would caution that you are actually buying a hull. A very good hull. I agree that $5k - $6k is a good price.

I am on the West Coast and own an 2001 Parker 1801 with tandem axle trailer and a 2003 115 Yamaha 4 stroke. I purchased this boat for $13K on the East Coast with new hydraulic steering and just over 500 hours on the engine. It was surveyed sound and fully functional before I went to the East Coast to test run and buy the boat. This is a fair price, but not a 'bargain'. After using it for about a year, there have been zero problems with the boat.

I have also made a lot of changes and upgrades to the boat - electronics, custom Offshore 30 gallon bait tank/leaning post, trolling motor, re-wire, RW washdown, replacing & relocating battery banks, etc. - total cost of parts and labor maybe $10K.

Having thus overspent on the boat, I have a very nice little skiff that might be worth $16 - $17k here on the West Coast. But I do not intend to sell it, so I am not worried a bout resale.

 

[jondavies]

Update: The 1801 pictured above at the dealership in San Diego is a 1992 hull and motor, with 802 hours on the clock. It's supposedly been garage stored and looks almost new with a pretty good electronics package but $13k is still a stretch.