Finally after nearly a year, I posted the boat to Craigs list for sale. It had been my father’s and I was reluctant to let it go. A fellow called me late that night and wanted to see it. So the next morning he came. I told him I’d never taken it out in the water and had never started the motor but would be charging the battery and testing the motor that day if he wanted to come by later.

I could tell he wanted it. He wouldn’t leave. He faulted the motor and said he would have to put $800 into it because of what he saw. I told him I’d research his claims and he could check back with me later. He just wanted it for less money. The things he pointed out didn’t look like real problems to me. He tried to help me justify taking less by saying, “I buy it and you’re done with it.” I relented and he got it for less than I’d asked for which I am sure was much less than market value.

When we did the paperwork, he asked me to misrepresent the sales price by a third but I refused. Individuals do that in this state because when they license it the state charges an excise tax based on value and sales price.

He happily drove away with the boat, two motors, an engine stand, a fishing bag, and all the goodies that I could find that were boat-centric. Oar, fire extinguisher, lots of rope, bouy thing, Lowrance fish finder with manual, outcaster, canopy, air horn, anchor,

He called me the next morning to say that the main motor is frozen and he wants ‘help’ with it but he declined my offer to look it over.  He said he’d have to take it to a shop for repair but he wanted help with that.

Here’s the problem. The fellow who managed the estate assures me that the motor worked fine because he started it. I’ve kept it indoors in a garage for the last nine or ten months so I have reason to believe the motor was sound. The buyer already demonstrated his willingness to deceive for gain. The bill of sale says “As is where is”. He already expected to put “$800” into the motor. This sounds like a shake down. If he sold it at a profit the day he bought, I wonder if he’d have written me a check for part of the gain.