Used boat pricing in current environment

[kgrove]

Anyone sold a boat in the last month or so? I'm trying to get a read on how the market has changed. I don't want to make this about just my boat, so let's talk real sales price/market value relative to the blue book valued for the boat. For instance, if the low and high book on a boat is 50-65 (priced with all the options etc) and the boat is in very solid condition, where should the boat end up selling? My gut is the blue book is WAY high right now due to the way the economy has gone in the crapper. Six months ago people were telling me they usually saw boats selling for more than the midpoint of the book numbers. That just doesn't feel right today, but somebody who has actually sold a used boat recently should have more concrete information than my turning stomach.

[kycat2007]

I talked to Dustin at Boatworks and he said that the new boats are selling well because people who can afford them do. The used market is kinda soft as the mid 20s-50s is still a decent chunk to put out for a middle class family with gas at over $3. I think most post their boats a few thousand over retail and negotiate accordingly.

[bec1971]

I sold my 1994 Maristar 225 VRS a few weeks ago for 15,800 (listed only 3 weeks on usedbaots.com), it was listed for 16,900. The high NADA was 14,200. However, there seems to be a demand for the older year V drive and I received quite a few calls. It is an affordable way get into skiing and wakeboarding. I could see the market being soft as kycat has stated, when the price is in the mid 20's and up.
Good luck with the sale.

[3event]

I'm not sure I would trust what a dealer has to say unless the contact is a close personal friend at this point. Over on wakeworld.com there were a couple of threads, posters were talking about used wakeboats selling for more than $10K under blue book.

It all depends where you are, and of course this is not a great time of year to sell.

I've been watching, with thoughts of upgrading, and it looks to me like the pricing on boats like mine is not very strong. But then again, I actually have a SKI boat....:)

[bigmac]

It wouldn't be that expensive (maybe even free) to put an exploratory oar in the water and go ahead and list it. What you list it for would depend on the usual things, like boat condition and the urgency you have in selling it. It's hard to read the economy relative to purchase of luxury items, so it it were me, and I felt no urgency, I'd take out an add on Craigslist for blue book value. Subsequent calls (or lack thereof) from potential buyers will likely give your more useful information about pricing than you could get here.

[JohnE]

I don't think you can make any generalizations about book value vs. actual. A highly desireable boat will get more than book value and everything else will be in between. I got more than high book on my trade in Feb. (and it wasn't "made up on the other end"), and I know the dealer sold it for a lot more than that a few months later. By the same token, I paid a lot more than book when I bought it a year prior.

[endl]

Kgrove I would factor time of year in also. Although we all have a somewhat specialized boat you will definately see fewer buyers this time of year or buyers looking for "good deals".

I would also think that with banks tightening purse strings that this will also affect sales.

I agree I would think that the 50k plus boat market has got to start suffering.

[scramick]

I bought a 1999 Maristar 230 VRS with Perfect Pass for $15,000 from a dealer. They were asking $24,000. VERY soft market and should be able to get something at a fire sale. Boats are not selling out here is California...

[Michael hunter]

I have been looking since Jan. I have narrowed my search down to
the X15 or CC210. They both are listed for high 50s to mid 60s
07 and 08 models. I still see the same boats for sale month after
month. It looks to me to be a very soft market in this price range.
The prices I received for a new boat are 15k more than a less than
a year old one. I don't see any reason to take such a hit in less than
a year with under 30 hours.I don't see the market getting any stronger
in the future. I guess I am one of the buyers waiting for a good deal.