Best Deal: New or Used Boats?

[Bruce Beal]

Are sail boats like cars in how they depreciate over time? Is the first year the most depreciation and so on, until it gets pretty small each year? Is the third year the best year? The fourth? Other?Also, we are interested in the Oceanis 321. There seem to be a lot more of these in charter hands than private hands. Are these likely to come up for sale? If so, will they be above or below average condition for their age? Any ideas?Thanks.

 

[mg]

i think....

the private owner of an 6-8 year old boat is the best value. here is why. 1) not that much use.(private owners dont sail as much as they think they do) 2)you have another few years before upgrading rigging and sails(probably) and the other systems are not breaking yet. 3)the systems are still young enough to restore from neglect if necessary. 4)the boat still looks fairly new 5)and the major depreciation has ended. i find that the older boat brought up to reasonable seaworthy and aesthetic condition generally requires the same investment as the boat that is in the 6-8 year range. so pay now or pay later. to me it all depends on how much you want to work vs sail. plus the resale on the newer will always be better regardless of upgrades on the older boat. style banks loans who knows. good luck

 

[Wanderer138]

Pro

MG makes a good point. Charter boats get a LOT more use than the average private boat. They also get a fair amount of abuse from inexperienced charterers. That being said, most charter companies do a pretty good job of maintaining their boats. A good marine survey before buying is a worthwhile investment. Good luck.PeterH23 "Raven"

 

[markv]

charter boats

you have two charter companies right there , aventura and dana harbor yatch charters. if you can taik to the fleet manager to see what his thoughts are. they both have a variety of types of sailboats and just about all that can be done to a charter boat has been done to them[ clogged heads being the favorite!] aventura is the older of the two so the'll have seen more.