Just a silly thought.....

[frank balcer]

came to mind this morning. As I'm layed up for the day recovering from a visit to the digestive Docs. As a subscriber to most all of the sailing magazines on the market, I was wondering. Does anybody buy new boats? Your more likely to see snow in August than a NEW sailboat on the MS. Sound where I sail. I guess the question is posed to the loyal readers of this forum. I have owned 3 boats since I started sailing 15 years ago at the age of 30. The marina in Moss Point were I keep boat is full of folks like me who all own used boats. During the summer I keep my boat at the Pascagoula MS. Inner Harbour. Save for one fellow, all my racing buddies boats are used. I love reading the new boat reviews and all the "new" inovations. Then I get down to the spec shet at the bottom of the article and see the price. I'm just glad that somewhere there is a man or woman that has the resources to potentially purchase my "Next" used boat. Thanks for putting up with my rants as I hobble from LazyBoy to computer and back again. Frank

 

[frank balcer]

came to mind this morning. As I'm layed up for the day recovering from a visit to the digestive Docs. As a subscriber to most all of the sailing magazines on the market, I was wondering. Does anybody buy new boats? Your more likely to see snow in August than a NEW sailboat on the MS. Sound where I sail. I guess the question is posed to the loyal readers of this forum. I have owned 3 boats since I started sailing 15 years ago at the age of 30. The marina in Moss Point were I keep boat is full of folks like me who all own used boats. During the summer I keep my boat at the Pascagoula MS. Inner Harbour. Save for one fellow, all my racing buddies boats are used. I love reading the new boat reviews and all the "new" inovations. Then I get down to the spec shet at the bottom of the article and see the price. I'm just glad that somewhere there is a man or woman that has the resources to potentially purchase my "Next" used boat. Thanks for putting up with my rants as I hobble from LazyBoy to computer and back again. Frank

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

depreciation

The traditional belief that older boats hold their value better than a comparable new one isn't always valid anymore.Ignoring the shiny new boat attraction, the actual depreciation is too vague these days to make a valid financial argument either way. Compared with historical rates, current market figures indicate a slower rate of depreciation such that one could argue either way about value they lose compared with buying an older used boat. Until I meet someone who knows that the future holds, I'll continue to be entertained by the pundits speculating about everything frommthe stock market to boat values.One thing is for sure - the mega-yacht buiders continue to have record sales and the little boat makers are setting new lows.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

depreciation

The traditional belief that older boats hold their value better than a comparable new one isn't always valid anymore.Ignoring the shiny new boat attraction, the actual depreciation is too vague these days to make a valid financial argument either way. Compared with historical rates, current market figures indicate a slower rate of depreciation such that one could argue either way about value they lose compared with buying an older used boat. Until I meet someone who knows that the future holds, I'll continue to be entertained by the pundits speculating about everything frommthe stock market to boat values.One thing is for sure - the mega-yacht buiders continue to have record sales and the little boat makers are setting new lows.

 

[Jim Seamans]

Well actually -Frank

Our last four boats were purchased new off the lot. For some reason, my wife does not want to buy a used boat. She will buy just about anything else used but not the boat.JimS/V Java

 

[Jim Seamans]

Well actually -Frank

Our last four boats were purchased new off the lot. For some reason, my wife does not want to buy a used boat. She will buy just about anything else used but not the boat.JimS/V Java

 

[tcbro]

"Previously Enjoyed"

All of my boats have been used, or should I say "previously enjoyed" in car dealer lingo.Toms/v Orion's Child

 

[tcbro]

"Previously Enjoyed"

All of my boats have been used, or should I say "previously enjoyed" in car dealer lingo.Toms/v Orion's Child

 

[Benny]

Yeah, you are right but someone out there is

purchasing a new boat thinking that boats are sold in halves and that he is getting the best half. He figures he will enjoy the latest gadgets, manufacturers warranty, new engine reliability and a shiny hull and topside, while someone will willingly come along to pay for the 2nd half which may carry outdated electronics, higher maintenance costs, perhaps a tired engine and some cosmetic blemishes. He probably thinks he is getting a good deal. He don't care how many people share the 2nd half and how they divide their individual ownership time and cost; he is just convinced that for approximately half of the original purchase price he got to enjoy the best years of ownership and without having to wait. I guess this goes back to the old question, is it better to buy new or used? Both points of view present powerful arguments. I guess the answer lies with your budget, your age, health, DIY apptitudes and free time. Some people just can't stand that the slip fees for his sinker are the same as for the shiny new yacht next to it; others could care less. It's an individual thing.

 

[Benny]

Yeah, you are right but someone out there is

purchasing a new boat thinking that boats are sold in halves and that he is getting the best half. He figures he will enjoy the latest gadgets, manufacturers warranty, new engine reliability and a shiny hull and topside, while someone will willingly come along to pay for the 2nd half which may carry outdated electronics, higher maintenance costs, perhaps a tired engine and some cosmetic blemishes. He probably thinks he is getting a good deal. He don't care how many people share the 2nd half and how they divide their individual ownership time and cost; he is just convinced that for approximately half of the original purchase price he got to enjoy the best years of ownership and without having to wait. I guess this goes back to the old question, is it better to buy new or used? Both points of view present powerful arguments. I guess the answer lies with your budget, your age, health, DIY apptitudes and free time. Some people just can't stand that the slip fees for his sinker are the same as for the shiny new yacht next to it; others could care less. It's an individual thing.

 

[frank balcer]

Good points from all...

guess where I was heading has more to do with initial costs. Almost all of the folks I know in my sailing community are "blue collar" folks. I have a Great job, that I love, as a machinist for a local refinery. By local standards I make above average wages for this area. If I were to replace my 30' Pearson, there is no way I could aford the cost of a new 30 footer of any make. I suppose I should be thankful that somewhere, someone is taking delivery of my potential "Previously enjoyed" boat. Thanks, Frank

 

[frank balcer]

Good points from all...

guess where I was heading has more to do with initial costs. Almost all of the folks I know in my sailing community are "blue collar" folks. I have a Great job, that I love, as a machinist for a local refinery. By local standards I make above average wages for this area. If I were to replace my 30' Pearson, there is no way I could aford the cost of a new 30 footer of any make. I suppose I should be thankful that somewhere, someone is taking delivery of my potential "Previously enjoyed" boat. Thanks, Frank

 

[Tony]

My new Hunter

Our first boat was an '89 24 foot ODay with outboard which charged the sole battery which we sailed on a large lake in NE PaMarina had no shore power and well water( found out hard way what that does in the tank!!)Weekends on the boat were much like campingHot water was from alcohol stove in Am sleeping bag kept us warm on Mountain evenings and we bathed ( brrrrrr) in the lake Porta potty hauled up the hill by yours trulyThen we experienced the Chesapeake on a 4 day sail on an old 36 footerThat was it for usTook ten yrs but in 2000 traded the ODay and bought brand spankin new 340 which we have sailed ever sinceShore power /head hot/cold pressure water fridge/freezer not to mention power windlass auto pilot furling main and jib.........list goes onI intend to enjoy the front half and the back halfIf i had it to do over I would buy it new again just a special feelingWill be "under the waves" a long timeGotta tell ya, when I am on the water, depreciation never enters my mindBTW i am told someone out there is still sailing that ODay on the Bay  God Bless 'emt

 

[Tony]

My new Hunter

Our first boat was an '89 24 foot ODay with outboard which charged the sole battery which we sailed on a large lake in NE PaMarina had no shore power and well water( found out hard way what that does in the tank!!)Weekends on the boat were much like campingHot water was from alcohol stove in Am sleeping bag kept us warm on Mountain evenings and we bathed ( brrrrrr) in the lake Porta potty hauled up the hill by yours trulyThen we experienced the Chesapeake on a 4 day sail on an old 36 footerThat was it for usTook ten yrs but in 2000 traded the ODay and bought brand spankin new 340 which we have sailed ever sinceShore power /head hot/cold pressure water fridge/freezer not to mention power windlass auto pilot furling main and jib.........list goes onI intend to enjoy the front half and the back halfIf i had it to do over I would buy it new again just a special feelingWill be "under the waves" a long timeGotta tell ya, when I am on the water, depreciation never enters my mindBTW i am told someone out there is still sailing that ODay on the Bay  God Bless 'emt

 

[newsailor06]

Depends on whether....

You want character or chrome... My brother inlaw bought a 39' Island Packet brand new with all the extras. But, he was getting ready to spend 18 months sailing the Caribbean and wanted the peace of mind. Me on the other hand sail on an inland lake and my peace of mind was that I could still afford the beer for the cooler. I just can't justify the cost of a new boat with 1/2 of the equipment that you can find on an older boat. I am looking to move up and you can get a really nice "relatively" new boat that has what you want and still looks and runs great.

 

[newsailor06]

Depends on whether....

You want character or chrome... My brother inlaw bought a 39' Island Packet brand new with all the extras. But, he was getting ready to spend 18 months sailing the Caribbean and wanted the peace of mind. Me on the other hand sail on an inland lake and my peace of mind was that I could still afford the beer for the cooler. I just can't justify the cost of a new boat with 1/2 of the equipment that you can find on an older boat. I am looking to move up and you can get a really nice "relatively" new boat that has what you want and still looks and runs great.

 

[KennyH]

One new boat and held it value!

I purchased my second boat new a Cheoy Lee Clipper 33 in 1979 for 47,500 dollars. It had a Westerbeke engine that was a real joy when needed. Sailed it for 24 years. Trips to Burmuda, Bahamas twice and 2 years cruise to most of the islands between north and south america. It was lost in a hurricane in 2003 do to family problems not allowing me to move it out of the slip. Insurance company paid me original price of 47,500 as it was a total loss. Book value was probably closer to 30,000. Still either way you look at it a great deal for 24 years of sailing.

 

[KennyH]

One new boat and held it value!

I purchased my second boat new a Cheoy Lee Clipper 33 in 1979 for 47,500 dollars. It had a Westerbeke engine that was a real joy when needed. Sailed it for 24 years. Trips to Burmuda, Bahamas twice and 2 years cruise to most of the islands between north and south america. It was lost in a hurricane in 2003 do to family problems not allowing me to move it out of the slip. Insurance company paid me original price of 47,500 as it was a total loss. Book value was probably closer to 30,000. Still either way you look at it a great deal for 24 years of sailing.

 

[tweitz]

New versus used

Each of our boats prior to our last one was used. This time we went for a brand new boat, a Beneteau 323 with a lifting keel. We wanted a boat of that overall size with the exceedingly shallow draft when the board was up, and there were very few similar used boats on the market; when we did find one, a three year old Beneteau 311, it was at a pretty substantial price, so that the trade off became a lot closer. I did a few spread sheets and debated back and forth, but we finally opted to go new because there had been some real design improvements that we liked, it was a tad bigger, we could customize it just the way we wanted, and it would have new sails, new engine, etc. It was a really close question, and I had always wondered who bought those new boats until I found out it was me.

 

[tweitz]

New versus used

Each of our boats prior to our last one was used. This time we went for a brand new boat, a Beneteau 323 with a lifting keel. We wanted a boat of that overall size with the exceedingly shallow draft when the board was up, and there were very few similar used boats on the market; when we did find one, a three year old Beneteau 311, it was at a pretty substantial price, so that the trade off became a lot closer. I did a few spread sheets and debated back and forth, but we finally opted to go new because there had been some real design improvements that we liked, it was a tad bigger, we could customize it just the way we wanted, and it would have new sails, new engine, etc. It was a really close question, and I had always wondered who bought those new boats until I found out it was me.