Why buy a new boat?

Achillesheel

Achillesheel

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Apropos of an earlier thread - as there are so many boats out there for sale, with all the extras and other paraphernalia which one needs for life on the water these days, why buy new? particularly as all the boat tests in YM come with a long list of extras which are not optional - instruments, warps, anchors, even sails in one case.

A second hand boat will usually come with a lot of such kit, tender, etc.

Why not buy a 35 footer a couple of years old instead of a brand new 30 footer, and then spend almost as much fitting out.

Any comments?
 
Do you buy your cars new?

I think the world divides into the clever people who let others go through all the teething problems, kitting out and rapid depreciation, and those who want to be the first to touch their toys, no matter what it costs. God, imagine being responsible for the first scratch.

I'm off to Oxfam now for a new suit.
 
Ah! meet the new crossover. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
I have for years bought used with all the bits. usually wanting a renovation.
We must have some mugs to buy new, or there would be no used market. Therefore, as my last intended boat purchase, I have bought new.
I love it, but it still feels like someone elses boat to be honest.
I have spent probably 10-12k getting it to what I want over the admittedly generous spec.
No you cant buy it anytime soon.

I am looking for a grand's worth of wreck to work on this winter, as my scheduled tasks will only keep me busy for a couple of weekends.
 
Of course someone has to buy new or there'd be no used ones, fully equipped to buy.
I'd never buy a new boat, just like I've only ever bought one new car. Got a great discount and still lost a shed-load when I flogged it.
Buy used and get the best spec available.
 
I think Achillesheel but in a nutshell and other posters have backed it up.

I would love to have the $£€ to buy myself my dream Island Packet, but alas reality hovers like a black cloud and I have to accept it's not to be "This Week".

Instead I am left with a multitude of fantastic, well cared for (in the main) boats, that I know have had there road tests.

I guess it comes down to 2 things, well thats what the voices in my head tell me!

1) Do I WANT new? do I want to put the first scratch on the deck, dent in the hull. Do I want the manufacturer on the phone saying No Problem Sir we can sort that out right away. The person at the quay saying "Mmm nice boat" (aka can I come aboard and look round).

2) How much do I have to spend! The catch all, the weight around the ankles holding you to the deck, the choice of anniversay gifts, christmas presents, pony in the yard.

My view start with your dream (1) then accept reality (2). What ever you decide on just reminds me of my first house! Did I feel at home? Hell yes the moment I saw it! Did it make me happy? Hell yes the moment I saw it! What was the enjoyment worth? If money dictates that ....
 
A good example is a friend of mine ........

He asked about boats 35 - 38 ft and I pointed him toward a nice 2001 job at a reasonable 74K. He looked her over, had all the gear .. GPS, Radar, Hot and cold, heating etc. - this was a nice boat.
Meanwhile he looked over another new boat at 94K ... same LOA but greater volume .... (marginally greater - just design made it look and feel more). Spec'd out it was good enough to sail away ... but soon the questions started ... Nige - radar ?, GPS ?, heatiung etc.............. so I asked why did you go for that when you could have had a better equipped boat for 20K less ... in pristine condition.


Answer : I will be first to own her and lass likes it ....

Now the problem is - which I warned about .... the cost to bring it up to the spec of the other .... already making pockets hurt ! Second she spend most of the time head in bucket !!

Needless to say the boat is a light-weight and moves about a bit ... better when tied up to dealers pontoon of course !

When he reads this - he's going to slay me !!!

The point is .... everyone to their own .. and as another said - if no-one buys new - there are no s/hand ones for thee and me !!

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
new prices seem to be coming down

Hi

My wife is looking at new prices of Bavarias and commenting that they seem lower than Bav's 3-4 years old. Now I am not stupid and realise that price on the water is going to be £10-£20k over the manufacturers price but even so I am finding it difficult to understand how you sell a second hand Bav for more than they are new? or am I missing something?

(ps - I really want a 25 year old Nich 35 or 39 but thats another story)
 
I think the main problem with the Bavs and all the other low end boats is they're cheap because they're built cheap. e.g the anchor, if supplied, will be the smallest for the size with minimal chain etc. If, for instance, the spec'ed primary winches overlapped a 40 or 44 you can bet they would fit the 40's. Genoa tracks will be shortest possible and many things like this would be fitted to a price. When I was looking to purchase my current boat one broker tried to sell me a nice, shorter, new boat but all the kit was extra, sold as nicely named packs such as 'clubhouse' which was for fenders, warp and mooring cleats??

On the other hand one should be very wary of the second hand market, there are loads of tied worn out boats out there with silly asking prices that are barely fit for the sea and to put right could cost as much as a cheap new one. It's amazing how quickly new kit if neglected wears out.
 
Re: new prices seem to be coming down

IMHO go for classic older style craft, those with character, nice real wood finish etc, a real picture to look at, not one of those mass produced, over priced, common looking plastic things, they call boats, just because they float on water.
 
Re: new prices seem to be coming down

Not biased at all then Micky?
IMHO dont buy one of those old worn out heavy, non performing, smelly bilged, knackered engined, saggy sailed money pits with acres of varnish to look after.
Buy a new plastic boat cheaper than theyve ever been (who could afford a 35 footer in the 60's?) all works, get you to where you want to be, wipe down surfaces, doesn't look like a floating charity shop.
You get the picture, its all about individual styles and choices.
 
I bought new, after a couple of crap surveys and some tired old things. Delighted now, a pride and joy, soon to be our home. It's also a Legend (I can hear the groans) but has been nothing short of excellent so far with loads of space. I admire the older "real boats" and envy their seakeeping abilities, but sure couldn't live on one!

Pops
 
Depends a bit which end of the market you are buying at. Look on YBW.com and you will find page after page of almost new Bav and Ben. Depreciation reflects that, as indeed does the discount available new. So you buy second hand when some other soul has taken the first hit.

Now look at (say) HR34. There's a very clean one for sale on the Hamble at a price much the same as a new boat of the latest design. OK there's a bit of extra kit, but against that all is used. Why pay almost the same price second hand as new?
 
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