How long are boats generally kept for?

[MYStargazer]

I know it's said to be about three years, but has anyone studied this or published anything about it?

Thanks, peeps.

 

[Romeo]

I still sail the boat by grandad had built 73 years ago. Suspect that is not typical though, and no doubt shows a complete lack of ambition and progress.

 

[NPMR]

9th Year - no plans to change! Says the Bank Manager.

 

[FullCircle]

Into 4th Season, nearly got rid of it earlier in the season, but, having had a sound thrashing, it is now defect free and behaving itself. Except for the antifouling.

So no plans to dispose of it now.

 

[KenMcCulloch]

I am the 6th or 7th owner of a 60 year old boat so most of her owners seem to have held on to her for about 10 years.

 

[kingfisher]

3rd owner of a 1973 vintage boat. I'm in my 8th year. Nearly got all the problems sorted, so why would I sell her?

 

[BobnLesley]

We're 4th owner of a 1973 yacht; have had her for seven years.
Kingfisher's about right; we've considered changing on a couple of ocassions, but we know the strengths/weaknesses and the few remaing problems, so why buy a fresh set and start a new learning curve?

 

[dombuckley]

I think you'll find that length of boat ownership tends to be two extremes, depending on whether the boat suits the owner: some buy the boat, but sell on within a year or two when they find it's not what they really want, others find its just what they want and (barring outside influences, such as family, job, etc) will keep it for 7+ years.
My own boats:
One has had 2 owners in 50 years (25 years each).
The other has had 10 owners in 51 years: this includes 4 owners in a space of 5 years, and another 2 who kept her for 2 years each, and 4 who kept her for 9, 9, 13 and 11 years respectively.

 

[30boat]

Had my previous boat for 12 years then got present one in 2000.Now that it's pretty much sorted I see no reasons to change unless something really good comes along.

 

[jonjo]

[ QUOTE ]
Into 4th Season, nearly got rid of it earlier in the season

[/ QUOTE ]
I had detected a few grumblings but did not realize things had got that far Jim. Since we purchased new 35 footers at the same time what drove you consider selling?

 

[MYStargazer]

Thanks everyone. Does anyone know if there's any industry statistics around?

 

[KevB]

[ QUOTE ]
think you'll find that length of boat ownership tends to be two extremes

[/ QUOTE ]

I can concur. First boat we had for 6 months. Current boat we are into our 7th season.

 

[StugeronSteve]

We've had ours, from new -for 6yrs- and no plans (or funds) to swap. Usage this year has been a bit low, which has made me wonder about the sense of keeping it, but I try to control such dark thoughts for therein lies madness.

 

[pyrojames]

I had my first old boat (1965) for just on 20 years, sold last year and replaced with an older boat which I expect to keep until I am too old to cope with it. (hopefully 30 years!)

I think the older the boat you have, the more likely you are to keep it for longer.

 

[temptress]

How long is a piece of string?

Had me previous boat for 10 years and on current one for 8 with no plans to change unless she sinks……

However a friend of mine changes his boat every 3 years and I know others that like him do the same. They buy new boats and the manufacturers make it easy for then to ‘upgrade’ by doing part exchange and finance on a 3 year cycle – just like cars

 

[FullCircle]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Into 4th Season, nearly got rid of it earlier in the season

[/ QUOTE ]
I had detected a few grumblings but did not realize things had got that far Jim. Since we purchased new 35 footers at the same time what drove you consider selling?

[/ QUOTE ]

Just lots of warranty issues and leaking. FINALLY all fixed now. Another driver for not changing was that I couldn't find anything that ticked the boxes in as many areas for the money. If you wish to donate an Ovni 395 or 365, I would be delighted to take it off your hands

 

[LadyInBed]

1st Mobo - 3 yrs
Then went over to sail boats
22ft'er - 16 yrs
then current 33ft'er - 8 yrs
I don't envisage changing it, so it will probably see me out /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[Evadne]

First sailing boat - bought in 1985 and kept for 23 years (so far).
I agree with the "extremes" suggestion, because once you've had a boat for more than 5 years it becomes very difficult to part with her, (not an "it", by then). I would liken it to selling your dog because you fancy a new one.

 

[Saguday]

We're not very good at getting rid of boats..

Still have our first one, GP14 dinghy, bought 18 years ago
Still have our Leisure23SL, bought 7 years ago
Still have our "big" boat bought 3 years ago.

Financial logic says we must make some prudent decisions and trim the fleet but, well, you know...

 

[TiggerToo]

no one seems to be answering yoru question, so you'll have to do it yourself. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Here is my contribution to your dataset:

Tigger has had three owners in 10 years (4,2 and 4): she is doing very well for us and I cannot see us ever wanting to change her, unless personal circumstances alter dramatically. Hope not.