going to see a boat for sale

Bring cash and make your offer. Did you check the weight? Is it just the splash guard that is painted? The worst that can happen is a big no. But most likely a counter offer might be made in which case you may have to decide if you want to spend more. If you are patient, another $450 Sunfish may turn up.
 
The $10 bills is a mistake.No one wants to stand there counting out 45 or 65 $10 bills. You should bring $450 in large bills, then the rest in 20's. That way if you negotiate a different price you can make up the difference with the 20's.
 
I noticed some points you can use for negotiation. Looks like there is at least one repair in the sail. Possibly the deck has been painted, there seems to be a little bit of blue showing on the coaming. Since it has been painted, look for fiberglass repairs.

Good Luck,

BrainCorrel
 
The deck was absolutely painted. Early 70s boats had deck racing stripes and this one doesn't, so it has been painted. There are lots of baots in NE so if this isn't good enough, another will come along.
 
Check the spars for bends or splices, esp around gooseneck. Also splits in the rudder around hardware holes. Cash is good for negotiating, and being able to take it before another buyer shows up :)
 
Thanks for the great points guys! Keeps me on my toes. Certainly looks better than most of the stuff available in the area for the price. As long as it is just minor stuff, I will probably still buy. I am actually buying in time to take to a large 5 mile lake in central Maine. As long as there isn't a pile of parts I need and I can get it in the water in Maine, I am happy. As for the sail, I did notice that one spot. If it turns out true I will let sailcraftri know so I can get a decent used one. I'm not too worried about salt water use, as the seller lives on a small lake, but I will certainly check into it since the boat is so close to the ocean. In the mean time I will keep bargain hunting though.
 
If it is that close to the ocean it probably has been in salt water before. Salt water doesn't really hurt the hull that bad, other than corroding the metal bailer cap permanantly closed. I have yet to see a Sunfish with a metal bailer that still works.

The main problem is the mast and spars will get corroded if they didn't get washed off after sailing in salt water. Ihave actyakly seen a mast that was so corroded it had holes in it.

With that paintjob on it chances are it has had some fiberglass repair. If they did it right you won't be able to find it. If they didn't the repairs will be very obvious.
 
If it is that close to the ocean it probably has been in salt water before. Salt water doesn't really hurt the hull that bad, other than corroding the metal bailer cap permanantly closed. I have yet to see a Sunfish with a metal bailer that still works.
sort of off-topic, but my mid-1960's Sunfish had the metal bailer, and it opened and closed just fine. but being in Michigan, it probably never saw any salt water.

OP, have you been keeping an eye on craigslist to know what Sunfish have been going for in your area? if you feel it's a good deal, I'd go for it. after you weigh it, if it is heavy - you certainly can use that to discount the price.

good luck,
tag
 
sort of off-topic, but my mid-1960's Sunfish had the metal bailer, and it opened and closed just fine. but being in Michigan, it probably never saw any salt water.

OP, have you been keeping an eye on craigslist to know what Sunfish have been going for in your area? if you feel it's a good deal, I'd go for it. after you weigh it, if it is heavy - you certainly can use that to discount the price.

good luck,
tag
I think it is the "going rate" in New England. Lots of trashy boats on the market though. For some reason, summer starts and everyone digs out their junk and sells it for a few hundred. At least I know this one was in use. He even replaced all the lines this season. Something about a boat in someones backyard propped up on sawhorses and covered in dirt scares me.
 

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