What is the general feeling on the market for 30' sports boats

  • Thread starter Thread starter D3B
  • Start date Start date
D3B

D3B

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 Nov 2004
Messages
4,371
Location
Ely, Cambs UK
www.cutting-solutions.co.uk
I have had the boat for sale for some time now and reduced the price to below 80K about 8 weeks ago.
this means I am taking a big hit from the purchase price.
there are only a couple of the same models I can see which are slightly cheaper....all other are more expensive.
according to the broker there have only been a couple of viewings.....and I am not sure how serious they were (if they exist at all)

is the market that flat for 30' sports cruisers?
 
The market is exceptional for good value used boats of under about £200K (price clearly dependent on what it is!).

What do you have, how old, how spec'd, where is she etc etc?

Doesn't need to be cheap, but must stand out from the crowd and clearly display value for money.

Sadly the big hit off the purchase price is exactly why potential buyers are considering buying your boat and not a new one.

Tom
 
Trying to sell mine for a while Sealine 290 ambassador shes in great shape, want to get a 32' sailing boat Oceanis that kind of thing. Surprised I havent had more response she on for £40k as are most 290s with diesels. Spent quite a bit on her this lift out including new covers but if I cant get my price for her Im happy to keep her shes a great boat. I wonder if all the publicity regarding buying a boat with finance attached has put people off, Im scared to death to buy my next boat.
 
Sealine S29
2005
Twin D3-160's
550 hours approx.
Burton Waters @ Ipswich
Well spec'd and now very well sorted boat.
a few bumps and bruises but what boat that age with high usage wouldnt show some evidence of wear.
 
robyonfrome said:
I wonder if all the publicity regarding buying a boat with finance attached has put people off, Im scared to death to buy my next boat.
Click to expand...

The origial invoice has comment about BofS having an interest.
so any sale would mean that would be paid off.
unless someone wanted to buy without the original invoice.....but would they?
 
S29 I think is a really nice boat - good luck with your sale.

I bought an S28 earlier in the year and whilst I also really liked the S29 I was sold on the KAD32s rather than D3s. Of course the S28 was cheaper too but from what I'd read (including on this forum) about reliability of D3s I'd not have been keen on spending more cash on a (potentially) less reliable boat - think it also sounded like the 160s were marginal on power for that size of boat too.

Other thing to consider that there's a fair number of American boats out there at that size for less cash too?
 
D3B said:
I have had the boat for sale for some time now and reduced the price to below 80K about 8 weeks ago.
this means I am taking a big hit from the purchase price.
there are only a couple of the same models I can see which are slightly cheaper....all other are more expensive.
according to the broker there have only been a couple of viewings.....and I am not sure how serious they were (if they exist at all)

is the market that flat for 30' sports cruisers?
Click to expand...

I think there is a good market for 30footers and often thought about upgrading mine. But when I take the plunge the S28 is more appealing as it is better value for your money and the S29 can be a marmite boat (you either like it or not - sorry to say), mind you that is more the hard top model. Also when you see 360/S37 going for £85k does make you think, but of course they are older boats.
 
i really feel for you!!

i remember the sleepless nights when we were selling our SC29!

ours was a 2006 boat with D3 160s and we ended up getting just a fraction shy of 90K for it back in March of 2009.

talking to a broker yesterday he mentioned the exchange rate is slowing the market from Europe but in general, as others have said, stand out from the crowd and you have the best chance.
 
D3B said:
Sealine S29

a few bumps and bruises but what boat that age with high usage wouldnt show some evidence of wear.
Click to expand...

Hi Doug,

I would eradicate the bumps and bruises, some buyers (especially ones with a female with them) will be put off by damage and will go straight back to a boat that is well presented.
Others that arnt put off by the damage will expect you to deduct the surveyors loaded estimate to repair from the sale price, as such you may as well have any petty damage repaired, reupholstered if necessary.

Sealine hamble were masters at this, they would take a tatty old sealine in as pt ex and then re upholster it in and out, new canopies, teak deck to cover any cockpit marks and new decals in the current years colour and managed to artificially keep residuals high, even when the reconditioned boat was sold on 3 years later it would still look good and avoid the Bayliner residuals which they would otherwise suffer with.

When I bought my boat I had the choice of a 1998 model and an older 1993, I bought the older one as it was presented better, I paid more for an older boat !

New engines
new upholstery
new canopies
new carpet
professional standard polished finish etc

I dont expect you need all that lot but a few hundred invested to get rid of the petty marks may help to a quicker and enhanced sale .

Can you put a link in to your advert so we can see it and pass comments on presentation please.
 
Last edited:
D3B said:
Sealine S29
2005
Twin D3-160's
550 hours approx.
Burton Waters @ Ipswich
Well spec'd and now very well sorted boat.
a few bumps and bruises but what boat that age with high usage wouldnt show some evidence of wear.
Click to expand...

We currently own an S23 moored at Burton Waters, Lincoln, and have been browsing for some time with the possibility of moving up to a 30fter. We looked at your boat on the sales board when the price was reduced, but the engines put us off, they are too small and the D3's (of that era) in general have reliability issues.

She is well priced and im sure you will find a buyer, just be patient. The S29 is not as popular as the SC29 and the smaller engines may not be to everybodies taste but someone out there will want her.

Have you considered bringing her to the Lincoln marina. She may be more suited to the inland crowd. With an arch chop she will fit under the low bridges here.
 
DAKA said:
Hi Doug,

I would eradicate the bumps and bruises, some buyers (especially ones with a female with them) will be put off by damage and will go straight back to a boat that is well presented.
Others that arnt put off by the damage will expect you to deduct the surveyors loaded estimate to repair from the sale price, as such you may as well have any petty damage repaired, reupholstered if necessary.

Sealine hamble were masters at this, they would take a tatty old sealine in as pt ex and then re upholster it in and out, new canopies, teak deck to cover any cockpit marks and new decals in the current years colour and managed to artificially keep residuals high, even when the reconditioned boat was sold on 3 years later it would still look good and avoid the Bayliner residuals which they would otherwise suffer with.

When I bought my boat I had the choice of a 1998 model and an older 1993, I bought the older one as it was presented better, I paid more for an older boat !

New engines
new upholstery
new canopies
new carpet
professional standard polished finish etc

I dont expect you need all that lot but a few hundred invested to get rid of the petty marks may help to a quicker and enhanced sale .
Click to expand...

Burton Waters, Lincoln are good at that game as well. We have seen a fair few rough looking trade ins being turned into good looking boats again at top book prices.
 
The upholstery etc is in very good nick.
I mean a little bump on one stern quarter on the rubbing strake and a little bit of gel glazing where she was hit by a raggie in Lowestoft.
otherwise in very good condition.


I have heard loads of talk here about the D3's
I was very persistant as many on here will recall.
I have had trouble free boating for more than 2 1/2 years.
the 160's might be little down on power but she cruises very comfortably at 22 kts buring 20 ltrs per hour (per engine)

Business has picked up over the past few months so I am not in so much of a hurry....would just like to reduce the outgoings for a year or so.

BTW MrD....I am still waiting for that Solent invitation :D
 
Some people, myself included will not be happy cruising along at 22 knots. When we get to open ours up we like to cruise at closer to 27 or 28 knots. The extra 5 or 6 knots makes all the difference, especially if cruising in company with slightly quicker boats.

As i said your buyer will be out there, you just need to find them. If i were you though i would seriously consider offering her for sale inland. She will be more popular there being down on power a little.
 
CX54WEK said:
Some people, myself included will not be happy cruising along at 22 knots. When we get to open ours up we like to cruise at closer to 27 or 28 knots. The extra 5 or 6 knots makes all the difference, especially if cruising in company with slightly quicker boats.

As i said your buyer will be out there, you just need to find them. If i were you though i would seriously consider offering her for sale inland. She will be more popular there being down on power a little.
Click to expand...

What sort of range do you get cruising at 27-28 knots?
 
Ianj68 said:
What sort of range do you get cruising at 27-28 knots?
Click to expand...

Well we have yet to run out of fuel.

The boat an S23 (well the engine KAD32) is quite economical and there is not much difference (mpg) between crusing at 20 knots and cruising at 27-28 knots. We get around 4mpg anywhere from 20 knots right upto the max speed of 30 knots. This gives a range of 200 miles but there would be nothing left in reserve.

In reality we tend to refuel whenever we get the chance so have never pushed her to find out the range. Plus the fact we mainly use her on the river so there is more chance to refuel. At river/canal speeds we have got almost 7mpg out of her.
 
CX54WEK said:
Well we have yet to run out of fuel.

The boat an S23 (well the engine KAD32) is quite economical and there is not much difference (mpg) between crusing at 20 knots and cruising at 27-28 knots. We get around 4mpg anywhere from 20 knots right upto the max speed of 30 knots. This gives a range of 200 miles but there would be nothing left in reserve.

In reality we tend to refuel whenever we get the chance so have never pushed her to find out the range. Plus the fact we mainly use her on the river so there is more chance to refuel. At river/canal speeds we have got almost 7mpg out of her.
Click to expand...

If you were using the boat at sea, i think you'd find that you wouldn't be cruising at 28 knots so much, unless you really really like your back specialist.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top