When to buy?

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McBoat

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Hello all!!

We are just about to get back in the water after a break of about 15 years. In which time Diesel prices are on a par with petrol and new boats seem crazily expensive.

We are on the lookout for a used boat up to about 28' that we will probably drystack.

We are budgeting up to about £25k.

The question is, when is the best time to buy. Is it now in the winter, early season or mid season.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
Genuinely (and I'm not trying to be a smartarse), the time to buy is when you see the boat you want, in the condition you want, at the price you want (or think you can negotiate to).

Boats aren't like cars - you can go out any day of the week and buy a red Ford Focus Ghia or whatever. You might decide you want (say) a Sea Ray 260, see a nice one, decide to wait till January because you think prices might be better, and then find there isn't a single one on the market, or there are two but one is tatty and the other has the wrong engine for you.

Start looking now, and when you see the boat that fits you, go for it.
 
Welcome to the forum

Agree with ari. The best time to buy is when you are happy with the boat and the deal. This is specific to you so just weigh up the pros and cons from your perspective and make a decision.
 
Pricewise, popular boats in good condition won't change a lot. Regardless of season the value remains unchanged.

Quite different to samples where the seller pretty well knows that he is asking on the high side for something not very attractive. He either comes to the conclusion that he must accept a lower offer - or keep the boat (forever, or until he realizes..)
 
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Carpe Diem !

Winter. With Spring a distant future dream........esp. any "sports boat"
Preferably with 6 inches of snow and 6 hours of daylight.
Brokers will actually be pleased to see a living breathing human being in the office.Also buying now gives you the chance to fettle the boat now rather than sorting problems when we actually get the weather to use it
If you wait for spring every wannabe boater with access to credit will be out there bidding against you on the first fine day,sellers will actually get optimistic again.
If you enjoy paying top wack to get your prize wait until spring or even worse summer......Good Luck. :)
 
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McBoat said:
Hello all!!

We are just about to get back in the water after a break of about 15 years. In which time Diesel prices are on a par with petrol and new boats seem crazily expensive.

We are on the lookout for a used boat up to about 28' that we will probably drystack.

We are budgeting up to about £25k.

The question is, when is the best time to buy. Is it now in the winter, early season or mid season.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
Click to expand...

Ive been boating over thirty years now, I think it is generally accepted that now I.e. Winter is probably best, reasons, 1. When selling folks don't want to pay another six months for mooring with almost no use of their boat. 2. Another six months of cleaning. 3. Cost of winterising. 4. Costs of recommissioning including antifouling. Go find a bargain!
 
Agree. I would be buying in the winter and selling in the spring when people want a boat before the summer.
In the winter you will have less competition from other buyers.
 
Medskipper said:
Ive been boating over thirty years now, I think it is generally accepted that now I.e. Winter is probably best, reasons, 1. When selling folks don't want to pay another six months for mooring with almost no use of their boat. 2. Another six months of cleaning. 3. Cost of winterising. 4. Costs of recommissioning including antifouling. Go find a bargain!
Click to expand...

However you (the buyer) are picking up all those costs and not being able to use the boat. Not everybody wants to do that so you have to decide what is best for you. So not as clear cut as you suggest - just what you think is best for you.
 
Tranona said:
However you (the buyer) are picking up all those costs and not being able to use the boat. Not everybody wants to do that so you have to decide what is best for you. So not as clear cut as you suggest - just what you think is best for you.
Click to expand...

That is precisely why you can get a good deal in the winter! Also IMHO if you are buying S/H which is very common you have months to get the boat as you want it. Also the enthusiasm because it's new to you! Very clear cut, IMHO of course together with thirty years of experience.
 
Tranona said:
However you (the buyer) are picking up all those costs and not being able to use the boat.
Click to expand...

Yea but in the insane period immediately after buying your boat the all the outrageous mooring fees and other undeclared (to the wife) cash thrown around is all part of the boat buying fever and willingly paid.
At the other end of the honeymoon hard reality takes over with a reluctance to spend other brass farthing on the moneypit. :)
......and show me the owner of any newly aquired boat who does not get the thing out on the water midwinter for at least one sneaky trip despite the elements being totally against him/her. :)
 
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Medskipper said:
That is precisely why you can get a good deal in the winter! Also IMHO if you are buying S/H which is very common you have months to get the boat as you want it. Also the enthusiasm because it's new to you! Very clear cut, IMHO of course together with thirty years of experience.
Click to expand...

Yes tend to agree ,it's more of a symbiotic relationship , both parties keen to do deal before Christmas /new year .
When both parties want "it"to happen for the two main reasons -mentioned -buyer to prep for season and vendor to be released from winter £££ in ownership costs , then each will be more willing to bend more /compromise to seal the deal .
Did my del trip Naples to Cannes last week in Nov 14 -
Wife was on saw it in the flesh May 15 --- after through the winter I arranged retro fitting of air con , gas hob replaced for electric + with a mate a bit of fettling and sorting out a few bits and bats cum lads trips ---so I got and still have the thumbs up so to speak .- from wife and had importantly an uneventful first season ,Med based .
So I think you are better buying this side of the season so you can get it how you want it ready to use following April/May .
Regarding price , not really the main motivator for me when to buy as said vendor and broker happy to deal before Xmas .
But i was all ears so to speak re deals :)
 
To me, not getting any younger is my boating motivation. Don't miss a season (or off season) that you can't get back
 
I was a believer of a autumn/winter buy when setting out. What I found at this end of the market is the owners had given up spending money on the boat after enjoying the season. I went everywhere on the mainland in my search and only found what I was looking for in the early spring with a boat the PO had fixed up as much as possible with the intention to sell. I also found that quite the reverse with respect to mooring fees etc. They seemed to go from Spring to Spring and so Spring was actually the pressure point to sell. Many of the older boats Sunseekers etc of the early 90's era were going for 25k in autumn and were on the auction block come late spring going for 12 -16k. As you go upmarket and newer I dont imagine there would be much price difference.
 
Quite a few brokers offer free "sales storage" for the first 6 months a boat is on brokerage with them. This means that boats that come up for sale at the end of the season do not have that pressure to sell due to ongoing fees that buyers believe exists. Instead the pressure comes in Spring when the grace period ends and fees resume.
 
oldgit said:
......and show me the owner of any newly aquired boat who does not get the thing out on the water midwinter for at least one sneaky trip despite the elements being totally against him/her. :)
Click to expand...

I use mine all year round - in fact it's nice to have the Solent quiet again.
 
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