I'm looking into buying a new sailboat

Tim R. · Jul 29, 2009

It's not new if it has been sitting for 2 years. My father in law bought a "new" one year old boat that had been used in a couple of boatshows(dry). Rudder fell off on the way to Bermuda. I won't even get into how it now looks 10 years older than my boat(has more to do with the owner then the boat)

What is it?

BobM · Jul 29, 2009

You are on the mark. My friend is looking at a similar boat and the dealer is essentially selling it for 170K instead of 200K, which is new list. If you bought it today and sold it tomorrow you would be out about 20% between the drop in value and taxes. Keep in mind that the price may already take this into consideration.

Phil Herring · Jul 29, 2009

If the model hasn't changed significantly from 2008 to 2010, I don't think it will make much, if any, difference. 2008 or 2010 it's the same boat and on the used market, its condition is its condition. Boats aren't like cars that are assumed to drive 18,000 miles a year.

On the other hand, if the model has changed you've got a major gripe.

48dodge · Jul 29, 2009

I'd price it as a 2 year old boat. At least a 2 year old pre-owned boat might have some extras added to it. What kind of warranty is offered?

Ron20324 · Jul 29, 2009

To assume it's like cars, if it's never been titled, it is "new".

Ross · Jul 29, 2009

If the boat and its fittings and accessories please you and you would have been happy with it two years ago when it was "NEW" then make an offer. He has been carrying it as inventory for two years and possibly as floor plan stock on which he has been paying interest. He will or should be glad to get it off his books.

48dodge · Jul 29, 2009

Ross said:
He has been carrying it as inventory for two years and possibly as floor plan stock on which he has been paying interest. He will or should be glad to get it off his books.

That's how I feel about it. What I am thinking of is resale, also. I guess if you were to sell it 10 years down the line, 10 vs 12 years isn't a big deal. But let's say you sold it next week, month or year. Try convincing the purchaser it's really a new boat.

Ross · Jul 29, 2009

If you turn around and sell it in the same year you bought it you either didn't plan well or you found somebody that really, really, really wanted your boat.

Stu Jackson · Jul 29, 2009

Another way to say it is: if you plan to keep it for a looong time (as we do with our boats: 5, 12 and now 11 going-on-forever years). it shouldn't make a resale difference at all, assuming you "keep it up!"

Scott T-Bird · Jul 29, 2009

I would have no problems buying it ...

at the right price. It's obviously a left-over so I would think there would be a pretty deep discount on it already, or you can get there by negotiating. On the other hand, it's not a used boat, so it wouldn't be priced with the discount of a depreciated boat either. It would have to be somewhere in between in my mind. There is something to be said, though, about buying a 2-year old boat that somebody has invested in all the goodies and taken the hit on the depreciation. The price is always going to depend on what somebody decides to pay for it.

Bob J. · Jul 29, 2009

The prices on new boats have really come down due to the economy & they're not going to stay that way forever. If you're getting a good discount on the 08, compared to a 10, if it comes with a full factory warranty, you're getting a decent trade in value for your present rig & this is your dream boat, why not purchase it?

You're in the drivers seat Ctskip, they want to sell this rig. Hit them up for whatever they're willing to include to make that sale.

Bob

Steve Dion · Jul 29, 2009

Skip: Just tell the dealer that you want a new one and find out what he wants for a new model. You can check with other dealers too.

Once you know the market price of the new new unit vs the old new unit you will have some better info to deal with.

PS What boat are you looking at and what are they "asking"?

seadaddler · Jul 29, 2009

$$$$$

I was looking at ordering a new 2007 Hunter the dealer offered a brand new 2006 at a big savings compared to a new 2007 with then same equipment,I did order a 2007 with more options installed from the factory at Boat show prices,so left overs are not always a better deal.
Nick

Joseph Shirley · Jul 29, 2009

Try this

http://www.nadaguides.com/SectionHome.aspx?l=1&w=24&p=0&f=5601

oe S

Joe · Jul 30, 2009

Here's another link used by professionals. http://www.bucvalu.com

Just like houses...... there's no "comps" on new boats. Like cars and houses its MSRP. Make them an offer based on what you're willing to pay and quit trying to draw a similarity to the automobile's world with it's leasing industry, fleet sales and blue book factors. It's apples and oranges.

.... Personally, I'd never buy a new boat if I thought it was going to depreciate the first 2 years the way an automobile does.

Ken Honeycutt · Jul 30, 2009

I'd pay the 2008 price

But I would hand the dealer a wish list of goodies I would want added and see what he would do. If you're not happy with the offerings just walk away and wait for a phone call a few weeks later.
When I bought my boat it came without a bimini. The admiral told the dealer that there was no way we would buy the boat without a bimini and we would just walk away because we had reached what we had budgeted for the boat. We got the bimini and a whole lot of other goodies with no extra charge (funny how all of a sudden there was a factory incentive).

BobM · Jul 30, 2009

Too bad they don't have cash for clunkers for boats...of course a sailboat wouldn't qualify anyway. Don't get me wrong...I understand the need to direct the money a bit in these programs...but I can't get a credit for installing $4000 of new insulation in a roof that basically had none (>500sq ft of cathedral ceiling disqualifies my 1964 ranch per the new bill).

I'm looking into buying a new sailboat

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