Autumn Sales ???

[CraigB]

Hello all, I've been learning a lot from this site for a while now but this is my first posting. So here goes..

My girlfriend and I have been making plans to buy a yacht either late this year or early next. I was wondering whether those with more experience than I might comment on whether there is a general trend towards cheaper prices and better availability in the later months of the year, rather than those leading up to summer? (Or would this be a wild and unfounded assumption, making an ass of...etc.)

Thanks, Craig.

 

[StugeronSteve]

Sellers will tend to look with interest at an offer made in the back end of the year, because boats don't tend to sell until spring.

 

[CraigB]

Thanks, that was more or less my thinking too.

 

[Juggler7823]

The 'special offers' tend to appear at the Southampton and London boat shows

 

[CraigB]

Damn. I'll be out of the country. Have to send my girlfriend down to look for a bargain..

 

[aitchw]

If you are looking at used boats end of the summer season/autumn can be good because anyone thinking of selling will not want the winter fees to pay so ....... Later on in Jan/Feb nobody much is looking to buy so prices for what is around can be depressed. Spring and early Summer should be avoided at all costs.

 

[Sailfree]

FWIW When I was about to buy a third boat from the same person he advised me that the best time was in June. Sales are easy at the SBS and autumn as people want delivery in spring next year. LBS will generate sales for summer delivery but who wants to buy in June for a winter delivery but it could be an important sale to them to make up sufficient numbers to earn a bonus.

Even if June is the best time ultimately you have to decide when you can afford one and when you ideally want one. As nearly all boats are now manufactured abroad the relevant exchange rate fluctuation and the increased raw material costs will probably have a bigger influence on the final price. Oil price directly affects resin prices and world demand for steel is pushing up the rest.

The only good news for us UK based yachties is probable the removal of red diesel and cheap air flights as this will tip a number of MoBo owners and a few yachties to do the sensible thing and move their boats to France and various point south leaving MDL's opportunistic annual price increases to be negative. Now let me wake up and stop dreaming.

 

[CraigB]

Thank you for your very interesting comments. I don't think I'll have a big enough pile to consider a new boat yet, it will be the secondhand market I'll be looking at.

 

[Sailfree]

I think most people try to sell in the Autumn a number having ordered new boats. From comments on here my understanding is that very few boats get the advertised price that brokers request. Good condition boats reasonably priced can sell OK but it can be a slow process. A number of people who have ordered new boats get desperate to sell when delivery of the new boat nears and a number of others get desperate when MDL and friends come round in March for the annual berthing fee.

Start looking now and get a feel for what you want plus the realistic price, phone up old adds and see if sold and if sold politely ask what price.

Hope that helps.

 

[Sybarite]

Why don't you pop over to Le Crouesty (Morbihan) at the end of October. It is the largest sale of second hand boats ("Le Mille Sabords") in Europe and this will give you a good feel for the market and, I believe, an eye-opener vis à vis UK prices.

John

 

[CraigB]

Hi Sybarite, I was interested to read your suggestion about visiting Le Mille Sabords. We are looking for something pretty standard - second hand AWB 30-40 foot range. Have you been to this show before, and do you think there'll be plenty of this type to look at?

 

[Sybarite]

Yes I am sure of it. They have a wide selection from dinghies upwards but the the popular AWB's tend to go more quickly. I would therefore try to be there at the opening or even the day before to make contact with the owners.

As I said, it would give you a good idea of the market. If you wanted to conclude at the show you should probably arrange for a banker's cheque for about 10% of the amount you intend to pay in order to reserve the deal.

John

 

[CraigB]

Okay, thanks. All good to know.