Selling boats

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adrianm

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I read in the press that there are record numbers of marine loans being taken out and more people are getting into boating every day.

Are these people only buying new boats? The second hand market seems to be totally dead.

I've been trying to sell my boat for nearly a year now and I've only had two people even remotely interested in that time. I've heard similiar stories from other people too, so I doubt it's just my boat.

At this rate I'll have to get the new boat extended so I can use the old one as a tender!
 
I think the dealers are selling plenty of new boats for a number of reasons. Firstly, with interest rates so low and as you have pointed out mortgages have never been so affordable so that encourages buyers to stretch their budget to a new boat. Secondly, with stock markets having bombed, whats the point in putting money into shares - at least if you put it into a boat, you know you'll get most of it back when you sell it and you'll have fun owning it. Thirdly, with most peoples' house values having increased dramatically, everybody's feeling rich
Obviously, if lots of new boats are being sold, that means there are lots of secondhand boats coming on the market. I'm looking at buying another boat at the moment myself, and I'm finding there are plenty of boats out there but I think some vendors are unrealistic about their asking prices and it never ceases to amaze me how poor a condition some boats are presented in - stained carpets, dirty decks, food left in galleys etc. First impression really count, if a boat looks good the moment you step onto it, it gives you confidence that its been looked after generally. I'm finding that well priced boats in good order are selling but optimistically priced ones are not.
I'm sure your boat is in fine order but maybe you need to look at the price and review whether your broker is actively marketing it
 
Agreed. As you know we had a look at quite a few boats for sale about three months ago, yours being one of them. I'm not surprised you sold your as it was well presented and very tidy but some of the stuff we looked at could definately use a bit of the Ann Maurice touch.

KevL

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It may be the early bird that catches the worm but its the second mouse that gets the cheese.
 
Oh you know, all the usual. I spend most of the time I am there looking at buttons on the Radar, VHF, GPS, Compass, Autopilot etc and then thumbing through the manuals trying to find out what they all do. Then I'll climb down into the engine bay and there is even more stuff to learn. It seems like I will never know this boat inside out like the old one, there is just so much of it. But every time we take her out she really is a dream, so easy to handle and I can't get the stupid grin off my face for ages afterwards.

We are on the boat this weekend and if the weather behaves we will pick up a buoy stay overnight at Piel island . I’ve bought a small suitcase generator so SWMBO can watch telly to her hearts content without me worrying about batteries and now that I have an outboard motor I can take the dog ashore without having to row.

How’s the new boat search going? Got anything in mind?

KevL


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It may be the early bird that catches the worm but its the second mouse that gets the cheese.
 
Like any boat Kev, I'm sure you'll learn all about her when things go wrong as they inevitably will, even with a Broom!
Re our boat search, after much agonising, we've decided to try the Med, specifically SoF so I'm looking for an aft cockpit type boat with a lot more outside loafing space than a Broom. I've looked at a few boats, had an offer rejected on one but I'm in no particular hurry given the fact that the season's over
 
I'm in the same boat, putting my Crown up for sale then going to med in spring to find another boat, but more apt to the med. From medway to med heh

"The Med has got me" (no not the Medway the other Med)
 
Have been try to sell my 24 foot Fletcher for a while (since August) and I must agree with what you say about keeping it tidy. I go down every two weeks and wash her and check all the seats are clean and cushions are straight. I've knocked three grand off the price already but really want to sell her to fund my Motor Boat Skipper course at the UKSA.

Chris

Relaxation starts at the pontoon gate
 
Chris I hear tell that there is a fairly assured second hand market for Crowns so I'm optimisic. Brooms reckon they'll sell her easily time will tell.
By the way see my reply to your post on UKSA MBS course, whats that all about?

"The Med has got me" (no not the Medway the other Med)
 
Chris Just looked at your other post re engine works, would they have something to do with not being able to sell her.

"The Med has got me" (no not the Medway the other Med)
 
It's certainly not the price, I've checked everywhere and my boat is at least 10k under any of the same model/age.

It's valeted every week and has every extra you can imagine apart from air-con.

The only thing I can think of is that people are used to boats only having a handful of hours on them after five years. Mine has over 500. Barely run in in my opinion but there's nowt as queer as folk.
 
500hrs after 5yrs is entirely average so that wouldnt put anyone off, Adrian. What about the broker? Doesnt seem as if he's doing much of a job for you?
 
You would think that 500 hrs was average wouldn't you? But the one guy I showed round the boat and several others I have talked to about it were horrified. Most of the boats they had looked at were under 20 hours a year.

I've been through three brokers now and it's back on with the original broker I bought it from now.

Time to start advertising it myself I think.
 
I would be concerned if a boat had that little use. For example, I looked at a boat the other day that had only 95hrs use in 4 seasons. Immaculate on the inside but the owner had'nt bothered to lift her out last winter with the result that the anodes had completely gone causing massive corrosion to the props and trim tabs which are having to be replaced
Much better IMHO if a boat is used regularly provided its well maintained
If you are considering advertising privately PM tripleace who is a forum contributor; he put together a communal advert for 3 of us in MBY which worked out cheaper and more effective than a single ad
 
There is a Fairline Turbo for sale in Chichester and it's rumoured to have 5000 hours on it. It's spotless, so well looked after. I'd buy it. (except not keen on the turbo)

Chris

Buy my Fletcher please!!!!!
 
Asrian,

I know you have an S37 from your profile, but how old i she and what price are you looking for. Also is there a link to any of the site s that she is for sale on?

Thanks
 
Re:hourphobes and boats.

Big problem with not a few buyers.Just as higher mileage on cars was a problem a few years ago .A well used well cared for engine in a cherished boat would be my first choice over some Marina Queen which had been welded to the dock since new with a couple of hours on the clock..

And here is the weekend weather..
 
Don't like to gloat but sold Princess 35 within 5 weeks of first advert (money in bank.) 7% profit in 14 months of ownership . Boat in good condition interior was perfect . Clear out all yor clutter, i did dress all the cabins, beds made up , flowers , fresh coffee brewing, heating on, jazz playing discreetly on cd. Clean windows etc.
 
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