Does a boat with air conditioning raise the perceived (and real) value?

[Ten Years Gone]

Hey Gang,

I know at first glance this seems like a rhetorical question, but let me explain why I ask.

My 250DA did not come with the factory air so I'm contemplating adding a system. Please see thread: http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/53729-Recommendations-for-aftermarket-A-C?p=601649#post601649 and this: http://www.marinaire.com/category_s/30.htm

I won't install until next year and would only use it for perhaps two seasons, as we are wanting to move up to a 300 or larger, which will almost invariably come equipped with air and gennie.
So, is it reasonable to expect a full return on my investment (@ $1,600) by adjusting the selling price of boat to reflect having air on board; or will buyers not appreciate that amenity, as most in the trailerable pocket cruiser market are not expecting air anyway?

How does one evaluate the slightly depreciated value of an amenity that was, at best, an option on this boat? Would it make more sense to uninstall the system, plug the thru-hulls and sell the unit on ebay to recoup my initial expense? The wife is questioning the cost of this purchase because she says we would still be relegated to a slip whenever we want air (since we also do not have a genset.)

If any of you were a "buyer" of this vessel, would you pay more for a recently installed modern a/c system, or move on to the next boat that has less expensive market comp's?

Just fishing for thoughts here. Trying to justify the expense (and installation aggravation,) of which I know I cannot place a tangible value on!

Cheers! :smt001

 

[gerryb]

Depreciation for this type of situation is a combination of the item purchased ($1,600 AC unit) and the vessel that it is going into (a 25 year old 250). If I were looking to buy a 25 year old boat, I would not likely want to pay a whole lot more for an A/C unit. My guess, you'll get back 20 cents on the dollar.

 

[CV-23]

Factory AC is nice....in my case at the dock. But really a boat anchor without a Genny while on the water. Could live without it in PA....I agree .20 on the dollar return, Mike.

 

[Pachanga Boy]

you know there's a reason you've never seen any sort show on Discovery or HGTV about flipping boats like they have on cars and houses:grin:. IMO any upgrades you do on an older boat gets little to no return on investment. hence the reason we have a "hole in the water club". any money you spend in upgrades i'd consider lost, and you should only do it for your personal enjoyment. That said I do think they can help make a sale easier and attract more potential buyers to your door. why not just purchase a used hatch unit A/C for your boat? I see them on Craigslist all the time for $400-$600. you could use one for a few years, sell the boat and sell the A/C unit seperately if you really wanted to get a return and there'd be no painful install.

 

[skolbe]

It will help it sell - but you will not get your $1600 back. If lucky $400.

 

[KarenS]

Spend a lot less, get a portable and sell separately for just about what you paid. We have a CruisAir and it gets COLD inside the cabin!

 

[moparlvr4406]

http://limaohio.craigslist.org/boa/3172915775.html

Dayon Oh listing

 

[MonacoMike]

No one can tell you it will or will not get returned for money spent. That said many buyers will not look at ANY boat without AC, that may be the guy that would pay the most...

MM

 

[Ten Years Gone]

Very compelling thoughts and suggestions guys. I think I have my answer. Live without it, or go portable until the next boat purchase.

Mike, your statement holds a LOT of water, and might tempt me to do the install anyway, except for the hard truth that it would take that one special buyer out of perhaps dozens, who really would be willing to spend the extra cash. I'm not that lucky in life!

Thanks everyone for your responses...the wife wins her argument this time! :smt089

 

[N369RM]

My question to you is simple. How much is your boat worth today and how much more can you get for it with air?

I suspect if your boat is worth say $5,000 and you add another $1600 out of pocket you will not get it back.

I suggest you sell the current boat now and move up if you want and/or need air now.

Otherwise, wait, sell without the air and save the $1600.

Ron Mason

 

[jason78]

I know this is a bit late but I will post anyway.

Around here at least, it seems like any cruiser 26 and up needs to have heat/air and 28 and up needs to have that plus genny or they don't sell well. My advice would be to keep money invested at a minimum and just put it toward your next boat.