Sailboat Prices?

Rick Webb · Mar 28, 2010

Maybe it Depends on How it is Presented

If you say to the guy your boats been listed for a year you’re never going to get 90 grand for it how about 67 he might get prickly. What’s the worst he can do hang up on you? On the other hand if presented as that is all your wife will allow you to spend and you really want to buy his boat because it is the most wonderful boat in the world he may feel sorry for you and accept the offer.

On the third hand he may not want to sell it at all. A friend of mine finally gave into his wife to sell the boat and buy an RV. He listed the boat bought the RV they have made one trip in the RV after owning it for a year. What she does not realize is the boat is priced too high and will not sell so he gets to keep the boat. She does not bitch about the money spent on the boat because it won't sell if this or that is broke.

Don S/V ILLusion · Mar 28, 2010

Not sure there is any one, single answer - every seller is different, their motivation is different, how they set price is different, etc. As a seller myself, all I can suggest is that I wouldn't be offended. I wouldn't negotiate from that because I am not motivated to sell but others may. Similarly, whether someone takes offense is equally an individual issue.
I would also say that I know of a few people who have sold their sailboat within the past 12 months and none accepted a reduction even close to 25% but you can never tell...

Joe · Mar 28, 2010

Just make an offer. Geez. Only the boat's seller can answer your question. The very worst that can happen is he says NO, and doesn't counter offer, which is where you are if you never make an offer in the first place.

Ted · Mar 28, 2010

Sailboat prices

Looking on Yachtworld and looking in person are not remotely the same. You have to look beyond price to determine value. The condition of the hull and deck, the quality of hardware and types of upgrades, the electronics and sail inventory, how the boat was maintained, all play into the overall value of a boat. You can't begin to compare boat prices unless you know the specifics. In the past when selling a boat, I had people call me and make low offers without ever seeing the boat. That would piss me off and they were not buyers that I would consider serious. A serious seller will have done their homework and will know the true value of their boat. If they want to sell it, it will be priced accordingly. There is nothing wrong with negotiating a fair number in this economy. You can always raise your offer but try not to insult the seller by comparing his boat with a derelict boat in the marina down the road with an asking price of 25% less. Do your homework too. On the other hand, there are many families struggling to survive. Selling their boat is a way to put food on the table and provide for their children. There are opportunities for sure. I am thankful every day that it's not me looking for a way to get through these difficult times. Been there before and it's not fun.

higgs · Mar 28, 2010

I would not hesitate to offer a low price in this economy. We just picked up a Florida condo at 20% under asking, but we started at 40% under.

Deleted member 78819 · Mar 28, 2010

You can find the value of a used sailboat on the NADA web site. No reason to hesitate about offering less than the current owner is asking. All they can say is no. You might just get lucky.

MrBee · Mar 28, 2010

About this time last year I wanted to make an offer on a boat we looked at. I had email contact with the owner and the broker. Was seriously about to make an offer and talked to the owner. Before i could, he said he was firm on price $500.00 less than listed on Yatchworld, boat had to have deposit before going in water or it was not for sale any longer and wanted escrow held but would only cover fuel filters if engine had a problem. Till then I was going to make a first offer of $9500.00 on a $11995 price. I walked, found the same model 2 weeks later in better shape, bigger motor, private seller for a lot less. Mid to late summer he dropped his price to a few grand less than I was going to offer. Boat is still for sale.....

If I was selling and you made a lowball offer without even looking at the boat in person, I would turn you down unless I really need to sell it.
If you know what you want go look at all of them, make a list starting with the one you want the most then start making offers based on their condition. One of them will probably be open to a low offer just to make the sale, especially with the summer season fee's about to be due.
When we did find the boat we wanted and knew the price was good I didn't play games. Put money down and bought it. For you there are plenty of those models for sale. The boat I wanted was hard to find in good shape.

Just remember to look at EVERYTHING and IS IT WORKING. you might save a few grand on one boat versus another but if a few electronics are not working that could cost you that much and more.
Happy shopping

Bee

RECESS · Mar 28, 2010

I offered 60% of the asking price of my current sailboat. We spent the entire day going over the boat and then I said what my budget would allow. There was a long silence and then not even a counter offer, they just said yes.

You make an offer of what you feel is the market price or your budget. Make sure to hold back some money for repairs, there are always necessary repairs and items you value but the current owner does not.

sailingdog · Mar 28, 2010

The worst they can say is no....they could counter offer or they could say yes... three choices.

kenn · Mar 28, 2010

There are several levels to the market, depending on type, size, age, equipment.

At the 2006/2007 level... that's just between the 'new' and the used market and serious money is involved. I doubt that someone selling a 30' boat that's nearly new is living on foodstamps, nonetheless they might be ...motivated.

I'm like Ted - if someone phoned and immediately started with lowball offers without seeing the boat, I would think this guy's just a tire-kicker, and I wouldn't get into it. I'd either tell them to come look then offer, or if the offered price is still within my price, I'd say OK, as-is, bring or wire a cash deposit, and treat it as an unconditional offer to purchase ("money talks, BS walks").

I suppose that if a caller was straight up with me and said my budget is X, could your boat be in my budget, I would give an honest answer, but it would have to be realistic.

Good luck.

Hermit Scott · Mar 28, 2010

If you are worried about hurting his feelings then give him a hug afterwards. But there is nothing personal about this. The question is what ARE you willing to spend on a particular boat. I recommend reading a book on negotiating before you make an offer. The art of the deal, something like that. There is a way to offer the low ball more effectively than drive by low ball offers that are likely to piss them off and be completely ineffective.

Port Sanilac Marina · Mar 29, 2010

The 89 k price is high for a 2006 to 2007 unless the boat has every single option available and has less than 40 hours of use.Most owners remember what they paid for the boat and try to get it back,if its been on yachtworld for over a year there is a issue with the boat or the owners.The biggest thing is the senitmental attachment boat owners get for their boat, most of people out there shoping or surfing yachtworld are looking for that great deal and feel like if they don't beat the seller up a bit they didn't do what they are supposed to.
A yacht broker working or listing on yachtworld can do the public can't, a sold boat report which will tell you what like boats have sold for.
To give you a example I have a new never sold in stock 2006 Hunter 31 that has a full one year warranty for less than the 89 k you mention.I suggest you find a broker you like and start working with him,it what we do for a living

Liam · Mar 29, 2010

Give it a try

The boat I own now was 6 months old and listed for $115k. I offered $80k. Seller counter-offered $85k. Can't hurt to try.

Brian M H23 · Mar 29, 2010

I've bought a few things on lowball, as-is deals. Generally the conversations go like this

"Hi, do you still have that supoercharged 5.4 mustang engine?"
"Yup. $1200"
"I have $700 cash. I'll be there in an hour with a pickup truck. Call me back within an hour"
(30 mins later)
"Sold"

To me, a lowball offer is perfectly fine, but you can't be picky after you make the offer. Doing such makes you a waste of time to the seller - he's selling low because it's low hassle.

racer2677 · Mar 29, 2010

Buying a boat is not much different from buying a house. It's ok to offer 25% or less for a boat you are interested in. The thing to do is to act as though you don't care whether you get that particular boat or not. If the owner really wants to sell, he will generally come back with a counter offer. Then the haggling begins. In the current market you may be surprised at how much less you might have to pay for the boat.

Good hunting.

kgrudo · Mar 29, 2010

The value of a boat is in the condition and equipment. The person that pointed out this out hit the nail on the head. You need to look at the vessel for an initial evaluation. If you don't feel qualified to do that, perhaps you need to consider not owning a sailboat, unless you are made of money and can afford to have others do all your maintenance and repairs.

If you are satisfied then you can do your homework. Get it inspected. A qualified marine surveyor will also give you a value based on comparable "sails". (joke intended).

Consider also those things that add to safety and comfort. A roller furling, an in-mast furler, radar, instrumentation, auto pilot, bimini, all contibute to safety and comfort. Adding those later will really add up.

With all the information in hand, educating the seller may prove to be beneficial for both of you. Good luck with your search.

caguy · Mar 29, 2010

What ever happened to the old saying regarding boats, ''If you have to ask you can't afford it.''

When I bought my boat the owner offered a good more than fair price. I was already sold on the boat and while I was silently mauling in my head where I would keep the boat he lowered the price by 25%. I didn't say anything because now I was thinking about how to haul it out of here with my VW van and whether I would need a new truck. While pondering that he dropped the price again to more than 50%. Now it was getting embarrassing and I felt sorry for the guy so I stopped him and told him I would take it. I told him that I was just pondering on where to keep it. He offered to keep it there as long as I needed. I began to get the feeling that he was desperate and felt sorry for his kids who were poorly dressed so I offered him $20 per month to store it there. I paid him for a years storage upfront and he was thrilled. So was I because I was able to hide it from my wife while I fixed it up.

Clark · Mar 29, 2010

Don't forget that the Yachtworld price . .

includes a 10% commission if from a broker and may have additional markup if actually owned by a dealer.

miatapaul · Mar 29, 2010

2006-2007 Catalina/Hunter 30ish boats are still likely to have quite a lot left on there loans so they may be looking to recover what they owe.

Sailboat Prices?

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