Do you think people are selling their boats?

I think a lot of the sales of new boats are made to people who are new or inexeperianced with boats (a market which has been expanding - to date). In the same way that folk buy a new car when buying secondhand offers much more value - but you have to be confident in your ability.

Plus you have the ease, where a dealer will help you a lot more for a new boat........... in exchange for a signature on the Loan form.

I steered my mate to a Channel Island 22 for his first boat a couple of years back - he is happy with it - but wouldn't have bought something 25 years old without me helping him. For his next boat he wants something in the 30/35 foot range and wants to buy new, mainly because he wants to avoid any problems caused by a previous owner - especially on the engines.

He would prefer to pay up front for the peace of mind than "risk" an endless stream of repair bills or having to re-engine a boat.

Alone, he would probably have gone straight for a new 30/35 footer (and signed a loan form) on teh basis that it was "the safe option" my thinking with the CI22 was in addition to being a solid boat to learn on, that it was also a boat he would have no trouble selling (it's a nice one and he has kept it that way) so if he absolutely hated the boat or boating in general that any "knock" he would take would be relatively small. Unlike if he was doing the same with a new 30/35 footer - he has learnt a lot with the CI22 and now has a lot better idea of what he actually wants from his next boat - although he is not sure he does actually want to sell her.
 
Have to agree on the nuclear power point Paul. There doesn't seem to be a lot of alternative now as at least its clean apart from the waste products, but if they can sort out fusion rather than fission, we stand a good chance of solving the energy problem. Fusion, clean and less toxic wate.

The fuel cell has been around for ages but IMHO the oil companies have been suppressing any technology that would affect their business.

I am just designing a job where we are going to use a load of Photovoltaic arrays to offset the building electrical energy needs..........who makes them.........BP. Need I say more!

JH
 
I sold Callisto in 4 days. Realistic price, had a sensible offer, so took it. was in a good position to buy the new one, made an offer that I really didn't expect to be accepted and it wasn't so I upped it a bit and still got a great deal. seller and buyer both happy. You are right. People won't pay unrealistic prices. Anything is only worth what someone is prepared to pay.

JH
 
Swedes and the French have nuclear know-how...

...whereas in the UK all the effort has been put into decommissioning. Even reprocessing has taken a back seat because of the anti nuclear lobby.
Now we're in a position that if the decision is taken to build new reactors we will need to import the expertise. Iran probably has more nuclear technicians than us.
Here's the rub... since Sizewell and Hunterston B successive governments have shied away from any planning of nuclear power stations because they know their own nimby backbenchers will rebel. Now the plants will have to be rushed through without measured scrutiny.
Its a shambles.
 
Yep, It is the old Price Vs Demand Elasticity argument, limited demand means limited price. At the end of the day people have to be realistic about boat values. we all hate to accept depreciation but at times we have too. I could have sold my boat this year at the 'Right Price' but felt it was worth more to me. I also suspected that a few cosmetic Issues (old Canopy and mildew on a few berth cushions) hampered the sale. All will be put right and then I will try again next year. I am sure I know what it will definitely sell at, and I know what I would like for her. I will put her up at a price in between and be open to offers. It will also look great, smell great and have lots of flatscreen TV's so that it can be used as a floating caravan.

What I forgot was that I spend a fortune on Engine/outdrive/electrical system maintenance and forgot about the visible stuff. It was not bad, more middle of the road but it was only cosmetic!

If there is a buyer who wants your boat it will sell, if there is no one around use the price elasticity to tempt someone to a bargain.

Paul
 
Having just returned from a trip to our boat berthed in Puerto Sherry near Cadiz, I can confirm that a large number of boats are for sale, more than usual. My reasoning is that people, including me, are fed up trying to find a berth. The Med is full and the rates are very high. One year ago PS was 3/4 full and you could always find a berth, now its chocca and no availabilty. They keep producing and selling new boats, allegedly, but there is no perceivable increase in berthing availabilty. I wouldn't recommend anyone into boating unles they had pots of money a very thick skin and prepared to put up with the crap that boat brokers, manufacurers and marina owners give you all the time. It would be interesting to know the ratio of new boats sold, old boats destroyed and new berths created. I think that there is a bubble waiting to burst in the boating market.
 
I thnk that over the last 10 years list prices have become increasingly distanced from actual selling prices for most models - distributors have been actively asking for them to be increased so that they can either package with extras or discount. I agree however that they increased significantly. Oil prices have played a part but I also understand that many have switched from polyester resins to vinynlester for hulls as well - with an associated cost.

Your 1996 car will have had a substantial additional tax element which is not currently imposed but yes again I agree that most have risen only slightly; some have even fallen!
 
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