Living in Seattle, its practically a crime to not have a boat, and we are not ones for nonconformity so we are shopping. Actually its been in the works a couple of years and we are now getting closer to knowing what we want. We have narrowed the choices to a Rinker Fiesta Vee or a Sundancer 260 or 270. BUT here are a couple of questions for y'all:
1. For those of you who have boats, can you approximate how much you spend per year for care and feeding of your boat. I understand that boat ownership is expensive and there always are little things here and little things there that need fixing, maintaining, tweaking, etc., and maybe even a big punch in the gut (wallet) every once in a while, but I am curious to try to quantify how much that adds up to. $1000/year? $2000? More?
POSTSCRIPT: I should have mentioned that I am not looking for fuel, moorage costs (we would keep it in a slip in fresh water but run it through the locks to salt water at times), and cool must-have gadgets. I was wondering about maintenance, fixing the inevitable nits, etc.
2. What is the deal with pricing. I look at the NADA values and the list prices and they are polar opposites. Are the NADA values out to lunch or is it the other way around. Just as an example, NADA lists average retail for the 2004 DA260 as $35k but they are listed for over $60. Is it customary in the boat world to haggle that much or what? I don't want to go look at something and make an offer if it will be a waste of time.
Any comments much appreciated.
P.S. This is off the money topic but if anyone wants to compare the Sundancer and the Fiesta Vee, I am all ears. They look very similar.
1. For those of you who have boats, can you approximate how much you spend per year for care and feeding of your boat. I understand that boat ownership is expensive and there always are little things here and little things there that need fixing, maintaining, tweaking, etc., and maybe even a big punch in the gut (wallet) every once in a while, but I am curious to try to quantify how much that adds up to. $1000/year? $2000? More?
POSTSCRIPT: I should have mentioned that I am not looking for fuel, moorage costs (we would keep it in a slip in fresh water but run it through the locks to salt water at times), and cool must-have gadgets. I was wondering about maintenance, fixing the inevitable nits, etc.
2. What is the deal with pricing. I look at the NADA values and the list prices and they are polar opposites. Are the NADA values out to lunch or is it the other way around. Just as an example, NADA lists average retail for the 2004 DA260 as $35k but they are listed for over $60. Is it customary in the boat world to haggle that much or what? I don't want to go look at something and make an offer if it will be a waste of time.
Any comments much appreciated.
P.S. This is off the money topic but if anyone wants to compare the Sundancer and the Fiesta Vee, I am all ears. They look very similar.
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