What adds value to a boat?

[Robert Wilson]

Since I purchased Khamsin in 2010 for £8,000 including storage cradle, not only have I spent almost as much again on her (maintenance, new sails, painting, electronics, repairs, refurbishment, chandlery etc) but I have had some superb sailing on her and am very proud of her looks and condition. There is still more to do (new engine, hopefully, and upgrade/replace the "saloon" - in other words as long as I can afford to keep her in good (not concours) condition I'll be content.

I don't know how she equates to the market in terms of performance, comfort, price and maintenance costs but when eventually I come to part with her someone will get the opportunity to buy a very useful, pretty and sound craft.
In honesty I don't expect to make much more than the price I paid for her, but I hope my executors can make a quick sale to the benefit of my heirs !!

 

[Tranona]

I'm trying to look at the whole picture. So this thread and question may come across as naive.

There's a 310 for example in Spain for sale for €36,000 and I've spoken with the broker who seemed only willing to do a harbour test. Granted I haven't yet offered to pay for a proper sea trial as yet, but is that priced competitively with for example the imaginitive 40,000 boat but is in the uk and I have to fork out transport?

Everyone has to start somewhere. Boating sometimes seems to feel like you start at the top and learn backwards in the same direction as your bank balance

The extras I mentioned btw are ones I am considering. I hope to buy a 310 and keep and maintain it for a considerable time . I know many say it won't be my first boat but for me I want to buy it, replace at least bedding, probably the heads too. Galley also kit out with more a kitchen than a galley. Saloon area make the seating more living room than caravan. Solar too. I'm thinking it could be a wasted 10 grand. But also thinking the same as bog roll. Stupid as it may sound but I take bog roll on holiday. Why rough it? ?

Those kind of mods or upgrades (to me) which I'm now seeing from the replies are worth nothing, but I will plan to do them after the first season once I'm settled in

So thanks to all, it's helpful listening to all your views

You are experiencing the same issues as most people do who buy used boats. You can only choose from what is for sale at any one time, and the boats are always somebody else's cast off, so will inevitably affect the condition they are in and what is included.

The key thing for you to bear in mind is the price you want to pay for the boat in the condition you want it in the location you want it. so, for example on relatively low value boats like this it is really not worth looking in Spain if you want the boat in the UK as there is £5k in transport. This often explains why boats out there are often at lower asking prices (they may well be knackered as well - the med is a harsh place for boats!).

You will almost always find you have to spend money after purchase to either make good or enhance and this can easily be 20-30% of the purchase price. On an older cheaper boat this may mean that the end result is just not good value and you might be better off paying more for a newer/better boat. Be wary of over modifying a boat and trying to turn it into something that it is not. This is the finest way of destroying value in a boat. While it may suit you future buyers may well not like what you have done.

BTW it would be unusual to get a proper sea trial on a brokerage boat, even if you offer to pay for it. That comes after you have signed the contract, had the survey and before you make the final payment. Remember the boat is not owned by the broker and few private owners are prepared to let others use their boat without making some commitment to buy it.

 

[Jim@sea]

Location, a Power Boat in the North West ( North Cumbria) will not attract buyers from the South if they are unable to do a viewing and return in a day.

 

[No Regrets]

I think a few things certainly add a bit of value, but more in the form of 'desirability' hence the actual purchase price will be stronger. I would pay a bit more for example, for a boat with a good heating system versus one without, things like recent canopies and upholstery help, as these are certain 'spend items' Recent engine replacements are handy too, but it depends on the replacement engine not being a chocolate Volvo D3, or Chinese brand. On board generator is also a nice thing to have and would therefore sway me towards a certain boat, and I would pay a bit more for that!