What is value of 4 year old canvas?

MonacoMike

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2009
14,721
Indiana lakes and Lake Michigan
Boat Info
2000 Cruisers 3870
8.2 Mercs
Engines
85 Sea Ray Monaco 197
260hp Alpha 1
We Are looking at a 410DA with newer camper canvas. I have an estimate to replace it with the color we want for $7k. I have a lead on a buyer for the used canvas, what is it worth?

MM
 
Mike, two things about selling something:

1. You can always lower your price but you can never raise it after you've made an offer.
2. Something you want to sell is only worth as much as a buyer is willing to pay.

Start high and be willing to drop your shorts if the buyer doesn't like your initial offer.

Good luck.

BTW, if the boat spends its life out in the sun, consider Stamoid fabric. I just had the entire fly bridge "canvas" and windows done in Stamoid, with EZ2CY on the front panels and strataglass on the side panels and a new Stamoid bimini for just of $8300.
 
Mike, two things about selling something:

1. You can always lower your price but you can never raise it after you've made an offer.
2. Something you want to sell is only worth as much as a buyer is willing to pay.

Start high and be willing to drop your shorts if the buyer doesn't like your initial offer.

Good luck.

BTW, if the boat spends its life out in the sun, consider Stamoid fabric. I just had the entire fly bridge "canvas" and windows done in Stamoid, with EZ2CY on the front panels and strataglass on the side panels and a new Stamoid bimini for just of $8300.

Thanks Mike, I get the big picture you describe. If I could get $3500 for the used I would likely do it. Is that in the reasonable range?

MM
 
The general rule of thumb is, 50% of retail for anything used, if it's in good condition. Your $3,500 selling price is pretty reasonable. You might have to adjust it a little depending on the offers being made, but I'd start there.

Make sure you have it in immaculate condition and list it with LOTS of close up pictures showing the details. This will increase your market to more than just local buyers. Hit Craigslist, post in multiple locations with long boating seasons.
 
Since no one asked yet - are you selling JUST the canvas with no framing? I think that is what everyone is assuming. I do a lot of custom tops and I would be VERY hesitant to make a frame for an existing canvas. That being said, it could really drive the price up for the buyer. Great Lakes boat tops, the manufacturer for most of the Sea Ray canvas, did make camper tops for the Sea Rays. I just finished re-covering one of their jobs. If yours is a Great Lakes top, the buyer should be able to purchase frame to order from them.

Also, I agree with the Stamoid recommendation. I have always been a Sunbrella fan, but have just finished two tops in Stamoid and they were awesome. Customers loved them.
 
Since no one asked yet - are you selling JUST the canvas with no framing? I think that is what everyone is assuming. I do a lot of custom tops and I would be VERY hesitant to make a frame for an existing canvas. That being said, it could really drive the price up for the buyer. Great Lakes boat tops, the manufacturer for most of the Sea Ray canvas, did make camper tops for the Sea Rays. I just finished re-covering one of their jobs. If yours is a Great Lakes top, the buyer should be able to purchase frame to order from them.

Also, I agree with the Stamoid recommendation. I have always been a Sunbrella fan, but have just finished two tops in Stamoid and they were awesome. Customers loved them.

Just canvas, no framing.

Not familiar with Stamoid I need to check it out. Why is it better?

MM
 
Mike, Stamoid is a fabric that has almost a plastic coating feel to it. It's not plastic, but it is a coated fabric. The thing I like about it is it doesn't fade if you're using a colored fabric, the coating makes it much easier to clean than Sunbrella, and it holds up well in the sun. I think it's probably stronger than Sunbrella so is less likely to tear in a high wind.

It will rip as I found out one day when we hot hit by a storm cell that blasted through our area with 70+ mph winds. We were on the river trying to get into the lee of the large trees on the shore but it tore the bimini.

If you're doing new canvas I'd recommend you take the time to find out someone who can work with Stamoid.
 
A different perspective:

I’d take $1000 for it, if that’s all they would pay, just to get it off my hands. What are you going to do with an old camper canvas? How long are you willing to love with it in your basement or garage?

If i were the buyer, no way would I buy a used canvas at half the price of new. Especially since it’s not going to snap right on...
 
A different perspective:

I’d take $1000 for it, if that’s all they would pay, just to get it off my hands. What are you going to do with an old camper canvas? How long are you willing to love with it in your basement or garage?

If i were the buyer, no way would I buy a used canvas at half the price of new. Especially since it’s not going to snap right on...

Thanks, but misunderstood, if I cannot get a good value for it I'll just use it, if I can get half or so I would sell it and get the color I want.

MM
 
Depending on the condition of the canvas the snaps can be drilled out and a new facing can be sewn over the canvas around the perimeter to hide any holes (and add reinforcement too). The new snaps locations could then be marked and placed as like it was new.

-Kevin
 
Depending on the condition of the canvas the snaps can be drilled out and a new facing can be sewn over the canvas around the perimeter to hide any holes (and add reinforcement too). The new snaps locations could then be marked and placed as like it was new.

-Kevin

Thanks Kevin, good input.

MM
 
My boat came with a Taylormade Fastback sitting on the floor in the aft cabin in its zipper canvas bag. I took it out of the bags and inspected it when I got it home. It’s in nice shape. I don’t think they make them anymore.
I have no use for it so I put it up in my garage attic storage space where it still sits. I trip over it anytime I’m up there, but since I know it must have some value I leave it there.
Too bulky and heavy to ship so selling it isn’t an attractive option.
My advice: Take the first offer you get and get rid of the thing before you wind up like me and end up tripping over something you’re never going to use.
 

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