My thoughts
Bill, You can use the BubValu site https://login.buc.com and the NADA http://www.americanboating.org/value_main.asp. You may also want to use a surveyor (I understand they also estimate boat value), although if you have owned a boat before and done a lot of the work yourself you may not need one to check the boat out. As with anything the value is in the eye of the beholder. I bought my 2002 used and have been very pleased with it. IMHO, electronics do not hold their value well (last years leading edge is this years has been) and for me did not factor much into the offer I made, but what did was the overall condition of the boat. I really liked that just about all of the systems on my boat were serviceable and that the gel coat, canvas, sails, etc were all pretty clean and obviously well maintained. From the BucValu and NADA you should get a sense of how the class overall depreciates (another place is what people are asking online). I plotted in Excel NADA, BUC and Online Asking Prices to get in the ball park and then went with my gut feel of is this worth it to me. Just remember the old marine saying (slightly cleaned up) - If it flies, float or fornicates, you should rent it as it is cheaper in the long run! Only thing I haven't done is bought a plane.
