$1,500 for a barely used Hyside - Wow! Depending on the answers to a few questions, this could be a FANTASTIC deal.
Was the boat used when rubberpusher bought it in 2002?
What model Hyside is it?
What kind of shape is the boat REALLY in?
This isn't meant as a slam on rubberpusher, but just a suggestion that you may want to inspect the boat or have someone else check it out before sending the check. From my experience you have to be careful about buying boats sight unseen (from his name, does the guy move used rubber for a living?). If a boat's only been used twice and he's only asking $1,500, its almost too good to be true and you should be careful with this deal. There have been some scams recently with people selling "new" rafts on e-Bay at outrageously low prices - the only trouble was that the boats weren't new, they were imaginary. See:
http://boatertalk.com/forum/RaftZone/704404
Rubberpusher's also working Raftzone to sell his boat (as I did when I sold my boat last spring).
http://boatertalk.com/forum/RaftZone/709735
An example of someone to be wary of is a guy from CA advertising used Hysides for about $1100 - $1500. He posts photos of sweet shiny boats, then shows up with outfitter-thrashed filthy Hysides that he must pick up wholesale or on their way to the dump. The guy has a profit margin that makes it worth his while to buy the boats in CA, bring to CO in his minivan, sell them around the state and head back for more.
If rubberpusher's legit, its a great deal and you should jump on it. Even if he's moving boats from wholesale to retail (like the guy above), if what he's selling is in good shape and is only a couple of years old, its still a good deal. If he's selling thrashed boats that are at the end of their life or empty promises, its a bummer.
Not sure how you'd find out for sure, possibly have someone you trust check out the boat first-hand. Make sure you inflate the boat and check for blown baffles. There may be a rafter you could get in touch with near rubberpusher that could check it out for you (hook up with someone through the GCPBA list? pay a nearby AZ outfitter $100 to check it outfor you?). Even if you pay someone $100 to go check out the boat, then spend that much on shipping its still a great deal if the boat's in good shape.
There's a good chance that rubberpusher is a one-boat seller with a barely used boat. If so jump on it after you're sure things are on the up and up.
Rubberpusher, I hope that you're not offended by my raising these questions and there are no bad feelings but unfortunately there are some bad apples out there that mess up things for the rest of us.
--Andy
