It all depends upon where the boat was "sitting" for those years. Two stories. Several years ago, I had heard of a dealer in Miami that had 2 brand new 2008 212s for sale. The price was pretty damn good, such that if I was in Miami, they were worth a look. At the time, I had owned a 2 stroke LS2000 for many years, and wanted a 4 stroke. But as a careful shopper, I wasn't jumping on anything until it checked out. As luck would have it, I got scheduled to ref a Dolphins game in a few weeks. I called the dealer, and arranged a ride from the hotel, making sure I arrived earlier than normal that weekend. I viewed the 2 boats. They had been sitting outside, baking in the Miami sun, uncovered, in that dealer's lot since original delivery. At the 7 or 8 grand discount off the original price (it was a very good price at the time, for sure) there was no way I was going to buy either. The upholstery was burnt; the gel coat had faded. I thought "Are you kidding me?" No way a dealer should have kept these boats cooking in the lot for 3 years. Remember, this was Miami sun it was baking in. Nonetheless, I called a dealer/expert friend of mine who services my boats. He knew I was going to take a look at these boats, and was awaiting my phone call and photos. After review of my texted photos and discussion, he informed me unless I was prepared to sink about 10-12 grand into a "refreshing" of one of these 2008s, to run, not walk, away. I was pissed I wasted the time, and the anticipation looking forward to my new 212. Not only were the cosmetics screwed, my dealer buddy informed me of a ton of "little" things that would have to be done to the internals, to bring it back up to speed. This included annoying little things like replacing every clamp in the engine compartment, replacing hoses that had been baking for years, etc etc etc. The engines probably would have been fine, but all the stuff that wears would have to be replaced - solely because it was baking in the Miami heat for 3 years. So my answer to you is no way do I buy a "brand new" boat that has been sitting outside in a dealer's lot for years. Fast forward to 2013. I was still shopping - yep, I'm a picky buyer. Suddenly, there appeared on the "other" site, a 2008 SX230, which was purchased "new" by the original seller on the other site, in 2011. For reasons that don't matter, this guy was selling his boat. It had 26 hours on it, and since it was purchased "new" in 2011, it was still under warranty until Feb 2015. This, on a 2008. I bought the boat, sight unseen. The boat had been sitting in indoor storage, climate controlled, for 3 years, while the dealer was undergoing some sort of bankruptcy proceedings. The guy I bought it from got a great price on this 3 year old "brand new" 2008 SX230. His original price was so good, when he decided his family was too young for the boat (infants) he put the boat up for sale, for a price I could easily sell it for today. You are darn right I would buy a "brand new" boat that was several years old, so long as it was stored properly AND the price was right - a deep discount for the age. I haven't looked back and the boat hasn't given me one problem. Here is my advice. Buy used. There are so many options out there available. The market will be flooded with superb used Yamahas very soon as spring arrives. Sometimes folks buy these boats and never use them. Let someone else take the depreciation hit. Remember, any "brand new" boat you buy is going to be used the second it hits the water for the first time. The depreciation hit the second it hits the water I could not bear - and I can afford any boat I want. I bought a 5 year old Yamaha, that was practically brand spanking new, for a song. I could sell it this spring for what I paid for it in 2013, if not more. Don't be set on a particular model. I was going to get a 212 or a 230, whichever deal appeared first. I thought I would prefer a 212, but the 230 appeared and I snatched it up. Never looked back. Save your money. If someone offered me 22,000 for my perfect 08 SX230, my next stop would be in Kansas City, for this AR240.
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/5424916463.html
Again - go used, after doing your due diligence. But
@OrangeTJ ? Leave that leftover that looks to have been stored outside, to someone else.
Hee hee hee anyone want a pristine 2008 SX230 for 22K?
