Any speculation on what will happen to the value of existing 240/260 sailboats? It is my understanding that Hunter will no longer produce a water ballast boat. Is that correct? I want to keep my 260 for several years ( I have 10 foot itis) but if the discontinuation is going to cause values to drop sharply in the next year or two I may have to reconsider.
Future values of 240/260's
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Value???
I have a 1994 H - 26. I too am concerned about the demise of the water ballasted sail boats - but could it be that the laws of supply and demand might work in our favor? (i.e. demand for a well made, well maintained, trailerable, roomy, good sailing boat continues to grow - but the supply suddenly becomes static) - mighten the value of our boats increase? Tom Grass
I have a 1994 H - 26. I too am concerned about the demise of the water ballasted sail boats - but could it be that the laws of supply and demand might work in our favor? (i.e. demand for a well made, well maintained, trailerable, roomy, good sailing boat continues to grow - but the supply suddenly becomes static) - mighten the value of our boats increase? Tom Grass
Have No Fear
The fine boats we own will depreciate nicely...there might even be a guarantee on that somewhere in the purchase paperwork. Any excess time spent considering the financial investment aspect could lead to skin rashes and gastric distress. For its part, as with any business Hunter is probably making a decision it hopes will maximize its returns. The water ballast line must have pretty thin margins. For me, the good news is how much fun we've had with our 240. Enjoy!
The fine boats we own will depreciate nicely...there might even be a guarantee on that somewhere in the purchase paperwork. Any excess time spent considering the financial investment aspect could lead to skin rashes and gastric distress. For its part, as with any business Hunter is probably making a decision it hopes will maximize its returns. The water ballast line must have pretty thin margins. For me, the good news is how much fun we've had with our 240. Enjoy!
I would like to think
Tom is right. There are still plenty of people interested in the 240/260's and the advantages they offer. The fact that Hunter isn't making them anymore means they have nowhere to go but the used market. Keep your boat well maintained and outfitted and you should be able to sell it when the time comes. Does anyone know if Catalina plans to keep making the 250?
Tom is right. There are still plenty of people interested in the 240/260's and the advantages they offer. The fact that Hunter isn't making them anymore means they have nowhere to go but the used market. Keep your boat well maintained and outfitted and you should be able to sell it when the time comes. Does anyone know if Catalina plans to keep making the 250?
Me too 
I too hope to move up from a 240 in a few years. I hope/think that the reduced supply of boats of this type will enhance the relative value.
I too hope to move up from a 240 in a few years. I hope/think that the reduced supply of boats of this type will enhance the relative value.
Shallow draft helps
I think I agree with the value being maintained or enhanced. I needed a boat that drew less than two feet of water because it is very shallow at my dock. I also really liked the 9 foot beam on the 260. I purchased new, but if Hunter was no longer making them I think I would have been looking for used. The only other competition that I saw when I was shopping was the Catalina 250. I felt the wider cockpit and better headroom under the boom and downstairs were well worth the extra money.
I think I agree with the value being maintained or enhanced. I needed a boat that drew less than two feet of water because it is very shallow at my dock. I also really liked the 9 foot beam on the 260. I purchased new, but if Hunter was no longer making them I think I would have been looking for used. The only other competition that I saw when I was shopping was the Catalina 250. I felt the wider cockpit and better headroom under the boom and downstairs were well worth the extra money.
Its already gone
When you bought the boat, you wrote off $5K (at least) on the paid value. Just like a car. Buyers in the future will see a used boat, just like all other previously owned production boats. They will want to buy it at a lower price because it is older. They will find crazing, scratches, used sails and rigging, do-it-yourself repairs and "improvements." Would you pay "dealer prices" for that? Bottom line: Don't worry about what you can sell it for in the future. You can't control that. Enjoy your boat now! Mark
When you bought the boat, you wrote off $5K (at least) on the paid value. Just like a car. Buyers in the future will see a used boat, just like all other previously owned production boats. They will want to buy it at a lower price because it is older. They will find crazing, scratches, used sails and rigging, do-it-yourself repairs and "improvements." Would you pay "dealer prices" for that? Bottom line: Don't worry about what you can sell it for in the future. You can't control that. Enjoy your boat now! Mark
Relax!
I have a 1994 23.5 that I bought used about 1 1/2 years ago. I bought it because of the features (i.e. trailererability, roominess, easy to rig, asthetic lines, etc.) Don't stress out over your boat losing value. Enjoy it, maintain it, and sell it for a price the market will bear when the time comes. All boats take the greatest depreciation when they are bought new and after a few years of sharp decline in value the depreciation sort of levels out and decrease much more gradually. (one exception to this rule that I know of is the Island Packet 29 and I'm sure there are others) The key is to maintain it and improve it but not to the point that you won't recoup your investment when and if you do sell it. Heck, I think most of us would agree that a boat is a poor investment and that we do it for the love of sailing. Go sailing, take two beers and call me in the morning!
I have a 1994 23.5 that I bought used about 1 1/2 years ago. I bought it because of the features (i.e. trailererability, roominess, easy to rig, asthetic lines, etc.) Don't stress out over your boat losing value. Enjoy it, maintain it, and sell it for a price the market will bear when the time comes. All boats take the greatest depreciation when they are bought new and after a few years of sharp decline in value the depreciation sort of levels out and decrease much more gradually. (one exception to this rule that I know of is the Island Packet 29 and I'm sure there are others) The key is to maintain it and improve it but not to the point that you won't recoup your investment when and if you do sell it. Heck, I think most of us would agree that a boat is a poor investment and that we do it for the love of sailing. Go sailing, take two beers and call me in the morning!
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