Have you noticed that selling a boat is really difficult at the moment?

DangerousPirate

DangerousPirate

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If you go to ebay or elsewhere, where you can see offers and bids you see that many boats, even good ones, barely get any attention. No bids or in the low hundreds for boats by far worth more. I just scrolled a couple of pages and the vast majority of boats have zero bids or are around the 300 pounds mark despite being up many days now. I have seen plenty relisted boats that keep popping up again.

Is this because of recession? Or what is happening this summer?
 
Yep. I've been kicking tyres recently and just yesterday, received an email from a broker along the lines of "btw, there is only a small amount of room for negotiation", which I interpret as "all offers will be submitted"
 
SpiderMoobs said:
Yep. I've been kicking tyres recently and just yesterday, received an email from a broker along the lines of "btw, there is only a small amount of room for negotiation", which I interpret as "all offers will be submitted"
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I really wonder why. Normally boats sell well in the summer, not many people wait for the winter market.
 
Many boats were bought during covid, a solitary or family unit activity that didn’t involve flying or staying in a hotel. I’m told by a broker that quite a few of these are now coming to market again as restrictions are now over. Also money tight with rising inflation and continual talk of recession results in plenty of sellers but the buyers can’t be found.
 
DangerousPirate said:
If you go to ebay or elsewhere, where you can see offers and bids you see that many boats, even good ones, barely get any attention. No bids or in the low hundreds for boats by far worth more. I just scrolled a couple of pages and the vast majority of boats have zero bids or are around the 300 pounds mark despite being up many days now. I have seen plenty relisted boats that keep popping up again.

Is this because of recession? Or what is happening this summer?
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Dunno, but someone wanted to buy our boat but couldn't find a mooring where they wanted to keep it so the sale fell through.
 
Maybe that's the problem. I don't feel like much has changed. Yes, admittedly some things got (a little) more expensive, but nothing drastic like Venezuela.

Dunno. I honestly only notice there is a recession because it's in the news.
 
DownWest said:
What ever us die hards think. Yachts are a luxury item, very difficult to justify buying in the current mess.
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I got it! Just need to sell the boat as an alternative lifestyle for when SHTF and you need to scavange for food and stay away from the landlocked raiders roaming the british wasteland.... Buy now, be smart! It doesn't even need fuel a lot! Works with wind and solar! :D :D
 
I think anything decent is still selling - my parents have just sold their boat within 48 hours of it going on the market, the broker didn't even have enough time to put up anything more than a preliminary advert with two outside photos on yachtworld.
 
Boat advertised on Ebay and ApolloDuck and sold privately.
1st viewer seemed keen enough but prevaricated .
2nd viewer the following day bought on the spot.
Had to tell first viewer boat was sold. and 2 other viewings cancelled.
Cash in bank and boat gone in 4 days at virtually asking price.
Only one other example on the market , a lot older and more money.
Both ads simple to cancel to prevent wasting anybodies time.
 
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Or perhaps it is that buying is difficult. I had to walk away from two deposit paid potential purchases this year due to unexpected issues, and certainly in the case of the latter it was known defects either not declared or, at very least, not acknowledged by a vendor flying a kite.

Even the one I have bought was far from a simple process, and I don't doubt if I wanted to sell her say next Spring I would likely catch a cold. (I don't want to BTW !)
 
The bubble has burst. I believe businesses are already seeing reductions in sales. This just filters down the chain. at the same time inflation is doing its bit to spoil things for everyone. It now costs me double to travel to my boat, well almost. The yard has suddenly increased its rates. My income is dropping. im lucky I can turn another tap on if only for dribble or two. Boats are going up for sale quite quickly and prices are falling. Just how it is.

Steveeasy
 
Lots of boats are unrealistically priced!Recently sold my boat ..but I took into account up coming mooring fees.Lack of possible maintenance during selling period.Having to move my stuff off the boat!Location and convenience for viewing.Also if you are selling overseas ..a completely different ball game…having said all that you only need ONE buyer..It’s very easy to buy ….
 
steveeasy said:
The bubble has burst. I believe businesses are already seeing reductions in sales. This just filters down the chain. at the same time inflation is doing its bit to spoil things for everyone. It now costs me double to travel to my boat, well almost. The yard has suddenly increased its rates. My income is dropping. im lucky I can turn another tap on if only for dribble or two. Boats are going up for sale quite quickly and prices are falling. Just how it is.

Steveeasy
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In a nutshell
Unless you have quite large amounts of disposable income, sailing makes little sense in the over 25ft area. Lower than that, trailing or mud berths can work. Once you go up, the costs are pretty steep compared with the time you can use it for the average yachty. The actual cost of the boat is not much related, compared to the costs of running it
 
I dont get why a boatyard would increase its rates now. even without an increase they are all going to suffer by unpaid fees in months to come. People will be pulling thier boats out of expensive yards very soon and it is too fragile a market to think there is a never ending demand. I tend to think in a situation like we are in to the marine industry is going to take a very big hit far quicker than most. Its a ticking time bomb. The bigger they are the harder they will fall.
steveeasy
 
a divide which has been widening in the last decade or so between those that have and those that do not and the boaty world is a good example.
For some the current financial difficulties will hardly be noticed or even to be taken advantage of ?
Rung by broker a few days ago asking if my boat was still for sale and was I aware of any other craft for sale as they were short of stock.
 
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I'm not sure ebay would be my benchmark for how the market is moving. It wouldn't be my go-to place to buy or sell anything bigger than a dinghy unless I just wanted shot of it.
 
As I a looking for a boat at the moment I am finding prices still high,
Idealy i want west coast of scotland very little fo sale so widened the search to all uk.
Lots of boats still advertised even though they are sold, brokers not replying to email
Enquiries , not answering phone etc.
A recent 400 mile round trip to view a boat with very obvious engine faults but
Not mentioned before by the broker !
Its worse than buying a used car.
 
DangerousPirate said:
If you go to ebay or elsewhere, where you can see offers and bids you see that many boats, even good ones, barely get any attention. No bids or in the low hundreds for boats by far worth more. I just scrolled a couple of pages and the vast majority of boats have zero bids or are around the 300 pounds mark despite being up many days now. I have seen plenty relisted boats that keep popping up again.

Is this because of recession? Or what is happening this summer?
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I put a Suzuki 2.2 Outboard on an 8ft Dingy/Tender on an Indespension Trailer on eBay at £750 and did not even get a bid.
 
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