Boat Buying Market

[mobeydick]

I am starting to look into buying a used sailing boat (37-41ft, less than 10 years old, preferably) again, after a pause due to Brexit and Covid19. There does not seem to be much on the market now (although I was previously looking at western Europe, and now just UK so difficult to judge!). I am interested in the collective opinion of the state of the market: have boats gone up in price (like mobile homes), or are people hanging on to them, or are they difficult to sell, or what?

Thanks for any advice/opinion.

 

[Paulfireblade]

I bought mine in May and at that time brokers were taking 10% deposits over the phone on boats unseen within half an hour.

When I was looking there was less boats available than first appeared as many brokers were not bothering to update adverts very quickly.

Prices are fairly strong, I know people who have had a used boat for a few years and sold for slightly more than they bought for.

Brokers and Marina’s suggest less people are selling their boats lately and keeping hold of them due to covid plus you have some extra new buyers.

A sensibly priced boat in good order still seem to sell fairly quickly even in the depth of winter.

Good luck

 

[Concerto]

The market is certainly moving very fast for the depth of winter and I expect the usual rise in prices at the start of the season. Brexit and Covid are certainly making the UK market difficult for buyers.

My advice would be to register with every agent possible so they contact you when a boat is coming on the market. Then you need to make a very fast decision whether to buy or wait for another boat. You may have to consider buying outside the Solent.

Have fun and plenty of luck in finding a boat.

 

[TSB240]

I am starting to look into buying a used sailing boat (37-41ft, less than 10 years old, preferably) again, after a pause due to Brexit and Covid19. There does not seem to be much on the market now (although I was previously looking at western Europe, and now just UK so difficult to judge!). I am interested in the collective opinion of the state of the market: have boats gone up in price (like mobile homes), or are people hanging on to them, or are they difficult to sell, or what?

Thanks for any advice/opinion.

I struggled to buy a boat in your length range last year.

I was only looking in the UK. I used the notification features available in the major sites to track new listing. Many were under offer within hours of adverts going live.

I eventually found something arranged to view with what I thought was exclusivity and a verbal commitment to purchase at full asking price. The broker decided to take someone else's later enquiry sight unseen but with a deposit before I had the opportunity to view!
I was lucky in the end and managed to buy one that had to be relisted due to the prospective purchaser pulling out for health reasons.
I had to compromise on age of boat but found this was compensated for by it's condition, new sails and incredibly low engine hours and it was only 15 minutes away from home!

Friends bought a boat sight unseen using a surveyor during lockdown. The discount on the asking price was minor but they had a season sailing her to find out the extra work that was required to bring her up to their standards.

I dont think things have changed much and brokers are reporting high levels of viewing by actively interested buyers. The fact that buyers are travelling to view before making offers and instructing surveyors may slow the market down a little.

 

[Tranona]

Listed my 2015 33' on 19 December, accepted an offer on 29 December. Survey now complete and just waiting for minor work before completion. Yes prices have shot up. About 15-20% on late model boat in the last year or so.

 

[mobeydick]

Thanks for replies. All very annoying!

 

[Graham376]

I am starting to look into buying a used sailing boat (37-41ft, less than 10 years old, preferably) again, after a pause due to Brexit and Covid19. There does not seem to be much on the market now (although I was previously looking at western Europe, and now just UK so difficult to judge!). I am interested in the collective opinion of the state of the market: have boats gone up in price (like mobile homes), or are people hanging on to them, or are they difficult to sell, or what? Thanks for any advice/opinion.

Don't rule out Europe. Any seller who took their boat there can bring it back without paying VAT or, you could bring it back for them, having deposited the full purchase price in an escrow account for sale to be completed after arrival in UK.

 

[[181131]]

My F33 went under offer after 1:30hr of it being listed (deposit in). Took 4 days for it to complete, start to finish

 

[Tranona]

Don't rule out Europe. Any seller who took their boat there can bring it back without paying VAT or, you could bring it back for them, having deposited the full purchase price in an escrow account for sale to be completed after arrival in UK.

I suspect the number of people that can take advantage of this is tiny. Getting a match between buyer and seller is the first challenge, and then the cost of getting the boat back to UK will take the shine off the potential savings. OK if the boat is high value, unusual, close to UK or owner intended bringing it back anyway - but buying a typical liveaboard boat in say Greece is probably not worth it.