Repairs/Upgrades--Return at Sale

halyardz · #1 (**permalink**) 08-31-2002

What types of mechanical upgrades (not new sails or electronics)generally recover or lose their cost when the boat is sold? Obviously this depends on the boat, buyer, condition, market, etc. Sometimes we sink a good deal of money into, say, a 1982 hull, and while it may be the "best" 1982 xxxx around, what is realistic?

To clarify, the things I''m thinking about are "elective" rather than required (such as replacing a busted head). You could rebuild the transmission, add fuel polishing system, add extra battery bank, add to the water tankage etc.

ndsailor · #2 (**permalink**) 08-31-2002

Although the performance of lightning protection is debatable, I have found that if a boat has it buyers tend to remember that feature when comparing two boats that are alike., also new sheets and halyards and a boom vang make a boat more attractive to a buyer who is an experienced sailor. Some prefer lines lead back to the cockpit and, if a certain boat is so equipped, could be a deciding factor when a buyer is attempting to decide between boats of choice.

paulk · #3 (**permalink**) 09-01-2002

"Upgrading" a boat is a lot like upgrading your house. You need to look around the neighborhood to see what everyone else has. That becomes the starting point, or given. If your house lacks central a/c, and everyone else has it, that''s where you spend your money, or your house won''t attract potential buyers. For your boat, you need to see what other boats LIKE YOURS generally have. If they all have hot water and you dont.... After you''ve attained the average goodie-level of boats like yours, you can look around at other boats to see what people in general add on to their boats. A lot of resale value depends on the kind of boat you have, and what you -and the next owner - plan to do with her. If you have an Ingrid ketch, solar panels or a wind powered generator might make sense. New Ockam instumentation with 6" LCD displays on the mast might not. A new dinghy and motor chocked on the cabin top might be a good addition to a coastal cruiser, or a new sail might be in order, to round out the inventory for a wider range of conditions. There are lots of variables = that''s why there are so many different boats.

windship · #4 (**permalink**) 09-02-2002

If your worried about that... why don''t you just buy a boat with all that stuff on it already, then you won''t have to do a thing to it. You''ll be ready to sell on the day you buy.But to me, thats not what it''s all about.Just buy the boat you want.Set it up the way you want.Go have fun.And worry about that stuff at a later date.
Done correctly,whatever you do will pretty much constitute an upgrade or accessory.

Dennis

aasault · #5 (**permalink**) 09-02-2002

Talk about upgrades, my Dehler Optima 101 is for sale, with a new Yanmar diesel ($10,000), new kevlar #3 and new North cruising spinnaker ($4,000), and some other goodies. She hasn''t got a sniff from buyers, even priced below market. The unsettling part is a similarly upgraded 1985 Catalina would have been gone in a day, even though it''s an inferior boat, at the same price. Go figure.....

Irwin32 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-02-2002

It seems to me that most upgrades are money losers. What most of us look for when we buy is a boat that is in overall good condition. Most buyers expect to "upgrade" and are really looking for a boat that is worth the effort.
Making your boat look good is the best upgrade. Buyers expect to add equipment. Buying a used boat boils down to price/size/condition.

windship · #7 (**permalink**) 09-03-2002

I pretty much agree with Irwin32 however ,I think your boat should be set-up in a way to make your life on board more pleasant without alot of concern for re-sale.I don''t know obout everybody else but I didn''t buy my boat as an investment.
I''ve spent at least ten thousand dollars on my boat in the last nine years in upgrades and the like and if I have the boat that long again, will probably spend alot more. Although the money I have spent has increased the value some,I know from the begining I won''t see most of it when I sell.I realize this from the begining.But then again, thats not why I spent the money.I spent the money to make my experience on board safer and more pleasant.

Dennis

halyardz · #8 (**permalink**) 09-04-2002

Good advice about most buyers expecting to do some upgrades...I''ve started that process with my boat purchased in 01. The PO started the upgrade process, new 160 (but no new main, still the 20 yr old original), autopilot was only a few years old (but rest of electronics basically 12+ years old), etc. I wasn''t "dazzled" by how clean the boat looked, but that was easily corrected. For me it was the "extras" that made the deal. Agreed, you must think of your own comfort and safety while sailing rather than the resale...but for big ticket "optional" upgrades, it is a concern.

windship · #9 (**permalink**) 09-04-2002

halyardz,
Good morning,
What big ticket items do you mean?

Dennis

mikehoyt · #10 (**permalink**) 09-05-2002

I agree with one of the above posts. The best money return (for you) on upgrades are those upgrades made by the previous owner. Then you pay little or nothing for the extras that you get to enjoy!

When buying the boat find one in good condition with the goodies you want. There are thousands of boats out there so it is very easy to find one already upgraded.

For upgrades after you buy simply buy the stuff that you want. You will get almost nothing for it afterward anyway so enjoy it while it is yours!

The only upgrades that you must do because it will make the boat more "marketable" are not really upgrades but maintenance. Replacing 20 year old standing rigging, 23 year old sails, etc... is something that should be a "when" not an "if" as these are maintenance items rather than upgrades.

Have fun spending your money!

Mike