Brokers and the market

[joanne2]

Just sold our first boat having put her on market with broker during second week of September and collected the cheque last weekend. We were pleased with the service, price and quick and painless sale. Now looking to purchase next craft (Fairline Corniche) and unsure of the real state of the market - were we just lucky to sell so quickly or is the market bouyant (forgive pun)?

 

[kghowe]

Just sold our first boat, took just about 4 weeks. think it depends more on the boat. Good ones sell quick. Look back at some of the old ads in MBY and you can see the same boats for sale a year (or 2) later. Corniche and similar are hard to find, the ones on shafts and AD41's seem to sell very very quickly. Getting the right cabin layout is also difficult if you want the bunked side cabin. In the end we had to go to France to get what we wanted (but a bit cheaper). Found the brokers (except Boatmatch.com) a complete waste of time.

 

[BarryD]

On the market for six / eight weeks with no interest at all. I can only assume it is the price as the boat is surveyed "as new" but the broker sez stay firm. Not him losing money I guess.

So you unscrew this, and put it safely here, then oopps...
All - IMHO, BTW, FWIW and NWGOI

 

[Hughie]

In my experience it is all down to price - then spec (particularly engines) then general condition. All our boats have been slow to sell when asking top dollar - regardless of general condition and then once we've advertised at a more realistic price- bingo! Note, what a broker is trying to sell the boat for, may bear no relationship to it's value.

A boat is only worth what someone is prepared to pay!

 

[andyball]

American sports boat...top money? ,at the end of the season....you might not sell it 'til spring.
Also Opal Marine isn't the top of list of places I'd contact if I were looking for an American boat.

Opal's service?- we pretty much had the brush off from them several times when interested in buying- and turning up in person.
"Oh, it's over that side somewhere, at the end of one of the pontoons, not sure which one" was the response when we asked to look over a small walk-round
(Seaway I think, it's probably still there now...) They "couldn't find the keys" of course.

Just our personal experience,fwiw.

 

[DavidJ]

My perception is that the market this year has been bouyant especially for new boats, although slowing down now for autumn/winter.
It's driven by relatively low interest rates and a mood of uncertainty where people say 'to hell with it, let's do it, let's live!'
It's been more economic to invest in a boat than in IT this year that's for sure.
David

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

If you've got a popular mainstream boat at a fair price, it will sell quickly. However, if you're asking silly money or got an unusual boat, it will stick around
Another factor is the broker and the location of your boat. Find a broker who specializes in your type of boat and take advantage of any free mooring deal whereby you stick it FOC in the brokers marina until it sells. I find it amazing but many buyers apparently turn up on spec and dont want to travel to see a boat so they buy what they see outside the broker's office

 

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

Just seen your boat up for sale at essex boatyards website. I weas there yesterday and didnt see it, but its a new addition today according to their site. Why are you selling and what are maxums like offshore? I am looking to buy something soonish to take to the med next year.

 

[Guest]

Agree with that about broker specialising in your boat, gonna put the Crown on Brooms brokerage lying
medway for a couple of months then if she does'nt go cruise her up to Brundall. Many volanteers to help
me already.

"The Med has got me" (no not the Medway the other Med)

 

[coliholic]

We had a look at Am Pie at Chichester a few weeks ago. Real nice boat, super layout, low hours, good condition and got a bowthruster too. Only reason we didn't go further with it is because I really fancy a flybridge next time, never having had one before.

Perceived wisdom here on the board that I've picked up on over the past 3 years or so, is that Express\Sports Cruiser type boats, like the Maxum, are better than flybridge for Med use, but vice versa for UK.

Anyway, Obi, worth you having a chat with Barry about her. Send him a PM. Never know I might get brokers commission out of this.

 

[c_j]

I think the market is extremely buoyant at present. We sold our V40, well took a deposit, after around 3 weeks and have had loads more enquiries since. I decided that if I cannot get the boat I want then I would get another, slightly younger V40/42. They seem to be quite rare in the right cockpit/engine/price configuration.

Any one know of a Targa 48 for sale let me know, theres a fiver in it for you if I buy it, £10 if no broker!

CJ
chris@stone.uk.com

www.stone.uk.com