Merry Fisher 595 Or 645 New Vs Used

[Cbjroms]

I can't make up my mind between these two boats and, with Southampton Boat Show deals looming am wondering whether to buy new or used.

I believe that both of these boats have only been around for about 3 or 4 years and there seems to be a very good selection of second hand. But, and I appreciate it is very much a buyers market, the asking prices are only about 15% less than buying new. This seems a very low rate of depreciation for a boat - I have seen it suggested elsewhere that a boat loses about 40% of its value after four years - and I am wondering whether there is a particular reason why these boats hold their value so well.

I appreciate that predictions as regards depreciation are fraught with danger and generalisations. Also, I know to my own cost, that an owner's asking price can differ wildly from the actual sell price.

Given that I like both boats as much (maybe the 645 is on the larger side for me but the 595 seems quite small at 18 foot) then my decision is going to depend on which boat and purchase route offers me the best value for money and the lowest deperciation.

I realise that this is not an exact science and would really appreciate your views.

Thanks

Chris

 

[sprocker]

We have just been through the same process Chris. We were looking at a brand new MF695 (Replaces the 645) until a 12 month old 645 came on the market. The saving was much (MUCH) more than 15%, and we got a higher specked boat than we were looking at new.

Now that the new 695 is out there, and the 645 is 'old hat' I would expect there are some good deals to be had.

 

[Cbjroms]

Thanks sprocker,

Are you happy with the 645? Anything that you would change. I am looking for something that is comfortable for cruising around the Solent with the family but that will also be a good boat for fishing.

Is the discount that you managed to negotiate cnsistent with my suggestion that such a boat is likely to lose about 40% of its value over its first 4 years?

 

[sprocker]

Very happy indeed with her! We use her for cruising also, with the odd overnight/weekend stop, and a bit of fishing.

For us the only thing that the 645 lacked over the newer 695 is a separate head. Ours has a chemical toilet (Porta Potti) under the bed, with a curtain for privacy, whilst the 695 has the option of a separate head. Although the separate head is very tight and a 'reverse in' affair with no option to stand if you're as tall as I am, and it does reduce the forward berth size considerably.

We weighed up both boats and decided that the separate head wasn't really that important to us so went for the 645. That decision has been ratified since we've had the boat. So far (We have only had her since early June) we honestly haven't found anything that would make the 695 a better boat for us than the 645.

She was 2nd hand when we bought her, so the previous owner took the price hit, but I would say that the price we paid for a 12 month old 645, against a lower specked brand new 695, showed around a 35% price hit over 12 months.

Wipe-Out off this forum has just bought a new 695, so maybe he will be able to offer advice on anything 695 specific..

 

[rwoofer]

Small cheap boats usually don't depreciate much because they are already cheap and their simplicity keeps things from breaking, wearing etc. I've got a 645 myself and if in the market for a 695 myself I would go for the option without the toilet. Experience has shown that bucket and chuckit is easier to use and with less problems. That and I don't think my 6'6" frame would fit in.

Other than that I do think the 695 has some useful improvements over the 645, as it seems to address nearly all the little things I might want to change in the 645. Having said that I'm still very happy with the 645 which we have used as a family boat around the Solent for the last two seasons.

 

[Tranona]

Treat list prices with caution as a basis for comparison with secondhand prices as few new boat buyers pay full list and on the other hand extras can inflate list prices more than is reflected in the secondhand prices a couple of years down the line. Now is a good time to buy new as most list prices now are based on 1.2 Euros to the £ whereas today's rate is 1.4. So, expect list prices to change between now and the boat show and there will be good deals on the table. It is at that point when you see what is on offer that comparisons new/used will be more meaningful.

 

[Garold]

We bought a new boat at Southampton Boat Show last year. We didn't really intend to buy anything but we just found a good deal that suited us on the day.

Since its so close, I think that you should visit the show and check out the show offers before you make a decision.

And then, if you see something you like, find out which dealer owns the boat, and talk to that person. Most of the smaller boats are going into different dealers stock and they will probably have extra margin in their boat show stock.

You can often do a better deal than the 'show' offer but you will have to be cheeky. And you never get anything without asking.

It worked for us.

But a word of caution. Though we did nothing wrong by buying a display boat at the show, my experience would suggest that the local dealer has less inclination to do warranty work since he didn't sell us the boat.

Garold

 

[Cbjroms]

I am very grateful for the advice and feedback above.

Saw a couple of 645s yesterday and my decision is made - I am itching to buy but am determined to find a good deal.

It seems to me that the seating at the back is much more practical on the ealier 645s even though the hinged base is quite a beast. The later boats seem to have quite a messy arrangement of cushons. Althugh the helm seat on the later 645s is a thing of beauty compared to the earlier ones.

I want a boat with the full canvas cover on the back as I can't believe the price (£1800) that I have been quoted to buy this new!

So if anybody out there is thinking of selling their 645 for a fair (both to you and to me) price then drop me a message.

Chris

 

[wipe_out]

Sounds like you have made your mind up.. This is always a good thing..

As sprocker mentioned above we have just bought a new 695 and opted to put nearly everything on it in the end because with the separate heads and ability to stay on board in comfort for two or if needed for four it is the perfect "little cruiser" so should see us good for many years..

I also looked at the alternatives but a separate heads was a big deal for us so that really swung it.. Of course the options list is what did the damage but I figured now often does anyone buy a new boat so I went a bit crazy.. Scary thing is I already have a "wish list" for more bits I want..

The 645 has the same hull as the 695 as far as I know and I did a sea trial in horrific conditions in a 695.. It never felt scary at all.. So whichever you go for you can be assures the sea keeping ability is really good.. Probably one of the reasons the MF is so popular..