Two used boats in the boats personal watercraft market sit at opposite ends of the price spectrum: one is listed at $4,000, and the other at $10,000. That $6,000 gap frames a simple decision-do you want a ready-to-use older package or a much newer hull?
Quick verdict: The 1985 Sunrunner is the pick if you want the ready-to-use older package. The 2015 Carolina Skiff is the pick if you want a much newer hull.
Comparison at a glance
| 1985 Double Haul Sunrunner Boat | 2015 Carolina Skiff Boat | |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 4,000.00 | USD 10,000.00 |
| Price bar | ||
| Year | 1985 | 2015 |
| Make | Sun Runner | Carolina Skiff |
| Condition | Used | Used |
| Notable details | Trailer, cockpit cover, spare tire | 8-person capacity, new battery, greased steering column |
Where each product wins
Where the 1985 Sunrunner wins
The Sunrunner wins on price and completeness. The listed package includes the supporting gear you would otherwise need to chase down before launch, which makes the transition from buying to boating less complicated. For a buyer who wants a single purchase rather than a long shopping list, this is the simpler route.
Where the 2015 Carolina Skiff wins
The Carolina Skiff wins on newer age and a fishing-friendly layout. The 2015 hull is 30 years newer than the Sunrunner, and the forward fishing engine gives the boat a clear purpose for anglers. If your priority is fishing with a group, this newer hull is the stronger starting point.
Product notes
1985 Double Haul Sunrunner
This 1985 Sunrunner is the lower-priced way into the water. It is a fiberglass bowrider with a cream hull and retro brown graphics, and it comes with a white canvas bimini/cockpit cover plus a single-axle roller trailer that has a spare tire on the tongue. The cream hull and retro brown graphics are a visual plus for anyone drawn to classic styling, and the canvas cover helps protect the interior when the boat is not in use. The seller describes it as a turnkey package, and the boat is registered with Washington state bow numbers. If you want a used boat with fewer extra pieces to source, the included trailer and cover make this a strong candidate. The trade-off is age: this is a 1985 hull, so you are taking on an older boat regardless of how complete the package looks.
2015 Carolina Skiff
This 2015 Carolina Skiff is the newer, higher-priced option. It comes with a new battery, a greased steering column, and a stated capacity of 8 people. It also has a fishing engine in front, which suits buyers who plan to fish from the bow. With the new battery already installed and the steering column greased, those maintenance items are already addressed. The boat is 30 years newer than the Sunrunner, and that newer platform is the main appeal: you are getting a hull built in 2015 rather than 1985. The higher price is the trade-off, so it makes sense if you value newer age and group capacity over a lower outlay. Group fishing trips are a natural fit given the forward fishing engine and the 8-person capacity.
Final choice by use case
Choose the 1985 Double Haul Sunrunner if you want a ready-to-use older package and are comfortable with a 1985 fiberglass hull.
Choose the 2015 Carolina Skiff if you want a much newer hull and have room in your budget for the higher-priced boat.
