Flipping a Coin: New Boat vs. Used

[Racklefrack]

JimS123, thank you... I really appreciate your perspective. I tend to agree that buying new eliminates a lot of the concerns over buying used and I'm heavily leaning in that direction. I'm not in any hurry to buy - in fact, we just built a new house so I won't be buying until we get that all set up - so I'm going to keep a careful eye out for high-quality used boats, but I'm anxiously awaiting the 2018 models to see what's new.

I know the reputation of entry-level fiberglass boats isn't the greatest, but everything I've read and seen in person suggests they'll serve our needs perfectly.

Late or not, your input is greatly appreciated

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

With no real buget at least your goal can be obtained. Not that you cant try to find a budget priced lower than new. Aluminum riveted boats in the 18 to 19 foot range with a deep V would be where id focus my search. Semi Vs dont perform that well tend to have thicker hulls meaning your weight quest is out the window. Myself I will never own a riveted boat. But Ive been in more than a few that were great all around boats. I boat in some very rough water and am hard on equipment rivets and seems are kind of a weak combo for some users. Watch all boats with much wood in them especially ones with carpet. I own a Spectrum 19.6 Pro Avenger best all around boat youll ever find. Welded light runs 54 MPH with 8 people on board. However 75% of the wood was rotten it did make it 15 years though. I spent about $3000 and an entire winter rebuilding it better than when it was new. You will struggle with most aluminum boats having a lot of wood in flooring consoles cored transoms. So me id buy something that was less than 5 years old or that has been very well rebuilt. In the 18 foot class aluminum riveted sport fishing boat design youll get decent everything speed fuel mileage ride and costs are ok. Im a mercruiser IB guy who also owns a brand new 26 boat with twin yamahas. I love my new boat. Owned it a month been out in my Spectrum more than it. That will change soon though. It may be hard to find without special ordering it but an aluminum trailer will also cut some weight allowing your boat to be bigger it will add some costs but maybe not that much?

 

[fishrdan]

local lakes and rivers in Arizona... Mead, Havasu, Pleasant, Mohave, Powell, Colorado, etc.

Go out and touch a car/truck metal fender around 3PMish tomorrow afternoon, that's what an aluminum boat's hull is going to feel like cooking in the sun. I have an aluminum Crestliner, and that's the only thing I hate about the boat. Touch one of the (painted) metal surfaces and you'll know it really quick. With my old fiberglass boat I don't ever remember that being an issue...

90% of my boating is on Mead and Mohave.

 

[jkust]

Maybe a little late in the conversation here, but here is my $0.02 anyway.

I have bought new, used, crap needing refurbishing, inboard, outboard, aluminum and glass. My first was homemade wood. One of my current treasures is wood, wouldn't trade her for any money, she was out with the family today, but that's for another story.

IMHO, brand new, fiberglass outboard, entry level is what you should buy. Today entry level doesn't mean junk. It just means smaller, fewer amenities and not the biggest motor available.

Mt buddy bought one just like that. He was clueless about upkeep and maintenance, and when he sold it is was crap. But you couldn't tell. A neighbor had a clunker sitting in the driveway uncovered for 3 years, unused. He cleaned it up and polished it , put it in the garage and advertised it as garage kept. It sold in a day. That's what you run into with used - you never know.

My "old" boat was bought brand new 33 years ago. Its worth more now than I paid for it. Depreciation.....pfffft. If you keep it long enough you made a good investment.

My "new" boat came with a 2 year warranty. The dealer extended it to 5 years. Awesome purchase and awesome dealer.

My last used OB came with all kinds of guarantees. It ran only 1 time. The final cost to get it in shape was twice what I paid.

Yeah, the 2footitis guy that sells his pristine baby, or the guy (bless his heart) that sells his baby because he just got deployed to Afghanistan are surely out there. Buy new and you don't have to worry.

I also have a 33 year old boat my dad purchased new at the boat show. it looks like it sat in a time capsule it was so well maintained. Of course i'd have to take into account the roughly 140% inflation since then to say I could get more for it. Maybe that's possible but if I got the same dollar amount that I paid, I'd be taking a loss not that you'd care after so many years of use. Boats depreciate unless they are a special circumstance boat or some other condition bends the formula.stuff hits a bottom price threshold and just sits there. I've got a 1973 outboard engone and swear the used price I could get for it hasn't changed in 20 years as it hit its bottom.

 

[southkogs]

I'll pile on a little late in the game too and toss in a couple of pennies about the original question -

Nearly any boat that was made reasonably well, and has a pretty common power plant that is well cared for can last you a long time. That doesn't mean that some aren't indeed better than others, and that there are (or at least can be) issues with fit and finish on more "entry level" models - but you can get the same rotten eggs from the fancy stuff too. I wound up with an '02 Bayliner kinda' unexpectedly. It came from family, and I knew the boat well enough to know what I was getting. It's a 3.0l Merc and honestly it does me just fine - perhaps even a little better than expected.

A lot of folks around here are running Tahoe boats from Tracker. Nothing you'll impress the yacht club with, but they seem to be decent enough boats.

A used boat that was obviously well cared for is nearly as good as a new boat in my opinion. Someone has already shaken the pieces loose, and found the idiosyncrasies of the boat. If it's still in good condition and running well, you kind of know a little better what you're getting in the best cases.

 

[Racklefrack]

I'll pile on a little late in the game too and toss in a couple of pennies about the original question -

Nearly any boat that was made reasonably well, and has a pretty common power plant that is well cared for can last you a long time. That doesn't mean that some aren't indeed better than others, and that there are (or at least can be) issues with fit and finish on more "entry level" models - but you can get the same rotten eggs from the fancy stuff too. I wound up with an '02 Bayliner kinda' unexpectedly. It came from family, and I knew the boat well enough to know what I was getting. It's a 3.0l Merc and honestly it does me just fine - perhaps even a little better than expected.

A lot of folks around here are running Tahoe boats from Tracker. Nothing you'll impress the yacht club with, but they seem to be decent enough boats.

A used boat that was obviously well cared for is nearly as good as a new boat in my opinion. Someone has already shaken the pieces loose, and found the idiosyncrasies of the boat. If it's still in good condition and running well, you kind of know a little better what you're getting in the best cases.

First, thanks for focusing on my original question

Two years ago we went through kind of the same decision-making process when we bought our RV... used or new? We decided then that used was by far the biggest bang for our buck, and that's probably true for a boat as well. I'm currently leaning toward buying new but I won't pass up a good deal on a great used boat. We're not buying for another few months so we have time to see which comes first - the best new or used boat that comes along first wins.

Thanks!

 

[JimS123]

I also have a 33 year old boat my dad purchased new at the boat show. it looks like it sat in a time capsule it was so well maintained. Of course i'd have to take into account the roughly 140% inflation since then to say I could get more for it. Maybe that's possible but if I got the same dollar amount that I paid, I'd be taking a loss not that you'd care after so many years of use. Boats depreciate unless they are a special circumstance boat or some other condition bends the formula.stuff hits a bottom price threshold and just sits there. I've got a 1973 outboard engone and swear the used price I could get for it hasn't changed in 20 years as it hit its bottom.

I have agreed value boat insurance, so I don't need appraisals to say what it's worth. OTOH, my 37 year old virgin land yacht (towcar) DOES need to be appraised every so often for insurance purposes, so I can speak better in that regard.

I paid $7100 cash OTD back in 1980. Today's appraisal is at $8900. So, I can get more than what I paid for it. Of course, if I had invested the $7100 back then my bank account would be worth $84,365.23 today (or whatever, I just picked a number). Yes, I can sell it for more than I paid for it. Would I be making a profit - no. Do you get my drift?

My point was that the longer you keep the boat, the less effect depreciation has.

In my hypothetical car scenario, the value added good times and vacation trips we have had for these 37 years have added up to over $1,000,000.00 in enjoyment, so if I sold the car now I would be making a huge profit.

Looking at my old boat and car makes me feel good....looking at my bank account makes we want another beer.

 

[JimS123]

First, thanks for focusing on my original question

Two years ago we went through kind of the same decision-making process when we bought our RV... used or new? We decided then that used was by far the biggest bang for our buck, and that's probably true for a boat as well. I'm currently leaning toward buying new but I won't pass up a good deal on a great used boat. We're not buying for another few months so we have time to see which comes first - the best new or used boat that comes along first wins.

Thanks!

In 1987 we bought 50 acres, set up a campsite and bought a 23 year old solid camper. In 2014, when the camper was in her 50th year, we decided to upgrade to a newer model that had all the amenities that we didn't have. Hot water, shower, electric, etc. - no other reasons.

We looked around and decided new was the only way I would go. Even the slightly used ones has been molested in one way or another.

No dealer would take a 50 year old camper - mostly because it had not been moved in 27 years and they wouldn't trust the tires. So, we just moved her up the hill a bit and it's now our guest house. $900 was the initial investment and with minimal maintenance all systems still work. That amounts to $33 a year. Think I got my money's worth?

New or used - your decision. In our case new has always proven to be the right decision.

 

[REN3G8]

I'm trying to think of a compatible to both comparison...ok, so we may both be familiar with a Toyota rav 4...say a 2007 model ? I used to have one of these. They are probably considered a small tow vehicle Across there, but over here they can legally tow 2000-2200kgs, which I believe is 4500-5000lbs almost.
Please someone educate me....or just make me jealous of the American lifestyle for the umpteenth time...haha.

I know it's BS, lol... I have an 08 RAV4 with the V6, in Canada (and North America in general) it's rated at 3500lbs max, 2000 with the 4Cyl motor... yet in the rest of the world is rated at 4500lbs, 3500 with the 4cyl.

From what I gather in the RAV4 forums, most car companies in north america will do this as a CYOA in case of a lawsuit... we told you you can only "safely" pull this much weight, you chose to go over that then you're on your own.