Ebay Rookie Gamble May Harvest A Deal. Or Not.
In the Chris Craft section of ebay today there are two listings of, well two Chris Crafts. One a Riviera and the other a Deluxe Runabout. OK, that seems normal enough, except, the seller clearly has no idea what he is selling, nor how to sell them on ebay. OK, that’s not the end of the world. And not a huge deal, since the boats tell the truth in the end, it’s just up to you to figure it out. Now this is where it gets fun and interesting. Is this a clever way to suck you into a fun road trip barn find deal? Thats half the fun of such trips. What is it, is it really a 5200 bottom?
The Chris Craft logo looks a little off?
Same seller, in Pennsylvania
Is it possible that in this digital age where you can diagnose a disease on the web, you cant figure out what classic boat you own? I guess. So, this could be your opportunity to use what you know to score a real bargain if in deed the 5200 bottom is real. We advise on these two listings that you not go alone, you take a restorer with you, your future X wife, maybe a priest, your psychiatrist, and you go over those boats with a microscope so you know what your getting into. HERE ARE THE LINKS BELOW
Ebay Listing Riviera thats not a Riviera Here
Ebay Listing For the Deluxe Thats Really A Riviera
Confused? Me too, And on this crisp Saturday, Happy Header Day!
Nice!
Same seller, same location. Heck you might as well make this guy an offer on both boats. Volume Discount!
If everyone took your advice and brought professionals to help them make an informed decision, 90% of old boats would never get sold. It is important to go into these things with your head firmly in the sand. Just make sure you have a good shovel to dig yourself out of whatever hole you find yourself in when you do the post buy inspection.
Not know what boat you own? Well, not that surprising actually.
I have been researching the Greavette Sunflash model for over ten years. I have found most people have no idea what they have. It’s disinformation passed on from one unknowing/unsure owner to the next. Even people that have access to family members that DO know don’t bother to get the facts (or check them).
This may be different with well documented boats like Chris Craft but, unless someone actually puts in an effort… ignorance abounds.
It is coincidence that the story on incompetent EBAY listings is published the same day as I list the Prerestoic 1923 Hacker and a 1939 Gar Wood split cockpit? I only resemble some of those remarks!
Where would I find those new listings?
if thats a 5200 bottom, i dont think they followed dons book! it appears that there is spacing (drying?) between the bottom planks, my understanding a 5200 bottom (not finished mine yet) is that the rubber expands while curing through the seams, then trimmed followed by interlux bottom system, then paint, the seams should almost disapear .
Gotta love it. The Deluxe/Riviera is listed as an inboard/outboard. Really?
i have a deluxe runabout and there is no mistaking one, I messaged the guy and told him the year of the deluxe listing was wrong. he thanked me but never changed it. looks like a well done refinish and all the hard work done.
Since both are listed by the same guy, it looks like he either got the pictures swapped, or the headings swapped. The big question is, if you win the auction, do you get the boat listed in the header? Or do you get the boat in the pictures?