Picking Boats by the Side of the Road - What Does 'Free' to $10K Get You and Used Boat Prices Rant!

There's no such thing anymore as a "cheap" used boat unless your definition of cheap means a beater that needs a lot of work. Not that long ago, a $50k new boat depreciated as soon as it left the lot and in 2 to 4 years, you could pick that boat up for $25k.

Today, we look at 6 boats listed for sale on the side of the road in Eastern Long Island. 4 of them are free; 1 of them is $5k; and 1 $10k. This may sound like bargains, but they all look like they will need extensive work (with the possible exception of the $5k boat) before you can get them out on the water.

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[TheStephenspann]

The imperial’s 3.0 stern drive motor is actually a 4 cylinder. Sort of like a “big block” 4 cylinder

[Johnfor]

That first boat put a engine bracket on the back and hang a pair of outboards on it! you would have a killer fishing boat!

[GormanRepairs]

I'm alittle late to the show here, but in the early spring I called and tried to take the 24' Penn Yan from POE. He said sure just arrange the haul out of here or trailer and come in and I'll sign over the transferable regi, so I arranged the haul and everything, then I called and called and called and they kept saying he wasn't in the office or he was at lunch and he'll call me right back, so I basically got ghosted. They were giving it away for free with the other few boats but just wouldn't let me take it basically. It's a shame too beause the hull was solid and the engine had all good looking fluids. I know I could have brought it back to life. And all 4 of those free boats are still just sitting there to this day... It's amazing they can;t even give away boats!

[rachelthompson]

As kids playing on Barnegat bay we never paid for a boat. Most fall seasons a few people would grind the numbers off, stirp the hulls of handwear, and send them adrift. Free boats washed up into the marshes regularly-- take your pick. I've also seen driveway boats get cut up with chainsaws because the owners were stuck with them and needed it gone. My HS barn fires were all made of wooden boats.

[FishingwithCristina]

14:50 And it comes with vintage toilet😂 If I lived near there I will get that boat beautiful thank you for sharing it with us.

[johnm]

I’m seeing a lot of the over priced boats not moving. I’ve been watching Craigslist for a long time and I’m seeing things from May and June still unsold.We May have entered the time period that these sellers might have missed the proverbial boat.Cant blame them for continuing to try but—at whatever point if they really want to sell them they are gonna have to come back down to earth.

The 4 boats you found all must’ve came from Port of Egypt cleaning out their dead racks.”Will”— I believe is the owners Son.
That aluminum boat would be a good project boat at $2000–The other one will get picked up for $3500 and at that price someone could find the motivation to clean it up.

Bottom line—in order to correct”HYPER-INFLATION” everyone needs to STOP paying these ludicrous asking prices.Plain and simple—don’t let a machine make you do stupid things

[williamtukeyjr]

Very enjoyable. All could be fixed, I think, except the Imperial which could go to ther dump. That last Grady probably needs a new floor because those back-to-back seats tear up the plywood floor and the wooden stringers underneath. I think it would take a 115 Yamaha 4 stroke ok.

[dannyv]

After seeing these, I don’t feel bad for listing mine at $30k

[rachelthompson]

Once while jogging in my hood I stopped to rest. There was a 43 foot sale boat, fixed keel, blocked up in this guy's yard. he said it had a good 4cyc Volvo in it and new sails. He was selling the house so the boast was free. I didn't take it. Same issues, no place to park it. Nice lawn ornament but my yard was already landscaped.

[mrhanky]

I think seeing that thing for $10k I’ve lost all hope in getting a boat

[TheFishingMommy]

It’s hard for me to imagine what in the world would make that first boat worth…uh, anything?
Those Gradys are a good deal for free, haha. I love Overnighters; I had one myself. The transom takes work of course but it’s gotta be easier without an engine in place.

[captpepin]

Free boats are very expensive I think the $5k boat is the "Bargain" of the group. I had a 20 Overnighter 30 years ago. I hope your issue is not your fuel tank.

[Jevinrude_dude]

I go past those boats every day the ones in the snail. I go pastors every day because they live in that town.

[TheStephenspann]

The proline’s Mercury is really and old Chrysler engine.

[Steve-qohi]

I believe its missing an engine and transmission -ha ha ha

[sapelesteve]

Interesting video John. I guess if one is looking for junk, or has very limited funds, any of those boats would fit the bill.

[og]

Get John to give you the address of that scrape yard he just visited . leave that the info to the guy thats trying to sell scrap aluminum along the side of the road .

[captpepin]

John boating stupidity on hyperdrive is ending. Supply on Engines is finally catching up you can get 300 Suzukis with about a 2 month wait it was quoted as a year 3 months ago. The 30 years mortgage on a home is over 6%, free money supporting the marginal boat buyer is done. Covid boats are going up for sale and high fuel prices have caused people to have second thoughts on boats. I don't know what the "New Normal" is in boating but buying a mid-tier boat and using it for 2 years selling it with 300 hours at a profit is done. These prices have essentially priced out any blue collar boater. The cost of a new 23 Regulator loaded with a trailer is now a Quarter million!!!

[duffmeister]

$10000. There on Drugs ! I see countless amounts of boats sitting in yards and businesses rotting away ! I’m on my forth boat, several canoes and kayaks, motorcycles, and I admit I loss interest in them, but I sell them right away. I wish people wouldn’t let these boats get wasted, they were nice when they bought them, a properly keep boat can last a long time, and make a lot of people happy. But thanks for the video, I really like these videos that you do, maybe get into it a little more, my 2013 GW 180 with 147 hours and a new trailer might be worth more than I paid? In my town it’s illegal to put vehicles for sale on the roadside. ( maybe that’s why I see so many sitting in peoples yards ). Thanks.

[robertp]

The last Grady is probably a 19 ft, runabout type.