New or Used?
 

If all goes well, my 30 Cobra Cat in the OSO class. will be sold tomorrow afternoon. If you caught my previous thread, I am looking at a new Baja 33 Outlaw. I had to look at new b/c I couldn't sell my boat and so, needed to trade it in. Now, I was able to sell it privately and accordingly, no longer have a trade. B/c of the family, I have to go to a V hull. The Mrs. really likes the Outlaw b/c of its approx. $120,000 price tag for a new boat. I was told another $6,000 and I can extend the warranties another 5 yrs. I am not mechanical. It is far easier for my wife to understand a fixed monthly payment as oppossed to spending thousands to keep it running out of warranty. What would you recommend, for me, based on the above, new or used? If used, any leads would be appreciated.

i'm with too old if you buy new in 4 years you will have lost a lot. I have seen my friends make this mistake.

It's used for me for two reasons. One reason Too Old already mentioned. Other, a used boat in my state has no sales tax. I could buy a 300k boat and not pay one penny in sales tax as long as it's been tagged before. This goes for a boat I bring in from out of state too. That makes a BIG difference to me.

Buck
#183

We all like new, but lets face it, these are hi-perf. machines, things go wrong, by a 1 year old boat, or demo, thats in prestine condition, you should get a better deal and all the bugs will be worked out, good luck:D

buying new and dealing with some of these people...WOW!....i would rather have toes cut off!

"BUGS"....yeah....LOL

You could probably find a late model used boat that is still under warranty. For that kind of money there is a lot to choose from. It only costs $50 to have a warranty transfered.

Update. The Cobra was, in fact, sold today. Good luck w/ it to Rich Mazzi. I'm a real buyer now. Thanks for all the advice guys.

I would never buy a new boat. I 've bought 2 used boats and saved many $$$ my buddy took a huge loss for 1 year NO way You can find too many great deals on demo's and 1 year boats You would be surprised how many people go buy a boat with no clue how they are going to keep it up n make make payments so they sell after first year esp once winter comes n they seee it sit . try to find a boat up by me in new your or pa area no salt water and used only a fw months

Buying new is good because you are able to have the boat built to your specs. If you intend to keep it for a long period of time, it's not a bad way to go since you're happy with what you've bought and you can maintain it well. I bought a new custom boat and am going on my 3rd season with it. It looks and runs just as good as the first day I had it and we're going to keep it for a while. Just make sure it has enough power. We like our boat but are bored with the 496HO already and can't afford a newer engine so we're stuck with it. I won't supercharge it because I don't want the headaches that go along with that. Reliability is important to us.

However, if you're going to dump it in a few years, go used, you'll save a ton of money and there are some great deals out there if you look hard enough. This economic climate is good if you're buying used.

Thanks Indy, the 33 Outlaw we're looking at has twin 496ho's. They told me mid 70's which, if true, is acceptable after selling a 100 mph cat. What boat do you have and what speeds are you getting? Also, how dependable have those engines been?

I bought a 2001 28' Nordic with the 496HO (single). We're getting 67 @ 4950, 41 @ 3500. We'd like to cruise faster, but not with this horsepower. WOT is not that important to us, but fast cruising is, that's why we're disappointed. The engine has been flawless after 130 hours and there is no doubt it's a good engine. Oil changes and winterization are a breeze, so from a routine maintenance standpoint it's excellent. The closed cooling is wonderful since I boat in salt water, and the engine temps are better regulated that way, no need to change anti-freeze for 5 years :D. It's just that it is pushing a single 28' boat that is the issue, if I was ordering this boat all over again, I'd get something like a Chief 540 EFI, but that's jsut wishful thinking at this point. Hope that helped...Steve

I've owned 3 new boats in the past, all under 23 feet. The depreciation is TERRIBLE ON NEW BOATS!

Lost---
47% on the first boat
43% on second
40% on third

Last year I bought an 8 year old boat with only 150 hours on it! (Formula 303SR1)

When dealing with larger boats (over 25 feet) new boats depreciate way too much in dollars, especially certain brands.

Find a clean used or leftover with a waranty.

Just my .02

Toolman :D

Indy I hear what you are saying I have a 28.8 Sunsation with a stock 502 mpi. I wish this boat was a little more faster at cruising. When I look at what I cruise with they all have twins. A 29 baja outlaw (twin) a 28 sonic (twin) a 28 donzi (twin) Here I am pushing my boat with a single. But don't get me wrong this Sunsation My god for a single engine a WOT I am right there with these twin boats. :fish:

Oh yea I also lost
38% on first boat
32% on second boat

I would never ever buy a new boat, Well unless I becomse rich or hit lottery for millions. Thats when i'll buy an Outterlimits:D

I'm not convienced that the waranty outweights the hit you'll take on the deprieciation. I'd look for a nice late model.

You can definately find a boat 2 or three years old thats in meticulous condition for about 1/2 of what it sold for new.


i would never buy brand new unless i didnt care about the first year depreciation. Its a killer

Hey fdaddy,my friend has a 36 baha,like a 98,with 502s,i rebuilt,white and purple,not used alot,a nice clean boat,also has new ex,i think about 80,if intrested e mail,[email protected],tripps

A 36 doing 80 on 502 power? Whats done to them? someone around here has a 32 with twin 502@500hp ea, 75 tops.

I might be mistaken , but i think he was referring to the price.. 80 being 80k

its hard to decide;
how long are you planning to use your boat?if too long buy new..
on the other hand if you are gonna change it after 2-3 years buy used.
you loose money when you decide to sell your new boat but dont forget you never waste time with rebuilding ...etc...new boat new engines thats cool.

i would buy new ;

Man, time is running out and I need to make a decision. I appreciate everybodys comments. My dream boat is a Cig TG. I found a '94 w/ '02 500 EFI's for about the same price as the Outlaw. ($125k-135k). I emailed the dealer (Grovers in NY) about the availability of an extended warranty on the '02 engines and how financing goes on an older boat. I'd love to go w/ the Cig. if warranties are available and financing is good. We'll see.

Grovers Yea I bought my checkmate from them 3 years ago. nice place it's right down the street from the new Ocean One marina. I think the salesman is named marc. Most of the boats they sell they attach a warranty It's easy to find that place But Gotta tell 1 thing The way you get there is NOT the way you can take your boat home. The guy tells me as I leave Don't get back on the park way with the boat NO trailers allowed It's like 10 mins from the Gothels bridge . But hey now i have a used Sunsation and love it. Goodluck :p