I AM losing it waiting for a used boat in the 31-40 foot range. My local Hunter dealer has been after me to stop by and look/sail the 310, 320 and 340. (just looking for a big day sailor/weekender lake boat) I'm probably going to do just that this weekend depending on the weather. There's a reasonable chance I'll buy something just to get it over with!! So I need some words of wisdom and guidance to counsel me during these difficult times. What are the real advantages of buying a new series boat vs one of the golden oldies? Is it really worth the $50,000-$80,000 difference? What do I really get for the extra money?
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Wow!
Obviously we are all in different financial positions, but THAT many thousands extra for an occasional weekend boat, would give me pause! True, new boats have the extra volume, futuristic design, all the latest doodads, shiny everything, factory warranty, and that "new-boat-smell", only you and your wallet can assign a price premium to those tangibles and intangibles. An old boat (well-maintained and upgraded by a caring previous owner, of course!), like an airplane, is never really "old"...
Obviously we are all in different financial positions, but THAT many thousands extra for an occasional weekend boat, would give me pause! True, new boats have the extra volume, futuristic design, all the latest doodads, shiny everything, factory warranty, and that "new-boat-smell", only you and your wallet can assign a price premium to those tangibles and intangibles. An old boat (well-maintained and upgraded by a caring previous owner, of course!), like an airplane, is never really "old"...
Afterthought...
For example.. I saw a listing on this Web site for a pristine older H30 out of Wisconsin with absolutely everything on it and immaculately maintained for $28,000. Really clean H34's out here go for about 40K, CAT34s a bit more as they are roomier. The price difference between new and used is so financially dramatic that there is almost no real basis for comparison!
For example.. I saw a listing on this Web site for a pristine older H30 out of Wisconsin with absolutely everything on it and immaculately maintained for $28,000. Really clean H34's out here go for about 40K, CAT34s a bit more as they are roomier. The price difference between new and used is so financially dramatic that there is almost no real basis for comparison!
Travel
As near as I can tell there are thousands of used boats in the range you are looking. Get SAILING magazine and find a nice freshwater boat and have it transported. I'm sure you can find a ride with friends while you wait for shipment. On the other hand, if you have the financial ability to buy a new boat, like it, then buy it. I really think that everybody would like to buy new at least once in their life and I see nothing wrong with that dream. Enjoy no matter what you decide.
As near as I can tell there are thousands of used boats in the range you are looking. Get SAILING magazine and find a nice freshwater boat and have it transported. I'm sure you can find a ride with friends while you wait for shipment. On the other hand, if you have the financial ability to buy a new boat, like it, then buy it. I really think that everybody would like to buy new at least once in their life and I see nothing wrong with that dream. Enjoy no matter what you decide.
NEW ?
When you buy new you spend more money, but get the latest techonolgy and the way you, not the previous owner's ideas, problems and electronics. The electronics, like computers make major changes with in 5 years. If you buy new you will still have problems but they will be under warranty.
When you buy new you spend more money, but get the latest techonolgy and the way you, not the previous owner's ideas, problems and electronics. The electronics, like computers make major changes with in 5 years. If you buy new you will still have problems but they will be under warranty.
Your experience level might determine
which boat you choose. I purchased a new boat (a 340) over a 2 season old 336. The difference in price was not much more than 10k -- not nearly as much as you describe. If you're a good negotiator and wait for the right time to buy (end of the season is better) than you can keep the delta between new and recently used at a decent distance --- and enjoy the benefits of NEW. If you are an experienced boat owner, I would think you might be better off buying a used boat as you should be able (with the help of a surveyor) to sniff out the problems on a used boat. My experience level --- well let's just say --- a used boat owner COULD have taken me to the cleaners, because I had NO CLUE what to look for. Now, having owned my 340 for 18 months and having done a lot of the maintanence and repair on the boat myself, I have a better understanding of the problems that might occur on various systems and I would not be AS EASILY fooled. Due to my lack of knowledge, I wanted the "hand holding' of the factory and my dealer on my first purchase. My next boat will probably be a USED 380 in tip-top condition. I'll spend the money on transport instead of NEW and get a bigger boat in the process. BTW, having owned a new boat, I now know what they mean when USED boat owners advertise "Better than new." True story --- many used boats of recent vintage may be better than new. They are debugged (no trivial matter) and they may have LOTS of goodies on them that will bring a fraction of their original value on the resale price but serve to move the boat faster over a boat with fewer options. I'd shop around. If you have a motivated seller, are experienced, look at lots of boats and are a good negotiator you might be far better off on a used boat. Good luck! Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
which boat you choose. I purchased a new boat (a 340) over a 2 season old 336. The difference in price was not much more than 10k -- not nearly as much as you describe. If you're a good negotiator and wait for the right time to buy (end of the season is better) than you can keep the delta between new and recently used at a decent distance --- and enjoy the benefits of NEW. If you are an experienced boat owner, I would think you might be better off buying a used boat as you should be able (with the help of a surveyor) to sniff out the problems on a used boat. My experience level --- well let's just say --- a used boat owner COULD have taken me to the cleaners, because I had NO CLUE what to look for. Now, having owned my 340 for 18 months and having done a lot of the maintanence and repair on the boat myself, I have a better understanding of the problems that might occur on various systems and I would not be AS EASILY fooled. Due to my lack of knowledge, I wanted the "hand holding' of the factory and my dealer on my first purchase. My next boat will probably be a USED 380 in tip-top condition. I'll spend the money on transport instead of NEW and get a bigger boat in the process. BTW, having owned a new boat, I now know what they mean when USED boat owners advertise "Better than new." True story --- many used boats of recent vintage may be better than new. They are debugged (no trivial matter) and they may have LOTS of goodies on them that will bring a fraction of their original value on the resale price but serve to move the boat faster over a boat with fewer options. I'd shop around. If you have a motivated seller, are experienced, look at lots of boats and are a good negotiator you might be far better off on a used boat. Good luck! Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
used ?
Your Hunter dealer has no used/brokerage boats? What a envilable position to be in! Ask him to broker you a good late model hunter and save the cost of "new" There are plenty of good used (read just like new) boats available! Good Luck!
Your Hunter dealer has no used/brokerage boats? What a envilable position to be in! Ask him to broker you a good late model hunter and save the cost of "new" There are plenty of good used (read just like new) boats available! Good Luck!
Walk the Docks
Go out and walk the docks and see if there are any with a sign on them. You may not even need a broker. Take a trip and see what is available around you. I foung my boat on my brokers web page so there are all sorts of options. There are alot of things to buy with the difference in price many of wich are likely already on the pre owned boat.
Go out and walk the docks and see if there are any with a sign on them. You may not even need a broker. Take a trip and see what is available around you. I foung my boat on my brokers web page so there are all sorts of options. There are alot of things to buy with the difference in price many of wich are likely already on the pre owned boat.
used boats
as they say, every boat is for sale... If you can't find what you're looking for used, you're either not looking seriously or like most of us, just rationalizing going for a new one
as they say, every boat is for sale... If you can't find what you're looking for used, you're either not looking seriously or like most of us, just rationalizing going for a new one
Didn't go.....and good points for used
Didn't go look at the "New" Hunters this weekend (It rained). Considering the bulk of responses being pro-used,I guess it's a good thing I didn't. Is there no one with the definitive "buy new" rebuttal? Verrry interesting!! Sense I'm over the hump, I'm back to looking for a good used 31-34. There are several interesting individual listings on the HOW site. I need to contact a few and finish up the bank stuff as well.
Didn't go look at the "New" Hunters this weekend (It rained). Considering the bulk of responses being pro-used,I guess it's a good thing I didn't. Is there no one with the definitive "buy new" rebuttal? Verrry interesting!! Sense I'm over the hump, I'm back to looking for a good used 31-34. There are several interesting individual listings on the HOW site. I need to contact a few and finish up the bank stuff as well.
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