Best time to buy a used boat?

sbw1 said:
View attachment 95249
That's pretty much what I was told by the broker. He said it common to hear from prospects that they have been watching a particular boat for a while and waiting for the price to come down. We did sell our boat for a premium to the first person to look at it. However, we had to reduce the price by $2,000 to make the sale happen. I have not seen another sale equal to what ours sold for so I believe we maximized the price. And, the buyer got a boat that was close to Bristol condition and is loving it. A good time was had by all. Selling is an emotional experience for the seller as well as the buyer. Many people think their boat is better than others and worth the price they ask. This is seldom the case.
We just went through this with selling our lake house. There were 6 homes on the lake that were priced about the same. Ours received 4 offers and closed. The other owners were shadow pricing ours but the properties were not quite as nice. Those homes are still on the market accruing taxes and heating costs. We have our money invested. Once again it boils down to setting a realistic price.
Click to expand...


My last boat was a 268 vista, Bristol condition. Priced it about 10% lower than what I thought was possible max sale price. First guy that looked at it came back with about 15% off that. I told him “no thank you, I set the price at what I wanted to sell it for”.

He came back in a couple weeks and admitted what I told him and that he can find cheaper, but he won’t find as nice for that price.....

It was January, he bought it without a test drive. I sold it for what I paid, but the upgrades I lost on, but was glad I did them. Actually see the boat often....

I like to tinker and improve my boat. I got to enjoy the boat with the upgrades, and it sealed the deal imo
 
Last edited:
Best time is when you find what suits you. But don’t think your gonna steal just cause of season. Example: and I ain’t selling mine but I already paid to store/winterize. I am set til spring. And in this time I am puttin on manifolds risers and fixin everything wrong and not 100%. Now, that said if I was selling, I could sell now and you could get a slight cheaper price then fix it all on your dime come spring. Or you can buy in spring with a turn key boat but either way YOU are paying.
 
Look. You may find one slightly below market value because of a divorce settlement or medical reason and they got get out quick. But if you get a ‘steal’ you WILL regret it. The market is very good and nobody is given them away.
 
Pirate Lady said:
but either way YOU are paying.
Click to expand...
My last 4 boats:
-Wife wanted a cottage on a lake...now
-Lost it over Michigan winters...went to Florida left boat to a broker
-Divorce... guess was he would have been happy with a dollar
-Damn boat show
I paid but no where near what I had to..there is alway a reason why people are selling...you just have to figure out how motivated
 
Blueone said:
My last 4 boats:
-Wife wanted a cottage on a lake...now
-Lost it over Michigan winters...went to Florida left boat to a broker
-Divorce... guess was he would have been happy with a dollar
-Damn boat show
I paid but no where near what I had to..there is alway a reason why people are selling...you just have to figure out how motivated
Click to expand...

Blue one,
Not sure if you agree or disagree. You can maybe find a deal. They out there, but how long willing to wait. I wanted a 268 red or blue this spring. None. Got a 250 green
 
Pirate Lady said:
Blue one,
Not sure if you agree or disagree. You can maybe find a deal. They out there, but how long willing to wait. I wanted a 268 red or blue this spring. None. Got a 250 green
Click to expand...
Point was figure out what is motivating the seller.... you decide what you want to pay
 
In my experience there are many boats in good condition that are overpriced and there are many boats in bad condition that are priced reasonably. When you find a boat in good condition that is priced reasonably you need to move quickly. They don't last very long.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,116
Messages
1,426,393
Members
61,028
Latest member
ddbyrd329
Back
Top