Determining Boat Value

[wildnorthern]

If someone buys a 2012 boat and with fish finders, trolling motor and kick etc.. has $$$$$$ in the boat, what percentage of that is the boat worth the following year. Talking a nicer glass boat, not a ranger but one of the top 3 glass mfg.

[BCB]

They generally start at about 7 to 12% for the first year fom actual cost of the rig. They are often inflated for NADA and ABOS numbers and after the first season they tend to drop 5 to 7% a year. There are variances in the boat ratings based on longevity and history by some blue book companies. The variance is slight though and a company with no historic financial issues and turmoil will benefit slightly.

[Shellback]

Don't know if you are interested in buying or selling. Personally, if I was buying, I would put the first years depreciation in the 15 to 20% range. Although boat and engine manufacturers have become more generous with transferring warranties, trailers, electronics, trolling motors and other accessories, not so much. Seeing how you could easily have $5000 or more in accessories, I'd rather go new and be assured of a warranty, rather than save less than 10% on a 1 year old used boat.

[croixdog]

Well, I have heard from more than one dealer when I have traded in my boat that new boats depreciate 20% the first year and 15% the second year. Thats huge.

I dont think that is always the case, for example if you had a boat with less than 10 hours on it and not a scratch, it may be worth more. BTW I own a ranger and they depreciate every bit as bad as the others (when you want to trade).

Croixdog

[REW]

Remember, it is not what someone thinks it is worth, but what someone actually sells a rig for determines its worth.

Don't be surprised if you find that you have a 30% hit in actual cash outlay the first year of ownership.

But, every boat and motor rig is different and every marketing area is also different.

It is also dependent on the economic climate in the year that you bought the boat, compared to the year that you might want to sell the boat.
The economy may have been in a slump when you bought the boat, and the dealer had to give a huge discount to move the boat. Then, the year that the boat was sold, the economy may have been burning up and thus could command a very high price and get it.

But, the reverse could also be true. That is - a hot economy when the boat was purchased, and a slumping economy when the boat was sold.

----------
In many prior years, with years of relative stable or growing economies, this was really not an issue with respect to boat prices.

But in today's uncertain economic years, it is certainly a big part of the overall boat price equation.

Good luck
REW

p.s.
Electronics depreciate much faster than boats and motors. The reason is simple. The typical electronics life is something like 2 1/2 years. So a new $2K depth finder might only be worth $300 in 3 years.
But a $40K boat could still be worth $15K in 15 years.

[ranger1850]

Originally Posted by croixdog

Well, I have heard from more than one dealer when I have traded in my boat that new boats depreciate 20% the first year and 15% the second year. Thats huge.

I dont think that is always the case, for example if you had a boat with less than 10 hours on it and not a scratch, it may be worth more. BTW I own a ranger and they depreciate every bit as bad as the others (when you want to trade).

Croixdog

Yes, I agree, they love to quote NADA low price. I have 2005 1850 and will not give it away to a dealer. I had alot of help from guys here and know what they are really worth. In closing the first two years you own the boat is when the biggest hit it taken. I agree with the 20% 1st yr and 15% 2nd year. I like buying new, I can order what I want and get the warranty that I need.

[beeman]

Alum rigs can last 80 years, lot's Lund guys that sold them 15years later for what they paid. Do you know of any RV trailers that do this only one Airstream. Rangers are in class all there own including boston whalers,graddy whites