Resale value of newish vs oldish boats?

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by thomm225

Exactly!

So if you spend $2,000-$6,000 dollars on one of these type boats that is still in good condition and sail it for a few years, what difference does it make if you have to give it away?

A decent new dodger costs around these prices. My $2,000 boat came with a dodger and bimini attachment

I've been sailing this one 6 years .........................while still working and looking around for another while at the same time learning that cruising can be a bit slow and boring

You can spend $200,000 to learn this or $6,000

If you have 6K in it and have gotten six years, she does not owe you a nickel.

[HankOnthewater]

Originally Posted by fursoc

Why would I easily lose $25k on the $155k boat? And why will it cost more to store, haulout, etc?

Thanks.

The loss of $25k for a $155k boat.... I was referring to your 1st example a 36 ft Hunter that is less than 10 years old. The deprecation for such boat is or can still be considerable. Furthermore, to think one can sell such boat for the same price as it was purchased..... is (I think) wishful thinking, and on that Hunter (1st example) I think it would be prudent, that is if one likes doing the figures and a budget, to budget for a loss/depreciation of around $25k. The last boat in your examples (Nicholson) costs only $25k to buy (asking price), so the loss/depreciation will be minimal, and very unlikely to be as large as for the Hunter.

The first example (of four) you listed was a 36 ft Hunter, the last boat was a smaller boat, so a bigger boat costs more for a pen/slip, and haulout.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by fursoc

Why would I easily lose $25k on the $155k boat? And why will it cost more to store, haulout, etc?

Thanks.

A big chunk of that loss would be Broker fees. (assuming you are willing to write off the moorage and insurance etc.) If you can find a boat needing nothing and have the discipline to do nothing.... You can keep it minimal. I've never found a boat needing nothing, other than new, well those need a lot actually.. so no I have never...

[Mossy Man]

Ann has given you the answer but you need to understand what she is saying and the local market which is quite restrictive.
You will not go wrong with a well founded older boat such as a Top Hat or Swanson 28. Both relatively older and cheaper with a resale equivalent to your purchase price in a few years time. More importantly they will get you out there and back again. The Swanson definitely my choice as a blue water classic with plenty of room. Both no dearer than a lot newer boat as long as in decent nick with a reasonable motor. More importantly both are available in the area between Sydney and Newcastle. The thought of going to sea in a Catalina 30 makes me shudder.

[Mossy Man]

I meant to say "no dearer to maintain" than a newer boat

[double u]

...when it comes to boats, never ever make optimistic estimates of costs & work!
remember: it always costs twice as much & takes three times as long as foreseen! (& that is if you are an "old hand". for newbies: double!)

[Jim Cate]

Folks keep harping on this or that type of boat having "poor resale value". If this is true, you should be able to buy it for very little money, since the current owner is reaping that poor value.

What I'm getting at is that older boats, if maintained in teh condition you find when buying will not loose much value in a couple of years. If you are compelled to add stuff, you will likely loose whatever money you invest, for it will have little impact on your successful selling price. Improvements can potentially make a boat easier to sell at normal market price, though, and that might be a good factor. But, if you price the boat a bit below market, and it is still in serviceable (not great) condition, the long wait for a sale may not be so long after all. We certainly see a lot of folks here on CF lusting after decent older boats at fair, low end prices, claiming to have cash in hand for the purchase.

Jim

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Mossy Man

Ann has given you the answer but you need to understand what she is saying and the local market which is quite restrictive.
You will not go wrong with a well founded older boat such as a Top Hat or Swanson 28. Both relatively older and cheaper with a resale equivalent to your purchase price in a few years time. More importantly they will get you out there and back again. The Swanson definitely my choice as a blue water classic with plenty of room. Both no dearer than a lot newer boat as long as in decent nick with a reasonable motor. More importantly both are available in the area between Sydney and Newcastle. The thought of going to sea in a Catalina 30 makes me shudder.

I would shudder also. Coastal learning boat Catalina would be OK.

[Don C L]

Yep. It's not just nostalgia that inspires my affection for the older boats. Many were so well built and are versatile designs in that many perform decently both up and downwind. And so in terms of the value they represent, the low cost vs. abilities, I try to keep folks looking at the "classics" as a good way to get into, or stay in, a sailboat without breaking a middle class bank account, for both purchase and maintenance.
While a boat like the Catalina 27 or 30 would not be my first choice, for resale value and for learning on coastally I think they are fine choices... but my my boat now is my first choice!

[IdoraKeeper]

There is only one financial calculation.. Is cost greater than any available cash? The discipline is not with money.... It's literally everything else.

[hsi88]

You showed 4 boat examples. My choice would be the Cole Pawtucket 35. IMO the best looking boat, inside and out (looks like a boat). This matters a lot to family members (trust me). Nicely appointed with extras and seems like a boat used on a regular basis. And priced well within your range. When trying to woo your family, you want an easy to sail boat that is comfy and provides room topside and below for some privacy.

Here is a video of one on the water:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGWyqvTG3ho

[fursoc]

Thank you everyone for your vast knowledge once again. I love this forum!

So, in summary, if we are going to buy a boat with a 1-2 year turn around it seems like the sensible thing is to:
1. buy a boat that is well known (for the right reasons) and has a reasonable following
2. buy an old boat that has bottomed out it's depreciation that has been well maintained
3. expect to spend a considerable amount of time selling it, no matter what
4. expect to lose money, no matter what

Have I missed anything?

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by fursoc

Thank you everyone for your vast knowledge once again. I love this forum!

So, in summary, if we are going to buy a boat with a 1-2 year turn around it seems like the sensible thing is to:
1. buy a boat that is well known (for the right reasons) and has a reasonable following
2. buy an old boat that has bottomed out it's depreciation that has been well maintained
3. expect to spend a considerable amount of time selling it, no matter what
4. expect to lose money, no matter what

Have I missed anything?

Perfect! You got it!
(But my boat's the best)

[fgd3]

Originally Posted by fursoc

Thank you everyone for your vast knowledge once again. I love this forum!

So, in summary, if we are going to buy a boat with a 1-2 year turn around it seems like the sensible thing is to:
1. buy a boat that is well known (for the right reasons) and has a reasonable following
2. buy an old boat that has bottomed out it's depreciation that has been well maintained
3. expect to spend a considerable amount of time selling it, no matter what
4. expect to lose money, no matter what

Have I missed anything?

If it's priced right it won't take long to sell it. At the time you sell it the right price is determined by the market conditions, not by what you paid for it or hope to get for it. If you can do the market research and be realistic about what it says you can anticipate a relatively quick sale.

Fabbian

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by fursoc

Thank you everyone for your vast knowledge once again. I love this forum!

So, in summary, if we are going to buy a boat with a 1-2 year turn around it seems like the sensible thing is to:
1. buy a boat that is well known (for the right reasons) and has a reasonable following
2. buy an old boat that has bottomed out it's depreciation that has been well maintained
3. expect to spend a considerable amount of time selling it, no matter what
4. expect to lose money, no matter what

Have I missed anything?

You have got it! Best of luck.