[jherbert]

Hello, I'm a new member looking at this site because we are in the market for our first boat. We are currently looking at a 20' Shabah with only 38 hours on it. It has been stored indoors and the boat looks like it's in great condition. Any advice about specifics to ask about/look at with the boat? They're asking $14,900 (incl. trailer). Too much?

[Phlorida]

Check it out for yourself at New Car Prices, Used Car Values, New Car Reviews & Car Buying Guides - NADAguides.com Official Site and select boats. Use that price plus the value of the trailer to get a good estimate. Considering that the last year that boat was made was 2001 38 hours is amazing (and hopefully accurate.) Good luck.

[jherbert]

Thanks. The site also helps a new boat owner (me) in identifying what certain boats have...

[Phlorida]

The accessories will swing the price a lot so list them on the NADA site if you know them. It is cool that the boat has such a limited number of hours but I am sure that MikeyT and the other bright technical guys will offer some warnings about what to look for. Boats like to be used and that boat has averaged only four hours of use annually in its lifetime - it has done alot of sitting.

[mikeyt]

I never know how much to believe the hour meters cuz they get changed/unhooked....etc. That 38 hrs may be on a new/replacement engine. Condition is the deciding factor here along with an 'on the water' test. Make sure all the switches/gauges/blower/trim/tilt etc work properly, check the level & color of the oil, ask for any & all service records to determine how often, where & the most recent servicing was done, ask about whether she was winterized, specifically ask if the seller is aware of any mechanical or electrical problems with the boat and again, make the sale contingent on a water test.

btw....Welcome aboard! When you get a moment, dont forget to 'pin' yourself on our Member Map. See the link under "Community" above.

[Dredd]

Not that it's impossible but it is somewhat doubtful that that amount of hours is accurate. That's a season, or two extremely light ones at most. Maybe if you can find the brand of the hour meter someone here can tell you if it's factory or not...? I know that Mariah used Fariah gauges but, the earlier smaller boats didn't have factory hour meters. If they did add them on the later models I'm not sure what brand they may have been or where they may have been installed.

If it's a one-owner boat and the hours are correct it explains why the price, in my opinion, seems a little high.

Edit: Second time you've beat me to the Submit button tonight, MikeyT! Basically I'm sayin I agree with you but since I typed all this out before reading your post I'm leavin' it.