www.iFourWinns.com

Hello everyone! Just curious what your thoughts are for boat sales for this year? Last year seemed to have been a better year as far as used boat sales go, and our marina was near capacity for the first time ever. Anybody currently out in the market buying or selling that could provide some insight? Thanks

_________________
Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

Great question. It really seems to be where you are and what you are looking for is my answer. The glut of newer used boats seem to have dried up in our area with the models that don't have the right amenities still up for sale. Bigger used Express Cruisers don't seem to be moving even though there seems to be a continual price reduction on whats out there. I can't remember the last "New" boat I have seem delivered in our marina.

As far as open slips, where we were slipped last year has available space (several people moving, several done with boating). The poorly maintained marinas are ghost towns. However, the top marinas in the primo spots do have waiting lists. Will have to wait and see once the season starts exactly how full things are. Lot's of pressure by the marinas & yacht clubs to get people signed up early but I think its just scare tactics.

We were down in Florida last week and stopped into a dealer to discuss a small bay boat and dry slipping it. The dealer said that good used boats with the right engine/drive combo by a major manufacturer move quickly. They were moving both new & used boats at prices where they were making money and being competitive. That market seemed very stable.

The other thing that will scare people away again is this crazy jump in gas prices again. Should be an interesting season.

_________________
Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

Based on conversations I had with many dealers at the shows this year, I would say UP.

_________________
Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

Well in the Northeast, something like over 60,000 boats were damaged, many totaled by Hurricane Sandy, so I'd guess many people will be in the market, IF they still have their houses. Sadly, many lost homes and many marinas in the South Shore of Brooklyn, Queens and Nassau/Western Suffolk counties are closed because of damage, some may be closed indefinitely.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Think about how many of those 60K will soon be on the resale market!



Question.......Do Boats carry salvage titles like cars do?

_________________

2005 Four Winns Funship 214 VP 5.7/Duo Prop

A lot of it depends on the economy and gas prices. Many I know are leary of spending any large sums of money due to it.

As always, good clean used boats will sell, if they are priced right. FWIW, my old boat is back on the market down to a steal at 50k He'd be LUCKY to get 40 for it today.

Financing will play a role in bigger boat sales, I'm not sure how the lending is today on boat loans, but it wasn't all that difficult to get financed last year when I bought.

_________________
2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

At least interest rates are still great as compared with anytime in the last 5 years or so. Interest rates being low should help out both new and used buyers requiring financing.

Mike.

_________________

Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

I would say the new boat market is down cause if the prices but the used market is up. I know a lot of folks who dont have deep pockets and that is the route they are going. With the price of new boats you gonna need a truckload of money to pay for it.

_________________
1990 Four Winns Horizon 200
2005 GMC Sierra

Not buying or selling (for me ) so I will add just the facts.



.....

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

My 2 cents is that boats themselves will either stay the same or slighty dip a bit in purchase cost. The real hurt is all that goes with boating, fuel, parts, labor, slips/mooring, ramp fee's, etc.

Just in my little piece of the world, I have several friends who are gonna start trailering cause they can't afford the rising cost of slips and marina fuel.

_________________

1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

Just spoke with a dealer in Northeastern PA and he said it is going to be difficult for him to get new boats to stock this summer. So many Sandy victims with insurance checks in hand. Much of the inventory is headed that way. I could definitely see that driving prices up to some extent.

_________________
Seth




2005 210 Horizon
5.0L GXi
"Don't Think Twice"

when I spoke to our local FW dealer he said the market around here has been more for smaller boats, jet boats and pontoons, big boats are not moving.. they have a (I believe a 305 Vista) that hasnt moved in 3 years

_________________
"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

Not surprising. The 305 is not selling well anywhere in North America. I would not be surprised to see
that model dropped in the very near future.

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

but they have no other new Vistas at all. and havent for 6 months.

most folks are buying pre owned

_________________
"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

True about the pre-owned, but that supply is almost used up. Maybe it's not a bad thing that FW does not release any re-designed Vista's.
The V305 is a flop, and sales are flat to dead on the V275. Should tell you a little about two things:
1.) the reception by the buying public for these "new Vista's "
2.) 26 to34 foot express cruiser sales are the lowest now in 10 years plus. Recovery of this segment, 3 years away.

In this cruiser segment, Four Winns has lost their sales to the Regal 28 Express, Chap 270 Sig, Sea Ray 260DA, Monterey 260SCR. The few that have sold, are of these brands and models, Four Winns has been kicked to the curb by these boats.

The Kid will know what I mean about the V305, this quote is from April 2011 when they got the V305. They still have the same boat.


The price just keeps dropping on it too. At this rate, Twin City will be lucky to break even on it . Maybe someone from Croatia will take it off their hands. Yes the only one left, and been there for a couple years.

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2011/Fo ... ted-States

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy