Brand New, still in wrapper, WM by Zodiac inflatable Price Reduced

Jan and I volunteer one day each week at a homeless outreach center in Ballard. Jan typically works in the men's clothing section and I'm the greeter/bouncer/authoritative presence at the door.

We just picked up a unique donation, and we want to convert this into cash to buy backpacks and sleeping bags for people who are down on their luck and sleeping outdoors.

Donated was a literally brand new 9' 6" "West Marine by Zodiac" HP-4 dinghy with a high pressure inflatable floor. The donor purchased the boat, on sale, a few years ago and before ever using it just put it into storage. The donor wasn't even sure what model it was, so as I opened the carrying case and unrolled the boat I noticed that the plastic is still wrapped around the transom, etc. There's never been air in any of the tubes. The boat has never been wet. It's never really been entirely out of it's case. There are some aluminum oars, a patch kit, and a foot pump- and the foot pump is still sealed in shrink wrap.

When I checked the current West Marine web site, it appears that they no longer offer this particular boat. It looks like they have turned to a cheaper supplier and no longer get their boats from Zodiac. I noticed several features missing on the model currently offered by WM, (such as the metal reinforcement fitting on the top of the transom). So, a similar, brand new but downgraded dinghy from West Marine is offered for $1299.

I found a reference on line that stated the retail price for a new HP-4 dinghy was $1799. That seems consistent with what the donor told me, she said she thought they got it on sale for around $1600.

Anyway, before turning to Craigslist I thought I'd see if anybody in the club is looking for a pretty super deal on a brand new, but no longer current model (and almost certainly out of warranty) inflatable. If it retailed for $1800 new, sold on sale for $1600, and has never been used at all it's most likely still worth $975 to somebody, somewhere.