I disagree with the whole "value" discussion... let's not turn into sunsation guys that think their boat is worth more AFTER it rolls off the lot... lol. I got a good buy on my 290 last spring, have put near 8 grand into it since then but on things that i WANTED not NEEDED... which do not really add much to the value of the boat. People need to realize that you do not get a return on your investment in "extra stuff". Also... a few funny terms I've been hearing lately... 'better than new condition'... 'owner was meticulous'... 'ive seen boats half as nice go for way more money' (no what you see is those owners ASKING for that price, and theyll own it till they die if they dont come off it)... etc... a boat being in excellent condition certainly helps you be in the higher end of the resale spectrum, but does not mean you charge only 30 grand off what the cost of the boat was new... lol.
Let's be realistic and make it so these boats can move... no one is going to 'take your word for it' and fork out an extra 10-20k bc u polished it more than the next guy. Just my .02

Now there is a TRUE statement.

Ya like it was maintain with an open check book... who has ever looked at a check book!!! it is in the red!!!

Aj, I agree with you the wanted list will never get anything back in return, but the "like new" condition boat will sell a hell of a lot faster than a neglected left in the sun boat.....
Personally if I looked at two identical boats and one looked better than the other, the shiny one is getting my check.
Elbow grease can go a long way, but has its limits.
There have been tremendous amounts of boats that have been on the market for serious lengths of time, and that is for all makes of boats.
I agree with you that sellers need to be reallistic.
I would rather sell my boat for 10-15K less and move on to the next venture as opose to marry it.

The value I was referring to was the NEEDS and not the WANTS. Just as you said... there is going to be a limit to the "high end" of the resale spectrum if you ever expect to sell.

H Everyone,

I own the $70K 380 in the classifieds. I've had it on the market since 2008. Despite my best efforts to have it be the most attractively priced boat in it's class, and many many individuals telling me they were coming to get it over that time only to not show up, I've only actually had one person come to see the boat since I first listed it. I think where the boat is located is as big or even bigger factor then price. There isn't much of a market for high-performance offshore boats in Birmingham, AL!

Just to clear up a couple of earlier posts, the boat has been put into salt water maybe 7 or 8 times (2 poker runs included) in it's life and washed and flushed after every use. You sure couldn't tell it has ever been in salt water by looking at it. For over half of it's life it has been kept indoors, and was used on a freshwater lake for all but one summer (2008) when I took it to the coast but hardly used it because I bought another boat that year. Yes, it is 10 years old, but if you added together every nick and scratch that is on it I bet it wouldn't cover two square inches. It really is in great shape. The vinyl is where it shows most of its age, being white, but even that is in pretty good shape. The trailer is the weak link from being backed into salt water, and is due for a blast and paint. I thought I had lowered the price enough for any prospective buyer simply to replace it with a new one in either steel or aluminum, but obviously no luck selling it as of yet.

What do you guys think it would take to find a new home for it? I hate to see it sitting unused, but so far have not been able to figure out the right solution and I can't manage to use two boats at once!

Robert

Wish I could take it off your hands Robert, but still have my boat and not exactly the selling season here in Michigan

From day one I never considered a boat "an investment." It's an "pleasure COST." We are basically paying for the pleasure of being on the water. At least in my case, I do not want to stretch myself thin on a boat payment that has everything contained. Even though it's probably the smartest choice of the two. If I save enough $$$ for upgrades and I'm comfortable that I can "blow it on the boat" than I will. If I'm already paying for a boat that already contains the upgrades in a big payment, and something goes wrong with a necessity, let's say a new roof on my house, then I'm screwed.

I realize I'm in a "hobby" that perhaps my wallet can't keep up, but I love it. Additionally, I'm the type of person that if I had a boat with everything I've always wanted, then I'd would have a hard time enjoying it, because I'm always chasing a way to upgrade. Maybe I'm in minority, but this the way my head rationalizes making a monthly payment with part of my kids college education $$$ that is currently sitting on a trailer!

verbi, are you stuck on PQ? My '08 37 AT is for sale in your price range. All the bells and whistles, beautiful stand up cabin and head, 525 efi's, and an unbelievable ride quality. 88.2 is my personal best on stock Bravos. Running stock 5 blade Hydros now. Stored indoors 24/7 and meticulously maintained. Only 112 hours. And I own the title.

I'm motivated to sell as I'm ready for something completely different.

Shoot me a PM if you would like more info.

Macklin, now what are you going to get? AT is a very nice boat and a good ride, I am sure you wont have any issues selling it. From what I remember of your PQ is was in awsome shape as well when you traded it.