Do boat prices seasonally adjust?

[elkscout]

Has anyone followed boat prices long enough to know if there's any time of the year when the prices on average seem to be lower, maybe say during winter because less people would be willing to go out looking in the cold? Or would spring/summer be better when more boats would likely be advertised, and as such, perhaps a larger market to choose from would entice a little competition, even indirectly?

Is this a logical train of thought or would the current state of the economy be a larger factor? What about tax season?

I'm particularly wondering about 27' to 40' boats 25-35 years of age.

also, how do prior-charter boats' resell values compare- assuming all things being equal (if there is such a thing)?

[daydreamer92]

I don't have a lot of data to present a definitive answer, but I have read that buying right before people have to haul/store for the winter can be a good time. Also that winter is also a good time for bargains before people would have to pay for another spring/summer for a boat they don't plan to use.

Along those lines, I have seen a couple of "winter pricing, buy before spring!" type ads. That makes me suspect that buying a boat can be like buying a convertible or 4x4 truck: More expensive in the season you'd want to use it, less expensive when you wouldn't.

[bljones]

The advertised or listed price may not adjust, but the offer a buyer is willing to look at is often lower in the winter. Often much lower, if the boat has been for sale for a serious length of time.

[RIYachtBroker]

I'm a broker, and I agree with both of the above replies. The industry has been in a massive downward slide since late 2004. so prices were dropping through the floor. It has begun to recover starting last May/June (09). In some cases where boats sold for "x" last year are now selling for "x+" now, so it looks like the bottom of the market is over.
There is seasonal buying - Spring and fall, but every time a year ticks over, every boat will be one more model year older, and that can affect pricing too.
As BLJones states, look for boats that have been on the market for a while and you'll find that seller most likely to be anxious to sell, but obviously be careful that there's not a reason that it hasn't sold i.e. condition.
Finally, shop the web. If you know what you want, research that boat. There might be one for $5K-$10K less but 3,000 miles away from you. Use that price to negotiate for a local boat. There's a lot of inventory out there, so you should be able to find a good deal once you've settled on what you want.
Good luck.

[BarryL]

Hello,

IMHO, having bought 3 boats and sold 2 boats, and having bought and sold in spring, summer, and fall, that the only time prices decrease is in the fall. And only for a boat that is currently in the water and will have to be hauled soon. This allows the current owner to save the hauling fees, and that saving can be passed on to the buyer.

In the northeast (only area I am familiar with), winter doesn't seem to result in savings because boats aren't really sold in winter. Most buyers want an in water survey, and a sea trial, and that can't be done until spring. So there is no real incentive for owners to lower the price in the winter. Of the two boats I sold, one sold in a week, (listed in the summer). the other took a little longer because I first listed it in November and it didn't sell until the next May.

I supposed that if you saw a nice boat in the winter, and you didn't want an in water survey or sea trial, you could probably negotiate a great deal. But that is pretty risky.

Good luck,
Barry

[eherlihy]

I think that it depends on what kind, and size of boat that you're looking at.
The typical trailer sailor would probably be discounted in the late summer, fall time frame, because owners don't want to winterize and store it.

However, the typical 28'+ coastal, or blue water cruiser would be priced according to what the owner wants for it. I don't think that the season would have any influence on the asking price. Although, I believe that the owners of bigger boats will be more open to negotiation in the fall/winter.

I do think that it is much easier to sell a boat in the spring/summer.

[Paladen]

It does have a factor, but usually only on boats that have not been selling. (Then there is usually other factors involved - so be weary). I have found that people are keen to sell and will reduce the price in the fall to avoid haulout and storage costs. So people will also reduce the price based on when they have to pay storage. If it costs them nothing - then this isn't a factor.

[ChuckA]

I bought a boat last fall. I was able to sea trial before it was hauled. In the negotiations, the previous owner agreed to pay for hauling, winter storage and launching. This is a 30+ year old Pearson 28 and winter storage was almost 10% of the selling price. Be careful buying primarily on price, through. Condition is key. The cost of repairs/upgrades will quickly add up on these older boats.