What ages a yacht?

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jonjo

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Picking up on the build/launch date debate, what really ages a yacht in its first 10 years and depreciates its value?

Here are my guesses:

  1. Charter coding and use.
  2. Poor winter storage and damp.
  3. DIY owner "improvements".
  4. Mishaps & repairs.
  5. The sun.
  6. Jet washers on teak.
  7. Fresh water and algae digesting teak.
  8. Oddball interior decor of the owner's wife.
  9. Engine miles.
  10. Frost.
  11. Electrics.
 
Lack of use.

I saw a couple of brand new boats sit in the water for 12 to 18 months when the recession first hit and they didn't half age. They hadn't even been sold to their first owner.
 
jonjo5 said:
what really ages a yacht
Click to expand...

time. :p


Opening cupboard doors making just a bit looser than they were 10 years previous, 10 years of condensation causing just a little bit of a musty smell here and there. 10 years of using the heads. 10 years of UV light.

I think it's all the little bits that add up over time that will age something rather than any specific thing.

Curiously though, I think newer boats might age somewhat quicker than old ones. No, it's not some "they don't make 'em like they used to" rant, but the new designs are quite radical, with square edges and computer designs, and I think it might be quite obvious in 10 years that a boat is of this current era.

Lack of a holodeck will give it away, I should think.
 
jonjo5 said:
Picking up on the build/launch date debate, what really ages a yacht in its first 10 years and depreciates its value?

Here are my guesses:

  1. Charter coding and use.
  2. Poor winter storage and damp.
  3. DIY owner "improvements".
  4. Mishaps & repairs.
  5. The sun.
  6. Jet washers on teak.
  7. Fresh water and algae digesting teak.
  8. Oddball interior decor of the owner's wife.
  9. Engine miles.
  10. Frost.
  11. Electrics.
Click to expand...

Racing, in my experience, is the hardest thing to put a yacht through.
 
If it was a new yacht when purchased, when the builder stop making that model and bring out its successor.

Not sure if that reduces its value, though. I have heard an argument that, because the new boat is launched at a higher price, this has a positive effect on the value of the older models.

Not sure if that is true, but I hope so because that is exactly the position I am in!:o
 
jonjo5 said:
Picking up on the build/launch date debate, what really ages a yacht in its first 10 years and depreciates its value?
Click to expand...

Ironic that the consensus on the other thread is that the real age of a boat is the date of first use, and the consensus here is that lack of use (i.e. the time before that) is what ages a boat quickest
 
sighmoon said:
Ironic that the consensus on the other thread is that the real age of a boat is the date of first use, and the consensus here is that lack of use (i.e. the time before that) is what ages a boat quickest
Click to expand...

I don't think "lack of use" refers to the time before a boat is first used. It's the time after enthusiasm wanes, or life intervenes, so that the boat is sitting there not being used. Lots of them at the back of my yard, and very sad they look too.

Pete
 
A yacht in the med, Greece in particular, should be worth less in my opinion.
Because......

Stern too mooring, with anchor, is causing huge stress loads on the yacht.
Imagine it this way, two giant hands are pulling the boat from either end when moored stern too causing a stretching effect over time, and fatigue over its lifetime.
And if your anchor and lines ant tight, that's another problem.


So all in all,, I personally would think that yachts in this region have had as much of a stressful life as a yacht that might have been doing some racing.

I saw it first hand, and any of my fellow yachties in the med, would agree......

Oh, and not to mention the carnage there when people are trying to dock stern too.
Each week, i played witness to damage caused by stern too mooring. Some people cant grasp it and this is causing a lot of bangs and nicks to the yachts,and when its time to sell, these are all covered over.
Probably not the awnser you were looking for but once worth considering none the less....
 
jonjo5 said:
Picking up on the build/launch date debate, what really ages a yacht in its first 10 years and depreciates its value?

Here are my guesses:

  1. Charter coding and use.
  2. Poor winter storage and damp.
  3. DIY owner "improvements".
  4. Mishaps & repairs.
  5. The sun.
  6. Jet washers on teak.
  7. Fresh water and algae digesting teak.
  8. Oddball interior decor of the owner's wife.
  9. Engine miles.
  10. Frost.
  11. Electrics.
Click to expand...

Don't forget fractional ownership. Given the rota for usage they tend to have, a lot of these boats get used considerably more than average.
 
You can keep them fresh from new for years,
In addition to the usual winter stuff, put it away in a big dry heated shed as soon as the days begin to shorten. Have the yard thoroughly wash and wax the hull, remove all ropes and sails launder them then store them properly folded in a heated loft. Throw away any remaining food stores, wine and beer and any half empty bottles of spirits , tell them to keep an inventory for replacement at relaunch, remove any once read books, Cds etc. and replace with the latest literature and music. Store the upholstery after cleaning thoroughly in a ventilated rack with dust protection. Remove the wheel, polish and gently clean the leather. Get them to service all the deck gear and wax the mast which should also be stored indoors with the standing rigging. Polish stanchions and bases deck cleats etc, service furling gear, winches etc. Instruct them to clean thoroughly inside, including the engine bay, touch up any chips or dings. Before launching, vacuum deck and interior to remove dust, then wash and wax again. If any dust is created in the shed make them put dust sheets over your decks and mast. Have them strip the antifouling every fourth year and re apply with a fine roller, tipping off with a good badger hair brush, she will stay like new. Is this not what you all do?

If like me you can not quite afford to pay for all of this, do not despair, you can encourage the wife to do most of it, just explain that she is protecting her investment.
 
Simples ...

It's got nothing to do with use, it's lack of TLC and reluctance to spend money on maintenance that ages a boat fastest.

Lack of use is a sympton of lack of TLC. Lack of maintenanace leads to a growing list of problems that are never properly fixed - again lack of TLC.

But TLC is top of the list, if the boat isn't lovingly cared for it will age faster.

Case in point - I was privileged enough to get aboard King Duck in Croabh Haven in the late 80s. The boat is wooden and decades old (It was based in Yarmouth during the D-Day landings) and it was spotless, beautiful and in A1 condition - haven't seen it recently.

I've chartered 10 year old boats from Ecker Yachting in the Med and they too have been in fantastic condition considering the useage. In the same marina I have seen younger, very sad un-loved boats rotting away with UV damage, mould, rot and bird poo.

It's all down to the previous owners loving care or not as the case may be.
 
Baggywrinkle said:
It's got nothing to do with use, it's lack of TLC and reluctance to spend money on maintenance that ages a boat fastest.
Click to expand...

You are talking extrems there.

Sometimes I park and watch folk cleaning clean boats and wonder if I should make more effort, but it only gets dirty again. I do shift the bird muck every time and clean the boat when it needs it, but not when it's clean, it's to sail not pamper.

Looking back at some pics I took when I first got the boat I realise it's looking much more cared for now than it was, but I haven't bust a gut doing it.

I do make sure important stuff like the engine and bits of string and wire are in good nick, and I keep the inside hygenic, but it's a toy not a mistress. The Galley Slave may think otherwise.

I agree a neglected boat soon looks tired, but there is no point spoiling them.
 
I get to see lots of older boats, the ones that have been loved and cared for can look ageless, 20 year old boats that look as good as 6 year olds, but with more wood.

And I see younger unloved boats, battered, bruised, unkempt and sad looking. So neglect is what ages boats, and TLC is what keeps the others going.
 
I was complimented by the passing proud owner of an Oyster 53 several weeks ago while playing on my boat deck.
He told me she looked no older than 10 years and was a credit to me.
Add another 26 years and that's how old she is.
Due to the previous owner (of 24 years), who was as meticulous as they come, and i simply carried on caring for the boat likewise for the last 4 years.

I think a well cared for boat will add value to it no doubt.
 
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