Why are sailboats in Pacific NW so expensive?

[mark_swart]

I have been doing boat research to prepare for the chance I might be relocated to the Tacoma, Wash., area and I am surprised at how expensive older used boats are up there (as opposed to the east coast or even California.) It seems a bit of a stretch that a 70s Catalina 30 would still bring an asking price close to $20K. And there don't seem to be very many boats from the 80s at all. I have been looking in the regular places -- Yachtworld, Boattraderonline and Craigslist. Any theories on why boats there seem more expensive? Smaller market?

 

[Phil Herring]

Probably less competition because we're more isolated up here. Also, boats here tend to be in better shape, less UV damaged, than southern boats. Or at least, the gelcoat looks better.

 

[Mikem]

And depending where they were built the shipping cost to get the boat here in the first place is also a factor.

 

[Rick D]

And...

Probably less competition because we're more isolated up here. Also, boats here tend to be in better shape, less UV damaged, than southern boats. Or at least, the gelcoat looks better.

... you don't need a washdown service

 

[Calif. Ted]

Or at least, the gelcoat looks better.

That's why you aren't supposed to buy used cars or boats in the rain, they only look shiney when wet.
Actually, couple years ago there seemed to be a minor epidemic of people from Cascadia coming down and buying boats to ship north.

 

[shemandr]

I would think a 70's 30 foot boat should be under $10,000 at this point. And I would say those should be in pretty good shape. So ... what does it cost to ship one from The Great Lakes, or Southern California? Probably $6,000 including taking mast down, packing, shrink wrap, transport, re-set up ... maybe more depending on how much is professionally done vs. DIY.
$16,000 vs. $ 20,000? Seems close enough.

"... you don't need a washdown service" ........ Schmack!!!

 

[Calif. Ted]

Gotta remember also in the 70's all those boats were built here in So. Cal., Islander, Catalina, PSC, Etc. etc. You can't spit in a marina down here without hitting a Catalina 30.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I have always believed that there is a kinda "law" that says: "The value/cost of a boat is inversely proportional to its distance from the equator."

Plus, a C30 in VERY good condition could well be worth that asking price. And, most boats up there have diesel heaters in them, a very useful feature even for us here in N. California.

 

[Calif. Ted]

And, most boats up there have diesel heaters in them, a very useful feature even for us here in N. California.

So will my next boat down here, even if I have to go to San Francisco again to find it. I dislike those horrible cold nights in the 40's.

 

[Chris Patterson]

If I had to make an offhand guess, I'd say it's the age old adage of supply and demand. What the market will bear. I know of two C30's around here that sold for 5 grand. There's an Islander Bahama here on the hill for 7, and has a brand new Yanmar in it.

Maybe I need to figure out how to get some of these boats shipped to the N.W. cheap, and turn a buck..

 

[mark_swart]

Chris -- I think if you had time and a place to leave them for cheap, it would be worth it. A few nice leisurely trips from Cali up to Seattle each year might be a fun retirement gig!!
Thanks for all the responses!

 

[Tim C350 April IV]

Might also check out the listings in our local sailing magazine: 48degrees North.

 

[Sail Wizard]

boat prices in the Sound

I have been doing boat research to prepare for the chance I might be relocated to the Tacoma, Wash., area and I am surprised at how expensive older used boats are up there (as opposed to the east coast or even California.) It seems a bit of a stretch that a 70s Catalina 30 would still bring an asking price close to $20K. And there don't seem to be very many boats from the 80s at all. I have been looking in the regular places -- Yachtworld, Boattraderonline and Craigslist. Any theories on why boats there seem more expensive? Smaller market?

Thread, This is one of the biggest markets for boats since we have so many places to motor or sail, but they go fast. I looked for several years to find the Macgregor 26d that I wanted at a reasonable price. I think people up here hold onto their boats longer even if they don't sail them, Just look at the full marinas on a nice day. Sail boats are more pricy now because very little gas is needed and since the economy dropped so did the moorage prices up here in Everett and they can live aboard in a lot of slips espcially off the river in the sloughs. And if you're looking in winter the market is smaller. Come spring, (and that starts about July 29th at 2:00 in the afternoon), then there are lots of them for sail. I've accually had to wait in a line to look at some boats when they were moored at Everett Marina, so you gotta be quick too. And when you do get out on the sound you may notice a lot more official craft: we have several naval bases, Boeing, Coast Guard Stations, Whidby Naval Air Station, and all the local counties and small towns, even on little lakes, have their own inforcment arenas. But they are nice and they are helpful, but ask them before you go out what you need and are required to have and do cause they carry a whole box of ticket pads. But boats are friendly and helpful, lots to see and do and a bunch of places to have a lot of fun, Tacoma's only about 60 knotical miles on the water from here and I'm not even half way to the top of the crusing area.
Hope you come on out, I'm sure there are some locals who know of marinas that have contacts and can find you what you need, and if you can do a bit of your own work I've seen 30footers for under $10,000 in really nice shape. Just need a little TLC.

 

[Ray Bowles]

My wife and I shopped boats here in the Puget Sound area 1 year before we went south looking from Alabama to Florida. On average the boats in the NW were in better shape and well equiped, many with pilot houses and heaters.
The south had more boats, many in much lower condition. They were equiped for much warmer use and had better electronics. They also displayed the effects of the sun and heat. The interiors usually a little rougher and worn.
We ended up buying a late model upper end boat for a good 40% less than in the NW and equiped to the teeth for crusing. It had just returned from Europe after a major refit.
If you are after a higher end boat I would go south and sail it back up here. If you are limited on money go south, buy and then bail out and go further south.
Ray

 

[fox islander]

...I bought a C30 here in the PNW about 5 yrs ago. Took me 2 years to find what I was looking for...a clean, well maintained boat, without a lot of cheesy mods, or outdated electronics. My next buy in a year or two will include a search of calif. boats...just so much more to choose from.

 

[Benny17441]

That happens when you have a small market in a very desirable but practically remote sailing venue. Delivery costs wether via water or carrier significantly influence the price. Just realize that when you go to sell the boat you may recover that portion back.

 

[FastOlson]

It's all about heat, salt air, and and UV damage...
NW boats have far far (far!) less of these than the cooked-well-done FL or SoCal boats.

Rigging lasts longer and hulls look better at 20 and even 30 years of age.

On the minus side, if NW owners fail to do their due diligence in rebedding deck fittings and toe rails, the boats can suffer major deck core rot........
(I once helped move (in protected waters!) a 70's Cat 30 with a foredeck that bounced like a trampolene.)

There are likely lots of other reasons and annecdotal evidence, but this is just a start.

And as others have said, there's always supply-and-demand.

Happy shopping!


As for us, when we bought our present boat, we split the difference, distance wise, and had one trucked back up here from SF.

One more random thought... when you shop for a boat model over 25 years old, be aware that the price will vary by 200% or 400% from the un-maintained "project boats" to the (Rare!) turn key ones. I personally know of a fully-maintained Cat 30 that's for sale in my area now for 32K. While you can find Gawd-awful ones for under 7K, you really do get "what you pay for" or.... less....

This one, http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/boa/3607495842.html
is only for sale because the owners have decided to move to a trawler. And no, I am not a broker and have no personal interest.

 

[Cayenne]

Just bought a 1977 Catalina 30 for $1.00 and I hope I did not over payed. The Atomic 4 is not good even for a mooring. Has not moved from it's mooring in over 3 years. It's in Christiansted, ST. Croix, VI. Needs everything. Right n ow I am doing mayor clean up inside to remove the mold. Washed the cushion fabric. Has an outboard bracket and a dubious 8 HP engine that was stored inside. Surprisingly the bilge is completely dry. Also will need to scrape the bottom growth a spatula. The stanchions are rusted and cracked. I needed a project and did get one.