Boating Bubble?

We're in a good place with our 2007 310 DA, but after hearing about huge demand for boats in more than one place I have been semi-tempted to sell even though I wouldn't otherwise. Partly because I think it makes sense to start saving for a retirement destination boat and partly to be rid of what would be a dubious financial burden if the Admiral and I both became unemployed. We have a lot of cushion if it's just housing and daily living expenses during an extended unemployment, but keeping the boat going would be very taxing financially.

That being said, we're both extremely happy to have it this summer.
 
Not really looking to sell, but like with anything, for the right price I would probably consider doing it with an eye towards upgrading.
Those 480 Sundancers are really nice............
 
blaster said:
I bet RV trailers and motor homes will not be offered for sale as quick as a day boat.

RV benefits:

(1) You sleep and live in your own germs/dust/stains.

(2) You always can bring along the items you need.

(3) flexibility and freedom of destinations.

(4) You can still bring a small boat to go see more sights or fish. If you have a motor home, you can tow a larger boat instead of a car dolly, and replace the car with scooters or small motorcycles.

(5) RV’s don’t require the same level of maintenance, nor do they sink on the land.

(6) You can shelter in different places while sheltering in place.

I don’t see these things changing anytime soon.

RV popularity has been rising steadily for some time now. The negative connotation of “RV’s are for rednecks and retired people “ has disappeared from peoples minds. Now there are many younger families as well as people in general who have purchased an RV and will likely continue to do so.

A boat on the other hand is mostly considered a luxury. Many people who buy them trash them then move on. Boat maintenance is basically complex RV systems along with mechanical and electrical systems that are subjected to harsh conditions comparatively. The maintenance interval is more frequent, the access is more tight and time consuming to gain, and the parts are more expensive.

I don’t see a glut of late model boats In fall but I do expect to see some very good deals compared to the current sales environment.

This all will depend on when the corona pandemic winds down. As we build “herd immunity “ we “flatten the curve” which will extend the duration of the corona crisis for 1-2 years. I see a correlation between the impulse buying to ride out the crisis and a subsequent dumping of hard run boats long overdue for maintenance. Maybe some never maintained since leaving the dealership.
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Totally agree with you here.

I will say this. We are first time boat owners as of a month ago. We probably went bigger than most for the first one, but it is what it is. We wanted something to stay overnight whenever we wanted, and to enjoy both out on the lake, and in the slip/marina. The family is loving it!! Especially our boys.

We always rented boats often, and my wife and I grew up on the water with our perspective families growing up, but are by no means experts at all!!

That being said, our two boys(6 and 3 years old) had started to almost lose their minds during covid lockdown. They were staring at their friends who's backyard meets ours, without being able to play. Our oldest was effected the worst. He was getting emotional because he missed his friends and family. And he is not this way typically.

So we said "well we love the water. we rent boats all the time anyway.....F it. Let's just buy one." Now we have no plans of dumping it any time soon, but this COVID bullshit certainly pushed our decision to move forward for looking for a boat.

It is scary to some level with everything involved with a boat and 100% more nerveracking than an RV. I'm in the auto industry and have been for 10+ years, so that may have some to do with it. But the fact that they sit in water and could "disappear" is in the back of my mind LOL. Not going to happen with an RV.

We got what i consider a very good deal on our boat with the limited experience we have. Although i do know how to find market prices and values. I have heard from many people that RV and boat sales have upticked to say the least.

If anything like the car business, there will absolutely be a massive HULT with values come the end of the season for the colder climate regions.
 
A guy we know works at an RV store. He said they are selling an average of 6 RV's a day. This isn't a big dealer where 6 is the norm. He is the parts manager and said they are running out of parts due to new buyers buying extras and the manufacturers not being able to keep up with demand. He said the one day they sold 13
 
i put our 240 on the market few days ago for the upper end of price range and cannot protect myself from calls and requests to see the boat . hotels in germany go bancrupt but enything what can swim is on the water.

this corona is crazy .
 
Starting to see a lot of "oh crap, I have to store this thing in 2 months" price reductions.
 
We got very lucky, bought our new "to us" SR about 3 weeks ago. We have kept in contact with the previous owners and they had 13 people call after us and 16 after we bought it, many said they were bringing cash. Had no idea the boat market was like this until after we bought her.
 
No Direction said:
We got very lucky, bought our new "to us" SR about 3 weeks ago. We have kept in contact with the previous owners and they had 13 people call after us and 16 after we bought it, many said they were bringing cash. Had no idea the boat market was like this until after we bought her.
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What I have seen is good boats, that show well, and are priced right, sell before the internet ink dries. Boats in rough condition and good boats but over priced, not so much.
 
Looks like boating will stay popular for at least the next season or two. Many see it as a haven for quality family time(which boaters knew all along) while isolating from the pandemic. As stated above. Nice boats priced right will sell pretty quickly I think. Maybe a little boost if demand stays high. Hey...maybe we actually can call it a appreciating asset?....Not! :)
 
Went over to West Marine to pick up some stuff. Drove past a few dealers who usually have a lot full of boats for sale. Almost nothing left. Frankly places looked out of business, that's how bare the lots where. West Marine shelves where empty. Event stuff like fiberglass and resin. All radios gone. It's like they can't get replenished inventory. Never seen anything like it. It's crazy out there.
 
Just talked to my mother. The guy behind them at the marina has a 2000 or 2001 310DA Inboard that he decided to sell about 2 weeks ago. Not sure where all he advertised it but she said he put it on Facebook Marketplace and had 14 calls and sold it the other day. He was asking $60k and got $54,600. Marina owner is pulling it early this week and survey will be sometime this week. So about 10 days or so on the market. I used to work with the 310 owner and have been on the boat before. It was very clean and rarely left the dock. Pretty sure he has a trailer for it too.
 
boatman37 said:
Just talked to my mother. The guy behind them at the marina has a 2000 or 2001 310DA Inboard that he decided to sell about 2 weeks ago. Not sure where all he advertised it but she said he put it on Facebook Marketplace and had 14 calls and sold it the other day. He was asking $60k and got $54,600. Marina owner is pulling it early this week and survey will be sometime this week. So about 10 days or so on the market. I used to work with the 310 owner and have been on the boat before. It was very clean and rarely left the dock. Pretty sure he has a trailer for it too.
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That's interesting. That's roughly what I paid for my 2002 310 going on 3 years ago. While certainly not an appreciating asset, it's nice to know the depreciation curve has flattened, at least in some parts of the country.
 
Listed our 290 as preliminary on Facebook last Thursday, tons of calls and 5 scheduled showings, Craigslist the following night at 11pm, deposit in my account sight-unseen from a buyer who came in the following day for a sea trial. We exchanged cash and title on Monday and he hauled it away.

grand total of about 3 days start to finish. The combination of quarantine and an unbelievable weather year in upstate NY has the market buzzing.

I listed mine for 33, I took 31k
 
We have been coveting a 280 SLX or 290 SDX for a while. Recently we saw a 290 on the lake and asked the guy how he liked it. One thing leads to another, and there we are looking at buying his boat. Well, in the end, we decided it wasn't going to work out, but now the bug had bitten.

I did a national search over the past 3 weeks, and found a few, specifically looking for a 290, and not a salt water boat. Within a few days, all the ads disappeared, so I assume they sold. None looked like a bargain, and all seemed priced at or above what I perceive as the market price. I also did a national search for a new boat, and there are none available. So, I think what we are hearing about nothing being available is real.

We'd have bought the used one, but I got really concerned about whether we could sell our boat. It's late in the season now, so we may struggle to find someone who's buying with only a month or two left in the season. The dealer has offered a guaranteed trade price, even if the new boat doesn't arrive until November or December. And they will winterize and store both boats at no cost. So, that's the option we chose.

Meanwhile I listed our old boat for sale, and actually have a pretty serious-sounding buyer coming to look over the weekend. If that happens, we may be going back to the used one and saving some dough... we'll see.

Anyway, sorry for the long story. I wanted to share that we did some extensive shopping since the July 4 holiday, and we did not find much to choose from. Yes, our target boat is a small market, but still you'd think we could find one well equipped 290 SDX somewhere in the country, right? Even our existing boat... a Monterey 278 SS... I couldn't find a single listing for one of those to use as a comparison on the price. Its a crazy boat market this year. Understandably.
 
Odd, I have my absolute mint 2005 270 SunDeck w/496 and every option listed for sale. It's on marketplace, craigslist and even listed with a broker who advertises for me on all the sites.

I've received a few leads/calls but everyone needs to refinance first, get loans, etc. Haven't received a real offer yet. Frustrating. In all fairness my boat has only been listed for about 11 days now.
 
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I am keeping in mind that it’s late season. If someone buys today, they may get a month of use before the season is over. That affects interest.
 
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