segaerta
Well-Known Member
Hi,
I've been monitoring this forum for quite some time now, but this is actually my first post.
We (me, SWMBO and our two kids, age 11 and 9) live in Belgium (Ghent) and currently have a 2001 Monterey 262 which we keep in Ghent. Been boating for 3 years now, cruising grounds are Belgian rivers and Zeeland (south of Holland).
We want to upgrade next year so have started looking at possible choices. Budget stretches to around 130-140 K£ and aiming at the 35-40 ft range to have proper accomodation for growing kids and occasional friends. Goal is also to expand cruising grounds and eventually cross the channel to visit the UK (I get jealous when I see all these nice pics posted all the time).
Here's a few questions I would like to present to this forum:
BUY NEW OR SECOND HAND ?
Options are to buy a (nearly) new boat (SWMBO quite likes the Sessa C35 or the BMB 35) but I actually prefer a 1998-2000 Princess V40 or Fairline Targa 37-39 as you get more boat (ft) for the money. Downside is off course older technology, possibility of breakdowns and hefty repair bills, etc.).
Searching this forum, I have learned that a 8-10 yr old boat can still be preferred over a new one (depreciation had flattened) and that I should be looking at KAD43/44 engines instead of KAD42. Also, boats from the South are mostly to be avoided (possibly charter boats, additional delivery costs, faded hulls, ...).
IF SECOND HAND, WHICH ONE ?
Looking at adverts, there are very few boats of the mentioned models for sale, sometimes the same boat is advertised multiple times by different brokers. There also seem to be high price differences for similar models (because some owners demanding irrealistic prices or cheaper boats with lots of wear and tear so nobody wants to buy them ??). Take V40 for example: 118 built according to MBM April 2006 report but only a handful for sale, mostly located in the Med. Worse even for the V39 (72 built but only 3 advertised and it's the same boat), it seems the V42 is more around but is too expensive at the moment as cheaper ones only come with the less preferred sunbed layout.
It seems there are more Targa's for sale than Princesses, and they seem harder to shift ? Example : 1998 Targa 37 at Inwards at 115K been on sale for a year almost versus. A similar one is for sale in Holland for 133K so huge difference of 18K ?
I've read quite a few interesting posts on this forum on how to negotiate with brokers (e.g. start bidding 10-20% off list price) but I understand that good values always has its price. I also understand that you better have the boat surveyed, but if I buy a boat in the UK and it over to Belgium, to what extent is the UK broker / dealer still liable after the sale ?
TESTING 'THE' BOAT ?
Buying a new boat, there seems to be less of a problem asking the dealer to 'sea trial' the boat. However, looking at second hand boats stored ashore, it seems less obvious to test them to understand how they behave under different conditions as some dealers only allow trials at the very end of the buying process (so I'm told). But how can you make an informed decision if you have never tried a larger boat than your current one ... I'm assuming 26 to 40 ft is quit a different ride, no ? We have few large boats in our small marina, none of them similar to the ones we fancy so I'm wondering if some forumnites would allow a small family of four on their boats to share their experience and take us a short trial ? This would help us tremendously in getting an impression of how different models behave possibly with different engine packages. I thougt asking never hurts.
So you see, I really start loosing my sleep over this luxury problem of mine, however it is always good to read on this place that I'm not the only one.
Looking forward to any comments from this panel of experts.
Cheers,
Alain
I've been monitoring this forum for quite some time now, but this is actually my first post.
We (me, SWMBO and our two kids, age 11 and 9) live in Belgium (Ghent) and currently have a 2001 Monterey 262 which we keep in Ghent. Been boating for 3 years now, cruising grounds are Belgian rivers and Zeeland (south of Holland).
We want to upgrade next year so have started looking at possible choices. Budget stretches to around 130-140 K£ and aiming at the 35-40 ft range to have proper accomodation for growing kids and occasional friends. Goal is also to expand cruising grounds and eventually cross the channel to visit the UK (I get jealous when I see all these nice pics posted all the time).
Here's a few questions I would like to present to this forum:
BUY NEW OR SECOND HAND ?
Options are to buy a (nearly) new boat (SWMBO quite likes the Sessa C35 or the BMB 35) but I actually prefer a 1998-2000 Princess V40 or Fairline Targa 37-39 as you get more boat (ft) for the money. Downside is off course older technology, possibility of breakdowns and hefty repair bills, etc.).
Searching this forum, I have learned that a 8-10 yr old boat can still be preferred over a new one (depreciation had flattened) and that I should be looking at KAD43/44 engines instead of KAD42. Also, boats from the South are mostly to be avoided (possibly charter boats, additional delivery costs, faded hulls, ...).
IF SECOND HAND, WHICH ONE ?
Looking at adverts, there are very few boats of the mentioned models for sale, sometimes the same boat is advertised multiple times by different brokers. There also seem to be high price differences for similar models (because some owners demanding irrealistic prices or cheaper boats with lots of wear and tear so nobody wants to buy them ??). Take V40 for example: 118 built according to MBM April 2006 report but only a handful for sale, mostly located in the Med. Worse even for the V39 (72 built but only 3 advertised and it's the same boat), it seems the V42 is more around but is too expensive at the moment as cheaper ones only come with the less preferred sunbed layout.
It seems there are more Targa's for sale than Princesses, and they seem harder to shift ? Example : 1998 Targa 37 at Inwards at 115K been on sale for a year almost versus. A similar one is for sale in Holland for 133K so huge difference of 18K ?
I've read quite a few interesting posts on this forum on how to negotiate with brokers (e.g. start bidding 10-20% off list price) but I understand that good values always has its price. I also understand that you better have the boat surveyed, but if I buy a boat in the UK and it over to Belgium, to what extent is the UK broker / dealer still liable after the sale ?
TESTING 'THE' BOAT ?
Buying a new boat, there seems to be less of a problem asking the dealer to 'sea trial' the boat. However, looking at second hand boats stored ashore, it seems less obvious to test them to understand how they behave under different conditions as some dealers only allow trials at the very end of the buying process (so I'm told). But how can you make an informed decision if you have never tried a larger boat than your current one ... I'm assuming 26 to 40 ft is quit a different ride, no ? We have few large boats in our small marina, none of them similar to the ones we fancy so I'm wondering if some forumnites would allow a small family of four on their boats to share their experience and take us a short trial ? This would help us tremendously in getting an impression of how different models behave possibly with different engine packages. I thougt asking never hurts.
So you see, I really start loosing my sleep over this luxury problem of mine, however it is always good to read on this place that I'm not the only one.
Looking forward to any comments from this panel of experts.
Cheers,
Alain
