Making a 1st time purchase of a BRAND NEW sailboat. Wondering what the mark ups are? How much can I expect to negotiate off the asking prices?
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depends on your broker
When I bought a new C350 in 2005 the broker closest to my home was $9K higher than the one that was a two hour drive north. You can also control your costs by getting all of the equipment after delivery. My radar, chartplotter, furnace, etc. are all installed after delivery by myself with the consultation and assistance of a certified marine electrician that I have found to be competent, dependable and fast. His rates were about $10/hr less than the one that works for my broker but the real savings was in the organized approach that he took in doing the work and the fact that his markup on the materials was very low. By the way, don't even think about paying Catalina for their dodger/bimini. I did that on the 350 and the price was high and the quality low. I have traded that 350 in already for a new C42 and this time we went with a local canvas shop that produced a superior product for a competative price. Buy the boat from Catalina (great product for the price) and shop for the goodies. Bob V
When I bought a new C350 in 2005 the broker closest to my home was $9K higher than the one that was a two hour drive north. You can also control your costs by getting all of the equipment after delivery. My radar, chartplotter, furnace, etc. are all installed after delivery by myself with the consultation and assistance of a certified marine electrician that I have found to be competent, dependable and fast. His rates were about $10/hr less than the one that works for my broker but the real savings was in the organized approach that he took in doing the work and the fact that his markup on the materials was very low. By the way, don't even think about paying Catalina for their dodger/bimini. I did that on the 350 and the price was high and the quality low. I have traded that 350 in already for a new C42 and this time we went with a local canvas shop that produced a superior product for a competative price. Buy the boat from Catalina (great product for the price) and shop for the goodies. Bob V
I just bought a new Catalina and found that there is a fair bit of margin that the dealers can play with. I was dealing with 2 different dealers (Hunter and Catalina) and over the course of about 10 days they both dropped their prices by about 9% below the best boat show price and I think that they may have gone even lower. My advice is to take your time, resist pressure to make snap decisions and be prepared to walk away from the deal if you’re not entirely happy. Both dealers told me that they could offer me a better deal with a stock boat, but I think that that was more so that they could move their inventory. I went and had a custom order and am please so far with the experience. I had the dealer install the instruments, bottom coat and some other options. That way I have a come back on them if something doesn't work. Good luck with the selection process. Gary Gary
You can buy a boat...
at the Boat Show price... anytime of year (If this helps). I am surprised there have been more responses to your question. I know there are some retired brokers out there that have the skinny.
at the Boat Show price... anytime of year (If this helps). I am surprised there have been more responses to your question. I know there are some retired brokers out there that have the skinny.
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