Has anyone seen (or even expects to see) the price of used Catalina's fall as a result of the economic slowdown? I thought this might be especially true on the West Coast as more and more dot.coms become dot.gones. As for myself, I haven't seen this as yet and I do expect to do some serious shopping in a year or so… Marc C320 Hull#???
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Ricahrd
economy
I am sure the prices will fall a bit. They are predicting housing prices to fall up to 25% so boat prices might fall some. The economy is certainly in trouble, but the average joe just has not faced reality yet.
I am sure the prices will fall a bit. They are predicting housing prices to fall up to 25% so boat prices might fall some. The economy is certainly in trouble, but the average joe just has not faced reality yet.
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gary jensen
economic slowing
The economy may be slowing and prices may stabilize, but if you expect to see prices fall---FORGET THAT. People are always expecting price drops and try to hold on for the elusive "great deal". Its just not going to happen. The first chance you can afford your dream boat,go for it. You may NEVER be able to if you don't act. Every day that you don't have a boat is a lost day of sailing. good luck
The economy may be slowing and prices may stabilize, but if you expect to see prices fall---FORGET THAT. People are always expecting price drops and try to hold on for the elusive "great deal". Its just not going to happen. The first chance you can afford your dream boat,go for it. You may NEVER be able to if you don't act. Every day that you don't have a boat is a lost day of sailing. good luck
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Chris Hyland
Economy
Marc, My wife and I just bought a new Catalina 36 Mark II back in January. The dealer told me he's selling boats faster than he can get them. He also said nothing smaller than 32ft... All bigger boats. People have money out there... The economy has slowed a bit, god knows my mutual funds are sucking wind, but boats are generally bought on cash flow rather than paid for out right. Most people still have jobs. I don't feel to bad for most of the dot comers because they were making truck loads of money when they were working. If they didn't save anything they're stupid. The ones that invested didn't know what a bond was and put all of the money into high flyer IPO's. They lost money hand over fist. I worked with young guys making six figures that had nothing to show for it. They lived in apartments with juck furniture but always had the latest toys. They day traded thier futures away looking for that big score. I grew up in a family that handled money responsibly and cautiously, guess some of that rubbed off, thanks Mom and Dad! Can't say that too loud, my Dad would faint if he thought something actually sunk in! Up here in New England trying to find a slip is like looking for a four leafed clover. scarce as hens teeth. There is no evidence of a slowdown here. If we get any kind of real tax cut, say goodbye to a slowdown. Then again you'll have more money to buy a new boat. Best of luck in your search. Regards, Chris
Marc, My wife and I just bought a new Catalina 36 Mark II back in January. The dealer told me he's selling boats faster than he can get them. He also said nothing smaller than 32ft... All bigger boats. People have money out there... The economy has slowed a bit, god knows my mutual funds are sucking wind, but boats are generally bought on cash flow rather than paid for out right. Most people still have jobs. I don't feel to bad for most of the dot comers because they were making truck loads of money when they were working. If they didn't save anything they're stupid. The ones that invested didn't know what a bond was and put all of the money into high flyer IPO's. They lost money hand over fist. I worked with young guys making six figures that had nothing to show for it. They lived in apartments with juck furniture but always had the latest toys. They day traded thier futures away looking for that big score. I grew up in a family that handled money responsibly and cautiously, guess some of that rubbed off, thanks Mom and Dad! Can't say that too loud, my Dad would faint if he thought something actually sunk in! Up here in New England trying to find a slip is like looking for a four leafed clover. scarce as hens teeth. There is no evidence of a slowdown here. If we get any kind of real tax cut, say goodbye to a slowdown. Then again you'll have more money to buy a new boat. Best of luck in your search. Regards, Chris
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Tom
Not with the tax cuts.
The last time that boat prices went down was during the Luxury tax days. Whe they taxed things like boats, then the medium priced boat prices went down a bit. I wish the real estate prices would go down, but it is still a buyer's market. Besides, all the Dot Commers are still doing fine, there were always more positions than people, now there is less of a vacuum.
The last time that boat prices went down was during the Luxury tax days. Whe they taxed things like boats, then the medium priced boat prices went down a bit. I wish the real estate prices would go down, but it is still a buyer's market. Besides, all the Dot Commers are still doing fine, there were always more positions than people, now there is less of a vacuum.
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Carl
Fat Chance
I agree with Chris and Gary. Sure we're due for another economic slow down. Recessions seems to come around about every 11 years, and the last one ended in the ealry 90s. But I'm not the type of person who tries to wait out purchase decisons hoping for the unseen hand of economic forces to make my timing more favorable. Heck, if I had a used boat to sell and somebody came swooping down in a recession hoping to make a quick purchase at my expense, I'd jack the price up! I sold a house myself during the last recession and not only saved the 6% realtors commisiion, but got $1100 over my asking prcie for the house. So I say phoohy to all you think you're going to make a quick buck at someone else's expense.
I agree with Chris and Gary. Sure we're due for another economic slow down. Recessions seems to come around about every 11 years, and the last one ended in the ealry 90s. But I'm not the type of person who tries to wait out purchase decisons hoping for the unseen hand of economic forces to make my timing more favorable. Heck, if I had a used boat to sell and somebody came swooping down in a recession hoping to make a quick purchase at my expense, I'd jack the price up! I sold a house myself during the last recession and not only saved the 6% realtors commisiion, but got $1100 over my asking prcie for the house. So I say phoohy to all you think you're going to make a quick buck at someone else's expense.
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gary jensen
Economy (again)
To add to my earlier post.....What if you wait for prices to go down and they go UP????? You will not only have lost out on sailing time but you may not be able to get the boat that you once could afford. That would be a double loss. However if you get the boat you could afford now, and the boat prices go up, then you will have made out twice as well.You will have been sailing and your boat will be of more value. I sailed my 36 catalina for seven years and sold it for $20K more than I bought it. The 380 that I purchased in Feb 2000 is worth more now too...AND I'v been sailing!!!!!
To add to my earlier post.....What if you wait for prices to go down and they go UP????? You will not only have lost out on sailing time but you may not be able to get the boat that you once could afford. That would be a double loss. However if you get the boat you could afford now, and the boat prices go up, then you will have made out twice as well.You will have been sailing and your boat will be of more value. I sailed my 36 catalina for seven years and sold it for $20K more than I bought it. The 380 that I purchased in Feb 2000 is worth more now too...AND I'v been sailing!!!!!
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Rob Rich
I agree with Gary and Carl
Simple fact is that it might take up to two years before prices come down.. IF they come down. Like Gary said, every day spent not sailing is a wasted day - take it from a guy who is going out tomorrow and cannot wait to fire up the old Atomic 4 and raise the sails. Even if you take a 2 or 3 thousand dollar bite, it may make up for itself in a few years. The best bet is to buy now at a good price (preferably under market value, which is what I did). If your intent is short term, I would look into a sailing club that rents late model craft - the risks of ownership are greatly reduced in that arena, and it allows you to sail in the meantime. Best of Luck, Rob Rich
Simple fact is that it might take up to two years before prices come down.. IF they come down. Like Gary said, every day spent not sailing is a wasted day - take it from a guy who is going out tomorrow and cannot wait to fire up the old Atomic 4 and raise the sails. Even if you take a 2 or 3 thousand dollar bite, it may make up for itself in a few years. The best bet is to buy now at a good price (preferably under market value, which is what I did). If your intent is short term, I would look into a sailing club that rents late model craft - the risks of ownership are greatly reduced in that arena, and it allows you to sail in the meantime. Best of Luck, Rob Rich
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John Manfredi
sailing is no place to save $
After 20 years and 4 new and used sailboats I would just caution that sailing is no place to figure on saving money. We looked for a year and finally bought a near perfect condition 10 year old Catalina 30. In the past year this boat has drained our bank account. Moorage, sails, dodgers, bottom paint, fixed and running rigging, gear, electronics repairs, insurance, engine supplies, cleaners, waxes, calks and sealants, etc; not that we have done all these things yet, mind you. I would have never believed annual moorage & maintenance costs ranging from $5000 to $10,000 (not including financing); but that's what it takes if you do most of the work yourself. So just figure to spend lots of chore time and money on your used boat. Anyone that tells you otherwise is a salesman or just in boater's denial. Still with all this we love our sailboat. Last year we probably worked on it for about 50 days and sailed about 50 days. Maybe we're better to be in denial.
After 20 years and 4 new and used sailboats I would just caution that sailing is no place to figure on saving money. We looked for a year and finally bought a near perfect condition 10 year old Catalina 30. In the past year this boat has drained our bank account. Moorage, sails, dodgers, bottom paint, fixed and running rigging, gear, electronics repairs, insurance, engine supplies, cleaners, waxes, calks and sealants, etc; not that we have done all these things yet, mind you. I would have never believed annual moorage & maintenance costs ranging from $5000 to $10,000 (not including financing); but that's what it takes if you do most of the work yourself. So just figure to spend lots of chore time and money on your used boat. Anyone that tells you otherwise is a salesman or just in boater's denial. Still with all this we love our sailboat. Last year we probably worked on it for about 50 days and sailed about 50 days. Maybe we're better to be in denial.
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Chris Hyland
John is so right!
John, I really got a kick out of your post. My wife and I just bought a new C36 to get around the maintenance costs your speaking of. Being DINK's (Dual income no kids) we have a little more money than time so we thought we'd rather spend the time sailing. After writing a check for the down payment that was bigger than what we put down on our house, we are learning the fun was just beginning! The boat cost more than our house did ten years ago. I've never written so many checks with commas in them in my life! The boat deal included about 6 grand in electronics. I just got a quote for the rest of the electronics and it was 10K. My wife was reaching for the oxygen mask for me. I think she's going out to buy a portable defibrillator to keep handy. I think we're all used to being nickel and dimmed, but we're talking several orders of magnitude here. Now it's 500 and a thousand at a time. One guy says it takes 22 hours to install an autopilot and another say 8 hours. Seventeen hundred bucks for a stereo, a car stereo at that! Please spare me! When the guy asked me about a flat panel TV for the boat I should have broke out into a sprint for my car! Oh well I never expected the new "Get a Life" program to be cheap! The boating public are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met, but the vendors that make a living off us seem to think we have a money printing press! Oh well I off to get more quotes, hopefully from some vendors that care about doing a good job at reasonable prices. Regards, Chris
John, I really got a kick out of your post. My wife and I just bought a new C36 to get around the maintenance costs your speaking of. Being DINK's (Dual income no kids) we have a little more money than time so we thought we'd rather spend the time sailing. After writing a check for the down payment that was bigger than what we put down on our house, we are learning the fun was just beginning! The boat cost more than our house did ten years ago. I've never written so many checks with commas in them in my life! The boat deal included about 6 grand in electronics. I just got a quote for the rest of the electronics and it was 10K. My wife was reaching for the oxygen mask for me. I think she's going out to buy a portable defibrillator to keep handy. I think we're all used to being nickel and dimmed, but we're talking several orders of magnitude here. Now it's 500 and a thousand at a time. One guy says it takes 22 hours to install an autopilot and another say 8 hours. Seventeen hundred bucks for a stereo, a car stereo at that! Please spare me! When the guy asked me about a flat panel TV for the boat I should have broke out into a sprint for my car! Oh well I never expected the new "Get a Life" program to be cheap! The boating public are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met, but the vendors that make a living off us seem to think we have a money printing press! Oh well I off to get more quotes, hopefully from some vendors that care about doing a good job at reasonable prices. Regards, Chris
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