Big Question for everyone!

[royal flush]

OK- I have been looking at getting a larger boat( I currently have an 07 320 da) and I have gotten very sound advice from some people on this site which I greatly appreciate. I have been looking at everything from larger Sea Rays to Mainship Trawlers...However, one big question still haunts me about buying a larger boat. No matter what larger boat I trade up to once I buy that boat, it will begin to drop in value and depreciate the minute I sign on the dotted line.Combining that with my trade, it doesn't make much sense. If I buy a 36 sedan bridge for 330k now, in 5 years it will be worth 150k ..Are there any SeaRay models that hold their value the best? In my research, Mainship trawlers actually hold their value much better than SeaRays ...Maybe I am looking at this too much like a business decision than a lifestyle decision. Also, my dealer is telling me that if I buy a boat now I will get a great deal and in a year or two it may be even worth more because boat companies are not producing boats... Please advise

 

[JVid]

My perspective is that buying a boat is an investment in your family and leisure time, rather than an investment in your asset portfolio. I wouldn't go into the purchase with the expectation that your "investment" will appreciate. That said, with today's economy and the pressure on consumer spending, you can certainly get more value from a boat purchase than in recent years. Another thought, if you like the 36DB, get diesel. Good luck with the upgrade.

 

[Pseudomind]

OK- ...Mainship trawlers actually hold their value much better than SeaRays ...Maybe I am looking at this too much like a business decision than a lifestyle decision. Also, my dealer is telling me that if I buy a boat now I will get a great deal and in a year or two it may be even worth more because boat companies are not producing boats... Please advise

I would say there is some truth to this;

...Mainship trawlers actually hold their value much better than SeaRays

But I believe it has to do with different life styles and boating parameters. Distances traveled, fuel economy, hull displacement type. Full displacement versus semi-displacement, living conditions on-board, I only say this to exclude the Sundancers and there are many who do not like the "Cave" Atmosphere.

I would not bet on this;

Also, my dealer is telling me that if I buy a boat now I will get a great deal and in a year or two it may be even worth more because boat companies are not producing boats...

If the economy picks up, just what do you think the boat manufactures are going to do to sell their new models?

 

[Presentation]

In my opinion, your dealer saying your Sea Ray will go up in value is full of it. Also the Mainship salesperson is full of the same thing.

The theory behind the boat going up in value assumes we are going to have hyper inflation. We may very well have hyper inflation ahead of us, but then everything goes up in value compared to the dollar.

If you truly believe Mainship long range cruisers (they are NOT trawlers) go up in value I suggest you to talk to some people that purchased, owned and recently sold their Mainship.

Regarding Mainship, I’d like to say 2 things. I am considering owning one in the future for long range cruising so I am a Mainship fan so please do not take the above as knocking the brand. Second, as far as long range cruisers go, Mainship is a value long range cruiser brand, sort of like a Baliner boat or a Kia brand car.

 

[JV II]

Get an '07 diesel 36DB for $269,000

http://www.hyannismarina.com/content.asp?nav=128613&cpid=17853&

I just saved you $60,000. How about a case of beer? PM me for the shipping address.

 

[Henry Boyd]

ON the broader question of boat depreciation, it is what it is. You have to come to grips with it one way or another. For us we happily transitioned into taking a summer of long weekends as vacation and no longer feel the need to go off to some other destination. The depreciation on our 280 has yet to approach what we would have spent in the past three years on vacations.

Another thought is you don't have to buy new. There are a lot of good values in used boats. The down side is you probably have to sell your current boat first

I agree Mainships due tend to hold their value. My next door retired neighbors have had a 44' Mainship trawler for a number of years. It is definitely a lifestyle difference. They are retired and used to take the Mainship down the ICW to the islands in the fall, for the winter. This is a liveaboard boat. Lots of space and comfort.

But they have their drawbacks. If you think a Sundancer behaves like chlorox bottle in the wind, you should try driving a trawler with full topside canvas in a crosswind!

Henry

 

[Southpaw II]

This is really a broad, open ended discussion/question that we all have an opinion on...first of all, your signature doesn't give us (the experts, of course) any idea where you boat, or what type of boating you do. You may boat in fresh or salt water, or you may routinely travel long distances, or just like to sit on you boat at the dock a couple of times a year. Do you boat alone, with friends, or have a large family?

Anyway, to the chase....if you buy a new boat, most of the cost of ownership will be depreciation, no way around it. If you buy smart, and do a lot of research on a good used boat, buying from a "motivated" individual seller, you will pay substantially less. The trick here is doing the homework. The more you study and educate yourself, the less it will cost you in the long run. And, by the way, in learning more, you will enjoy boating a lot more.

Remember, every boat is a compromise in style, function, and cost. The Mainship (trawler) will burn fewer gallons per hour, but if you don't enjoy going slow and enjoying the scenery you will not be happy with it. Ask yourself how you will want to use the boat, and what type of boating lifestyle do you want. Then choose from there.

 

[tobnpr]

What JVid said.

It is a fact that some vessels will depreciate at a lower rate (read: percentage) than others. It's a matter of build quality.
Will a Nordhavn lose less of it's value-percentage wise- than a Sea Ray over a ten year period? You betcha.

So, if your pockets are deep enough- buying a "top-tier" boat , using and then selling after a period of time, may likely result in a lesser "true cost" of ownership over time than a production or "price-point" boat. This includes the fact that lower quality boats are, by nature, fitted with lower quality fixtures and components that will not hold up as well.

If like most of us, your pockets have limits, you buy the nicest boat you can comfortably afford that will fit your needs, and don't worry about what it's going to be worth when you sell it. Just use it, make memories, and enjoy boating.

 

[tmhudson2]

If you are worried about depreciation, and want a cruiser, consider an older Hatteras that has been well maintained.

 

[comsnark]

I agree with the others. Boats may have a "value" that appears on your net worth balance sheet during a divorce. ..but they are NOT investments.

You think the value of used boats will go up? They might. . .for a very short window. Then see what happens when the boat manufactures start churning out new boats again. And they will.

 

[barryg]

Did you buy your 320 new in 2007? Whether a car or a boat, the biggest hits in depreciation are in the first few years; which is why I have never bought a new boat; but both continue to depreciate. So it really is a matter of enjoyment of your boating experience more than the dollars. If you can afford a larger boat and it suits your lifestyle better than the 320, then research what size/type/engines/amenities etc fit your needs and go for it. When it is all said and done, it's not going to be about the depreciation on your boat, but the many great experiences and memories you and your family share on it that will be remembered!