Boating Bubble?

Golfman25

Well-Known Member
Sep 12, 2009
7,587
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Boat Info
1998 370 Sundancer
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7.4 MPI
Happy 4th. Very hot today. :)

Talked to a broker today. Sold the boat I was interested in. Says its crazy out there. Makes zero sense to me. So are we seeing a market bubble in the boat biz? When does it pop? And then what?
 
It pops in winter every year. Some years the summer sales bubble is small other years its large. Sometimes it doesn’t pop, it implodes or explodes.
 
There is no better way to observe Social Distancing! One of the few fun family outdoor activities where you have 100% control over who comes near you!
 
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There is no better way to observe Social Distancing! One of the few fun family outdoor activities where you have 100% control over who comes near you!

I think it makes complete sense.

People didn't take that spring vacation, nor that summer vacation nor did they send their kids to camp.

Buy a boat, use it all summer, dump it at the end of the summer and if purchase price - sales price is less than or equal to the sum of the missed vacations and camp, they are ahead of the game.

I don't think you will need to wait a year or two to see the glut of boats for sale. At least in the colder climates, they will be for sale before they have to be winterized.
 
Just about every boat salesman that I have ever talked to says that boats are selling like crazy, even when it's completely not true. That's their way of generating buzz and staying relevant.
 
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Just about every boat salesman that I have ever talked to says that boats are selling like crazy, even when it's completely not true. That's there was of generating buzz and staying relevant.
Ordinarily I would agree. But when every boat you call on has multiple people to look at it and is being sold quickly to the first or second looker, something is going on.
 
I think it makes complete sense.

People didn't take that spring vacation, nor that summer vacation nor did they send their kids to camp.

Buy a boat, use it all summer, dump it at the end of the summer and if purchase price - sales price is less than or equal to the sum of the missed vacations and camp, they are ahead of the game.

I don't think you will need to wait a year or two to see the glut of boats for sale. At least in the colder climates, they will be for sale before they have to be winterized.
I get that. But they obviously haven't considered the carrying costs. My little 40 year old boat cost $4000/year just to keep it (slip, storage, winterization). And those costs are automatic whether I use it or not. Add fuel and repairs, that's much more than a vacation or two.
 
I’ve been looking. Almost got desperate that I’d be boatless this season and considered buying a project and having a restoration done. Nope. All those shops are busy till winter too.

So now I’m resigned to be land locked and perhaps place an order this fall for spring delivery.

unless as some here say there’s an onslaught of good slightly used boats for sale this offseason
 
Mine has been out of the water for a week. She is sitting with other boats of her size that are for sale. I've had folks walking up and asking "how much are they asking for this boat" I have to admit, I'm tempted to put a price on her and see.
 
I get that. But they obviously haven't considered the carrying costs. My little 40 year old boat cost $4000/year just to keep it (slip, storage, winterization). And those costs are automatic whether I use it or not. Add fuel and repairs, that's much more than a vacation or two.

Let's put some numbers to that.

Family vacation 15-25k (X2)
2kids in camp 12-20k (+ incidentals)

40k minimum

And my prediction is they dump the boat before they have to winterize, etc.

I think that covers a lot of fuel and more than a couple of repairs.
 
Boats aren't investments. Anybody that says they made out financially owning a boat is full of sh## :) It's a hobby this is an expense. Some folks are true boaters and recognize that. Some not. There will always be a buyer for for a well maintained reasonably price boat. Bubbles aren't for real boaters. Boat on.
 
Let's put some numbers to that.

Family vacation 15-25k (X2)
2kids in camp 12-20k (+ incidentals)

40k minimum

And my prediction is they dump the boat before they have to winterize, etc.

I think that covers a lot of fuel and more than a couple of repairs.

Geez. What family vacation costs $15-$25k?

Ive taken my family from Chicago to Florida Keys for a week including boat rental for less than $6000.

Regardless I’m very curious to see what the boat inventory in the Fall will be. Could be a buyers market?

Im hear all this goes for RV’s and campers too. Makes sense if you like the woods. No mask wearing there either.
 
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.
 
Let's put some numbers to that.

Family vacation 15-25k (X2)
2kids in camp 12-20k (+ incidentals)

40k minimum

And my prediction is they dump the boat before they have to winterize, etc.

I think that covers a lot of fuel and more than a couple of repairs.
Not sure where you vacation or send your kids to camp, but those number are way out of the norm for average people.
 
I’ve had a lot of friends sell/upgrade this year. Their boats are selling before they even put a sign on them. It’s been crazy.
 
I’m really thinking of throwing the switch and selling Carpe Diem and take advantage of this bubble, then wait for the right deal on a 55 pilot house boat. The larger boats don’t seem to be affected at all, 45 and under though are going fast.
It tough though, I just finished getting her where I want her and we are a few years from being able to unplug and go coastal living. I hate these first world problems!!!!
CD
 
Geez. 2 $20k vacations a year? Most people around here don't even make $40k/year. Granted those people don't have big boats but typical vacation for me and my wife might be $3000 max. Our last vacation was about $3000 and we wouldn't be doing 2 a year. Heck the last major vacation we did was a cruise in 2012...lol.
 

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