Have fastfishers dropped in price

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hantsman

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Hi
We are thinking of buying a fast fisher e.g. Arvor, Merry Fisher, Quicksilver etc. and wondered if the prices have dropped with the present economic climate, and are the chances therefore good of getting a bargain.
Probably looking at the 18ft to 22ft size range and spend up to £16,000.
Also, anyone got advice on whether to buy a boat with an outboard or inboard engine. We fancy the inboard diesel e.g. Nanni 85hp, because of better fuel consumption and it also frees up the back of the boat for a platform for getting on and off and for swimming etc. We will be using the boat in the Solent and South coast region
 
At the marina last week we were discussing this and it seems they are holding their price as they are cheaper to run, cheaper to park and only have one engine.
 
Fast Fishers held their value very well at first then took a dive in 2007 and early 2008. This was mainly because they were previously limited suplly, but now every manufacturer seems to do them so more around and that hit resale. In terms of pricing now, given they already took a hit they seem to be holding better values. Going off what I know many of these were bought for cash (not finance) under £25k and can be towed and parked up on the drive effectively costing zero! As a result less hitting the market. Also the type of person who buys a 'Peche promenade' tends to be slightly more conservative and wants comfort etc. This means they are less likely to be up the creek at this time.

Of course there will be exceptions...just keep your eyes open and be flexible. At £16k you should get an early 20ft with diesel such as the arvor, but you will get a newer outboard version. Modern outboards are a lot better than you remember!

Good luck, Essex always have a large stock

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
The entry level end of the fast fisher market is suffering a fair bit, both in terms of new and used.

The higher spec end is still very good though, with the well reputed names all holding value fairly well.

For one of the popular French layouts, in the 6m category with a single 90ish HP outboard you should expect to pay 12-14k. I know because we have just been looking at the market for a customer who is thinking of selling. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Re. lack of bathing platform on outboard powered models. This is not really true as there are lots with "twin" platforms - one part either side of the engine.
Re. diesel inboard-v-petrol outboard. The more you use it the better/cheaper the diesel becomes - fuel wise. Against that the maint. cost of the outboard will be cheaper. If you are going to regularly trail the boat about, I'd probably go for the outboard as it will be lighter for the same hp.

Another advantage of the outboard version will be that it will be noticeably quieter, especially if it has wheelhouse doors.
One other consideration, on the sound front - go for a boat with a cabin door as well - you won't hear so much wave noise.

Let us know how you get on and good luck.
 
I would have to say look at Walton marine on the Hamble, 'Cos I 'appens to know they're selling off some of the ex demonstrator stock they got when they took over Southern Motorboats earlier this year. A few potential real bargains there, I know 'cos we've got our (new in) April 2007 Merryfisher 625 115hp o/b on their brokerage and we're gonna have to contact them to reduce the asking price! boo hoo. Still, worth a look I'd say.
 
I think you may find second hand prices will hold up fairly well, as new prices will have to go up considerably due to sterlings weakness - most of this type of boat/engine being priced in euro/dollars

MVP
 
New prices have sky rocketed since last Christmas due to the Euro rate.
One or two dealers are still in a position to sell older stock at lower prices if pushed. This will be because they bought them in and paid cash for them at the time of purchase when the Euro was still at around 1.45.
Most dealers will have their boats on stocking plans though. This means that boats are paid for by the dealer when the boat is sold to the customer. This means that regardless of when they bought the boat, it needs paying for by the dealer at the exchange rate on the day of sale, currently at around 1.15.

So, generally speaking, new boats are very much dearer now than they were.

However, deals are there to be had.
Some dealers are absolutely desparate to sell stock for the obvious reasons. These boats will be sold at all manner of discounted prices with all sorts of reasons given ("Winter Sale" etc). Make up your own mind.

With new boats sky rocketing in price, generally used boats would hold their money or even appreciate a little.
As a seller it's lovely to think they would go up in value, but sadly you'll be disillusioned. The credit crunch is meaning that the new boats are very hard to sell, but the used boats that are selling in quantity (and they are selling very quickly when priced accordingly) are being sold at 10% to 20% beneath what they would normally expect to achieve.

Dealers are often much like estate agents and will often try and kid you that they have people lined up for your boat all wanting to pay top bucks... sometimes they have, but generally the boats that sell will be those that are clear bargains.

Main dealers will often try to sell you a new boat as opposed to a used one. At the end of the day, they can't be blamed, the sales guy makes his main commission where he makes the most money for the business. That's new. As a seller, you'd often think that placing your used boat with the main dealer will be the best way to get a customer (more people through the door). It's not always the case for the reasons already mentioned.

So:
If you are buying used, I hate to say it as a broker, but beat them up on price. It's a buyers market and you will get a deal if you push hard enough with the right people.

I f you are selling used, think carefully about who sells your boat for you and be realistic about the price you will accept.

Tom

PS: Several people are selling the very special priced new Jeanneaus that are left over after the sad demise of Southern Motorboats ;-)
 
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