Which Used Hunter Holds it's Resale Value Longest

[Stretch]

Curious to know what owners think about certain models and how they hold at a certain price until other factors precipitate a change.

I will go out on a limb and suggest the Hunter Passage 42 CC has been a winner for holding value, with the Hunter 34 [80's] as runner up.

What would you suggest?

 

[Johnb]

For me, after 13 years of ownership the orginal cost, and depreciation is just the tip of the ice berg.

Original cost od boat - $27,000
Berthing fees - 13*300*12 = $48,300
Insurance 13*150 = $1,950
Haulouts and major upgrades $30,000 and counting
New sails $8,500

and who knows how much on commuting to the boat, minor upgrades, maintenance consummables, fuel, propane, batteries.

 

[Benny17441]

JohnB I agree 110% with you. The depreciation expense of a sailboat may be a minor consideration in the overall cost of owning, sailing and enjoying a boat. I'm not very good at percentages either, it is likely that the depreciation cost of an h49 will be higher than that of an h27 irrespective of each boat's original purchase price and their present value.

 

[drumbeater]

Wow $300 a month for dockage? I didn't realize how lucky I was to have my own dock.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Stretch,

That question is, uhm, quite a stretch!

One answer included costs for elements outside the boat, like dock fees. Might as well have included fuel and maintenance costs, too.

Guess none of us are in boating, like parenting, for the $$!!!

Good boats, with good layouts, if well kept visually and with proper maintenance ends up answering your basic question: it's the condition (like real estate: condition, condition, condition).

Boats, per se, don't "hold" their value, the owners of the boats do it.

I also think that a particular model with a good owners association adds to the value of the particular boat, since usually those associations provide tips & tricks for maintenance and easy owner upgrades . There is value to these types of forums and individual one-design associations.

 

[Stretch]

All things Equal.....

What I was inferring was equal condition for the boats and irrespective of moorage, etc [ours range from 7-16.50 a ft]

Good point about dep. being only part of it.

John's H37 he bought for 27000 could be worth from 20 to 42 or even 55k with many boats in the 20 range and with newer sails he may be close to the same as his purchase price. So he sailed for 13 years for the cost of moorage and yearly upkeep. John's yacht is likely worth even more considering the time and money he has ''invested'' in it.
The H37c is a contender for best value.

 

[Johnb]

Yes, I would like to believe my boat is still worth what I paid for it, or even more, but in the end it's value is what you can sell it for.

My new sails are now 5 years old and my new dodger is 3 years old and the new rigging is 10 years old.

Yes, dockage is expensive and has accounted for on the order of half of all my expenses since we had the boat, but I think this is about average for the area and maybe considerably less than in other parts of the country.

I met a fellow from Stockton CA who had just bought an HC37 for $3000 the week before and was sailing it in the bay. It had belonged to the "son of a rich guy" who moved back East and hadn't been near it for 5 years. He was probably lucky that the engine would still run etc. but whow!

 

[Mark48]

Since the question was holding value not cost of ownership one might simply go to the "Buck blue book" and do some analysis if you have the time that should get you beyond TLC issues and ownership costs. It is a good question for future purchases. You can also check the Practical Sailor guide, but most of the pricing is a bit dated but the value comments may hold.

 

[Greg Olausen]

Objective Resale Value

To compare apples with apples, you need to look at what you paid for the boat vs. what you sold it for. Dock fees, registration, etc.- even the cost of repairs and upgrades- are part of your cost of ownership. I agree that the annual depreciation is probably a lot less than the annual cost of operation and similar expenses.
One factor not emphasized enough is the effect of the condition of the boat when one goes to sell it. A well-maintained vessel showing lots of TLC will be worth more than a poorly maintained one. This may not always hold true, as Johnb's tale of someone sailing away with a 37c for $3000 proves. Thanks for breaking my heart, Johnb! I just paid $20000 for an '82 37c and will spend at least that much getting it into what I consider seaworthy condition.
It's difficult being objective if you love your boat. When the love is gone, sell it.

 

[Stretch]

Greg what condition was your purchase and where will you spend the upgrade money?

 

[Les]

I realize I am at the end of this discussion however, I bought a NEW Hunter 380 in 1989 from a dealer in Seattle for #129,000. I sold the boat after nine years for $121,000 (not a trade in). I had added items to the boat but by and large I would have added them to any boat so I figure they were a given.

I think ALL Hunters hold their value quite well.

 

[Scott B]

I realize I am at the end of this discussion however, I bought a NEW Hunter 380 in 1989 from a dealer in Seattle for #129,000. I sold the boat after nine years for $121,000 (not a trade in). I had added items to the boat but by and large I would have added them to any boat so I figure they were a given.

I think ALL Hunters hold their value quite well.

That may have been true then, but in the past 5 years I have watched prices have drop approx. 20% due to the US economy. The "feeling" is they will now not go any lower and will hold steady, while new boat prices from the dealers, will increase. My '05 H33, bought resale 2 years old, has dropped 20K from what I paid and I've seen simliar drops in prices in the larger boats, H38 and H41. This is for newer resale boats, 2004 +. I have not really paid attention to the older market.

 

[Stretch]

I almost bought an 86 H40 for 99,000 ,but since then I watched as the asking prices dipped to 60,000 in 2 years.
I like the older Passage 42, but they seem more popular than the new 420, with sailors suggesting the newer boat is not as ''stout''. The pre 2000 models hold the resale listings price well.
New prices for Hunters always seem to go up, but would you expect used prices to rebound 20 percent with a surging economy in the next 2 seasons?

 

[Steve Dion]

You are a lot more optimistic than we are out here in the West. "Surging Economy" is probably not in the books with 3.0 +% tax on home sales and deficits of $16b and growing and the folks that run this country not willing to collaborate on ANYTHING.

I would suggest you purchase now what you think you can afford in 3-5 years down the line. Generally the fit and finish of the new boats is superior to the older ones. The manufacturing processes have changed so saying the new newer boats are inferior to the older may or may not be the case.

Maybe the H40 was way over priced to begin with?

 

[rlrmystic]

I enjoyed reading many of the replies here to this post. The original post never mentioned what ones desires were. Who cares if a 42' is best overall value if its not your objective. I consider myself well suited for less then 36' because its my comfort zone single handed. So, perhaps a small , medium and large answer this best. But, why Hunter? Shouldn't it matter best boat!
Thanks for the two minutes

 

[Stretch]

'' "Surging Economy" is probably not in the books with 3.0 +% tax on home sales and deficits of $16b and growing and the folks that run this country not willing to collaborate on ANYTHING.''
Steve, try 5% TAX ON HOME SALES,and no mortgage interest writeoffs....

My original post was meant as a fiscal discussion, not that I would choose a boat on purely resale value, I am easily blinded by ''street appeal''.

''My only books were womens looks and folly's all they taught me''