I am faced with what perhaps is every boaters nightmare...the actual purchase of a boat! As I know most of you have spent many hours laboring over your own purchases, I will get straight to the point. 1994 Hunter 33.5 in excellent shape (Super clean, three blisters on bottom smaller than a golf ball, motor is clean enough to eat off of, most features including bimini, lazy jacks, etc...no air or refrig...negotiated sale price 60K... OR 2000 290 straight from the dealer...no price negotiated at this time. Do I buy new or used? Is 60k for the 33.5 a good deal? Someone please give me an idea on depreciation of the new boat. This is the first purchase after three years of renting and lessons. Sailed both boats and am very pleased with both...but which one do I buy? Your help is greatly appreciated.
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Captain Ron B
Buy the 33.5!
Ten years ago, we faced the we faced the same dilemma. Buy the new Hunter 30 or used 33.5. We bought the 1989 33.5 and have never looked back (except to wave at the Hunter 30's). If the condition is as you suggest, go for the 33.5. Sails great, lasts a long time. (This is a great decision - You really can't lose!) rb
Ten years ago, we faced the we faced the same dilemma. Buy the new Hunter 30 or used 33.5. We bought the 1989 33.5 and have never looked back (except to wave at the Hunter 30's). If the condition is as you suggest, go for the 33.5. Sails great, lasts a long time. (This is a great decision - You really can't lose!) rb
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Walt: Obviously you need to know the value of each boat before you begin. On the new boat I would get prices from at least 2 dealers with exactly the same equipment. As far as the used boat is concerned, you can get a price on having the blisters repaired and deduct it from the price or just have the seller do it. Just because they are asking $60k does not mean that you need to offer them that either. You need to leave yourself some room for things that no one will see until you get the boat. You should be able to get comparable prices from magazines and NADA guide to see if you are in the ball park. One thing to consider, the used boat has already taken much of the hit on the depreciation. The new boat is going to take a hit as soon as you take possession. The new boat has new equipment on it and has a manufactures warranty for the next year or so. The used boat is going to have parts that are going to need replacing or repairs. The sails are at least half used up too. There is probably many little extras that are on the older boat that you will need to buy for the new one that is going to increase your costs and on and on. Which one do you like better? If this is your first boat then you are going to probably want a bigger one in the next couple of years (it's a genetic defect in most sailors). I would probably take the bigger boat if it were me, but it's not so the ball is in your court.
Walt: Obviously you need to know the value of each boat before you begin. On the new boat I would get prices from at least 2 dealers with exactly the same equipment. As far as the used boat is concerned, you can get a price on having the blisters repaired and deduct it from the price or just have the seller do it. Just because they are asking $60k does not mean that you need to offer them that either. You need to leave yourself some room for things that no one will see until you get the boat. You should be able to get comparable prices from magazines and NADA guide to see if you are in the ball park. One thing to consider, the used boat has already taken much of the hit on the depreciation. The new boat is going to take a hit as soon as you take possession. The new boat has new equipment on it and has a manufactures warranty for the next year or so. The used boat is going to have parts that are going to need replacing or repairs. The sails are at least half used up too. There is probably many little extras that are on the older boat that you will need to buy for the new one that is going to increase your costs and on and on. Which one do you like better? If this is your first boat then you are going to probably want a bigger one in the next couple of years (it's a genetic defect in most sailors). I would probably take the bigger boat if it were me, but it's not so the ball is in your court.
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Gary Wyngarden
Hunters in Kentucky
Walt, I am an ex Kentuckian (Louisville), recently moved to the Pacific Northwest and have chartered Hunters from Kentucky Lake Sails on several occasions. Nice place with great anchorages at the Land Between the Lakes. More to the point, I bought a 1992 Hunter 335 in April of 1999. It too was in superb condition (still is!) with two genoas, a jib, and an assymetrical spinnaker. I paid $58500. The blue book, which I would also suggest you check, is still pretty close to that. In addition to less depreciation, another goood thing about a quality used boat is that they usually come equipped with a whole bunch of stuff in the way of tools, galley equipment, spare parts etc. which can run up some bucks if you have to buy it all with a new boat. The 335 is a wonderful boat in my opinion. If I had it to do over again, I'd buy the used 335. Good luck!
Walt, I am an ex Kentuckian (Louisville), recently moved to the Pacific Northwest and have chartered Hunters from Kentucky Lake Sails on several occasions. Nice place with great anchorages at the Land Between the Lakes. More to the point, I bought a 1992 Hunter 335 in April of 1999. It too was in superb condition (still is!) with two genoas, a jib, and an assymetrical spinnaker. I paid $58500. The blue book, which I would also suggest you check, is still pretty close to that. In addition to less depreciation, another goood thing about a quality used boat is that they usually come equipped with a whole bunch of stuff in the way of tools, galley equipment, spare parts etc. which can run up some bucks if you have to buy it all with a new boat. The 335 is a wonderful boat in my opinion. If I had it to do over again, I'd buy the used 335. Good luck!
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David
Hunter 33.5 Purchase
Walt, I purchased a 1988 H33.5 three years ago. I got a great purchase price; however, I have spent the last three years working to maintain and upgrade the boat. For me the 33.5 is an ideal boat; large enough for comfortable cruising but small enough to single hand. Your purchase price for the 33.5 is OK. Just realize that in purchasing an older boat you will spend a lot of time with repairs if you "do it yourself" (as I do) or will spend a considerable amount of money paying someone else for the repairs. If you "do it yourself" you will spend a lot of time at the slip versus time you could be sailing the new boat. This is a tough call that only you can make. If you can afford a new boat, go for it. If you don't mind spending a lot of time with maintenace and repairs, go for the 33.5. Again, I think the 33.5 is a great boat---it's just that I get frustrated with the repairs. It only takes an hour or two of sailing to make me forget about the hassels of maintenace to appreciate the boat.
Walt, I purchased a 1988 H33.5 three years ago. I got a great purchase price; however, I have spent the last three years working to maintain and upgrade the boat. For me the 33.5 is an ideal boat; large enough for comfortable cruising but small enough to single hand. Your purchase price for the 33.5 is OK. Just realize that in purchasing an older boat you will spend a lot of time with repairs if you "do it yourself" (as I do) or will spend a considerable amount of money paying someone else for the repairs. If you "do it yourself" you will spend a lot of time at the slip versus time you could be sailing the new boat. This is a tough call that only you can make. If you can afford a new boat, go for it. If you don't mind spending a lot of time with maintenace and repairs, go for the 33.5. Again, I think the 33.5 is a great boat---it's just that I get frustrated with the repairs. It only takes an hour or two of sailing to make me forget about the hassels of maintenace to appreciate the boat.
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Merrill Mant
Go for the 335
We have a 1992 335 and cruise her on Lake Champlain NY. The boat is an absolute pleasure to own. Sails well and a cabin that lives much bigger than her 335 feet let on. Having charteeed the 340 in Tampa, I still prefer the more traditional cockpit and traveler arrangement. I can only assume that the 290 is smaller. The only down side is the head arrangement on the 335.... If just youirselves on board, then probably not and issue. We hang a curtain (on little velcro tabs) that closes off the slaon / head for more privacy when the teenagers are with us. Enjoy the purchase dilema....gut wrenching but a real pleasure. Whichever boat you finally purchase, nothing will beat the time on the water..enjoy. Merrill Mant Ambition
We have a 1992 335 and cruise her on Lake Champlain NY. The boat is an absolute pleasure to own. Sails well and a cabin that lives much bigger than her 335 feet let on. Having charteeed the 340 in Tampa, I still prefer the more traditional cockpit and traveler arrangement. I can only assume that the 290 is smaller. The only down side is the head arrangement on the 335.... If just youirselves on board, then probably not and issue. We hang a curtain (on little velcro tabs) that closes off the slaon / head for more privacy when the teenagers are with us. Enjoy the purchase dilema....gut wrenching but a real pleasure. Whichever boat you finally purchase, nothing will beat the time on the water..enjoy. Merrill Mant Ambition
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Stephen Ostrander
another 33.5 owner heard from . . .
Go for the 33.5. Your'e going to want a bigger boat eventually. Seriously though, its a great boat and we love ours. I used to want a 336 but now I don't think I'd trade it. Maybe for a 35.5, though . . .
Go for the 33.5. Your'e going to want a bigger boat eventually. Seriously though, its a great boat and we love ours. I used to want a 336 but now I don't think I'd trade it. Maybe for a 35.5, though . . .
K
Kentemp
Hunter 33.5 Purchase
Walt: I purchased a 1993 Hunter 33.5 for $50K. It had two sets of good sails, an Avon dingy and a 9.9 Evinrude. It was in excellant shape. It also was full of many many spare parts. My boat is now also on Kentucky Lake at Kenlake Marina. It is in my judgement an ideal boat for that lake. You will be able to get under the bridges nearly all of the time and the boat is a delight to sail and roomy. I may have seen the one that you are considering last fall. The boat that I saw there was a '91 or '92 trimmed in green. I passed on it because of a combination of price and condition. You can get a good idea of the value of the boat from the NADA site on the net. Good luck on your search. Ken T
Walt: I purchased a 1993 Hunter 33.5 for $50K. It had two sets of good sails, an Avon dingy and a 9.9 Evinrude. It was in excellant shape. It also was full of many many spare parts. My boat is now also on Kentucky Lake at Kenlake Marina. It is in my judgement an ideal boat for that lake. You will be able to get under the bridges nearly all of the time and the boat is a delight to sail and roomy. I may have seen the one that you are considering last fall. The boat that I saw there was a '91 or '92 trimmed in green. I passed on it because of a combination of price and condition. You can get a good idea of the value of the boat from the NADA site on the net. Good luck on your search. Ken T
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