Discussion
Have always fancied getting myself a sea-going cruiser; nothing huge, 4-6 berths, probably 30'-40', and competent enough to cross the Channel/North Sea in most weathers.
Given the recent hike in marine diesel prices, together with a bit of economic woe and the fact that it's winter, I thought that now would be a great time to buy. But having trawled (boom boom!) many websites with boats for sale, both general ones and of specific brokerages in my area (East coast), prices, if anything, seem stronger than ever.
Is there just some delay on this market falling victim to the 'crunch', or do boats simply not suffer? I was expecting lots of people to be wanting to 'get out of' their boats since the fuel charge change alone.
Or... is there just a large berth-sized gap between what people are advertising/asking for their craft and what they are actually accepting?
Given the recent hike in marine diesel prices, together with a bit of economic woe and the fact that it's winter, I thought that now would be a great time to buy. But having trawled (boom boom!) many websites with boats for sale, both general ones and of specific brokerages in my area (East coast), prices, if anything, seem stronger than ever.
Is there just some delay on this market falling victim to the 'crunch', or do boats simply not suffer? I was expecting lots of people to be wanting to 'get out of' their boats since the fuel charge change alone.
Or... is there just a large berth-sized gap between what people are advertising/asking for their craft and what they are actually accepting?
Talking to the lot where I keep I keep mine, (Essex Boatyards) they have just had their best October sales ever. New and used.
They are having to look to extend the marina berths to accomodate as well.
The answer seems to be that those with money are not investing in property, small returns at the bank, so seem to be putting it into toys.
In retrospect all the large manufacturers have laid off people so go figure.
Anyway what you really wanted to know is whether the market is still bouyant or is it sinking? But you missed that opportunity
They are having to look to extend the marina berths to accomodate as well.
The answer seems to be that those with money are not investing in property, small returns at the bank, so seem to be putting it into toys.
In retrospect all the large manufacturers have laid off people so go figure.
Anyway what you really wanted to know is whether the market is still bouyant or is it sinking? But you missed that opportunity
nows the time most people look for a new boat. This alows them time to get the boat sorted for the next season. it also alows for the best inspection of a boat as most are out the water and the hulls can be examined.
My parents have just bought another boat. its older than the last one 4ft bigger and more than twice the price, however the last one sold in weeks.
My parents have just bought another boat. its older than the last one 4ft bigger and more than twice the price, however the last one sold in weeks.
I've been looking too.
Good boats at the right price still seem to sell quickly - it's only the shabby neglected ones at the bottom of the yard that hang around for months, mainly because they need so much spending on them.
Asking prices did seem higher a few months ago, but maybe sellers are getting real and accepting more treasonable offers. Several of the boats I've been looking at (23/26 foot sailing) have come down from around £10/12k to a more reasonable £7/8. The yacht brokers at Burnham (Essex) claim to be really busy - if that's the truth or just Brokers b
ks I'm not sure
All I need to do is sell mine first...
Good boats at the right price still seem to sell quickly - it's only the shabby neglected ones at the bottom of the yard that hang around for months, mainly because they need so much spending on them.
Asking prices did seem higher a few months ago, but maybe sellers are getting real and accepting more treasonable offers. Several of the boats I've been looking at (23/26 foot sailing) have come down from around £10/12k to a more reasonable £7/8. The yacht brokers at Burnham (Essex) claim to be really busy - if that's the truth or just Brokers b
ks I'm not sureAll I need to do is sell mine first...
Pugsey said:
V8mate said:
nothing huge, 4-6 berths, probably 30'-40', and competent enough to cross the Channel/North Sea in MOST weathers.
Blimey. Have you actually spent much time on the North Sea??V8mate said:
Pugsey said:
V8mate said:
nothing huge, 4-6 berths, probably 30'-40', and competent enough to cross the Channel/North Sea in MOST weathers.
Blimey. Have you actually spent much time on the North Sea??
It was the "most weathers" and North Sea bits that impressed me!Pugsey said:
V8mate said:
Pugsey said:
V8mate said:
nothing huge, 4-6 berths, probably 30'-40', and competent enough to cross the Channel/North Sea in MOST weathers.
Blimey. Have you actually spent much time on the North Sea?? It was the "most weathers" and North Sea bits that impressed me!
Something like this..... but for less than £40k
i am busier than i was this time last year... lots of cheeky offers flying around, but not all owners are prepared to drop their trousers and be spanked hard...
motor yachts are a complete horror show... i would estimate 30%+ has come off the value of the average stink-pot since last london boatshow. sailing yachts have faired much better unless you are talking about mass-produced plastic-fantastics (which fortunately, i don't normally deal with), or the larger flashier oysters and swans etc (which frustratingly, i do deal with).
i think essex boatyards have done really really well in the current market. they are dynamic and not afraid to put their balls on the line for a good idea. i went to uni with james barke and have a huge amount of time for his ideas... however, one of their biggest investments is fairline which might now be on shakey ground as their owners (3i) are teatering on the edge of a financial abyss... they wouldn't be the first major casualty and definitely not the last.
2009 will be a very 'interesting' year for the yachting world and the scenery will be VERY different in 12-24 months time.
....however, as a wise man once said.. God invented money so people could spend it on yachts.. let's just hope that the money begins to flow again some time soon.
yours... the resident pistonheads yachtbroker (come say hi at the london boatshow.. i'll be stepping across from my usual seat as sailing yacht broker to man the all-new windy 48 motor yacht)
motor yachts are a complete horror show... i would estimate 30%+ has come off the value of the average stink-pot since last london boatshow. sailing yachts have faired much better unless you are talking about mass-produced plastic-fantastics (which fortunately, i don't normally deal with), or the larger flashier oysters and swans etc (which frustratingly, i do deal with).
i think essex boatyards have done really really well in the current market. they are dynamic and not afraid to put their balls on the line for a good idea. i went to uni with james barke and have a huge amount of time for his ideas... however, one of their biggest investments is fairline which might now be on shakey ground as their owners (3i) are teatering on the edge of a financial abyss... they wouldn't be the first major casualty and definitely not the last.
2009 will be a very 'interesting' year for the yachting world and the scenery will be VERY different in 12-24 months time.
....however, as a wise man once said.. God invented money so people could spend it on yachts.. let's just hope that the money begins to flow again some time soon.
yours... the resident pistonheads yachtbroker (come say hi at the london boatshow.. i'll be stepping across from my usual seat as sailing yacht broker to man the all-new windy 48 motor yacht)
We're currently quite busy for the time of year, 4 out of the last six boats we've sold are heading abroad. The weakness of the pound seems to be helping us in this area. However the weak pound is causing some horrific 2009 stock price increases.
Cash flow is king at this time of year so cheeky offers are being accepted, better deals to be had buying from yards rather than private sellers at the minute.
Cash flow is king at this time of year so cheeky offers are being accepted, better deals to be had buying from yards rather than private sellers at the minute.
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