Why the differnce in price?

[got seashells?]

Okay so this is confusing to me and wonder if you can shed some light. There appears to be a large difference in price when looking at boats in Turkey, Croatia and Spain versus the price listed in the US for similar boats. Is there a valid reason that is just escaping me? Or is it the people in the US are just willing to pay higher prices or something like that?

[LLCoolDave]

Turkey, Croatia, and to a lesser extent Spain is charter central. Most of these boats are rode hard and put away wet. There are some deals though if you are willing to wade through the muck.

[Tillsbury]

Always check you're getting the "similar boat". Many production boats have "charter spec" versions -- small heavy-duty sails, short masts, shoal keel, small engine, small winches, lots of cabins. Then they have "owner spec" boats, with the opposite. They are also substantially better looked after and have lower use. You'll find some areas of some countries have far more of one type of boat than the other, so comparing an identical model number of a particular boat may not help.

[Topspin]

Originally Posted by LLCoolDave

Turkey, Croatia, and to a lesser extent Spain is charter central.

Good deals can also be found in Greece.



-Richard

[Island Time O25]

This is no different than price differences in real estate. You may have identical houses selling for $X in one part of the country and $2X in another. Why? Because the more expensive housing area may have a wealthier population or have less inventory available or whatever.

Compared to the Med, US coasts have very few ex-charter boats for sale so there is relatively less 10 year old or under inventory. On the other hand there is a glut of 20+ year old boats of all shapes, sizes and makes and other than very few real "bristol shape" specimens, many (most?) can be haggled down considerably from their asking prices as the storage/berthing costs are very high compared to other parts of the world.

[Topspin]

Typical ex-charter boats are between 5-10 years old, their life was tough but they survived it, and they received a scheduled maintenance. If you have a good look and a good surveyor, you will surely find a decent boat.

The price will follow supply and demand and the specific market situation.

Another factor you should keep in mind is the equipment installed. You will find basic instruments, no radar, no AIS or other specialized cruising gear, anchor and rode are at the lower limits and sail quality is very basic and most probably in need of replacement. Engines will have something between 3000 and 5000 hours. Most probable, standing rigging and sail drive seal may need to be replaced as well for the 10-year boats.

But for small money and a bit extra for an extended refit, you will get a good cruiser. I would rather have a 5-year hull with new cruising gear after a refit I have done or supervised than a 20 year old boat with old cruising gear - but that is just my opinion.

Finally, these boats are designed for charter, so you typically find two forward and two aft cabins and 3-4 heads. So typically no luxury owners version.



-Richard

[Dockhead]

It's an inefficient market and you can find radically different prices for identical boats even in the same location.


But besides that, be careful with what you consider "similar". As others have said, charter boats with thousands of hours on the engines and a lot of wear and tear, and in undesirable charter configuration with tiny cabins and many heads, will usually be far cheaper than the same boat of the same year but owned by a private person and not used as much.



Pricing used boats is a fairly involved process, especially as they get older and you know less and less about the age and condition of all of the individual systems. Caveat emptor.

[cuffy]

Charter boats in these areas are also VAT free and Europeans buying these for private use in Europe would have to add 20%

[Stewie12]

Everything in the US is more expensive - including a beer.

[Clivevon]

"Everything in the US is more expensive - including a beer."

That hasnt been my experience when visiting U.S. My general perception is that many things cost about the same amount of dollars there as they do GBP sterling over here - despite £1 GBP (still) buying more than $1 US. Of course I believe we are more highly taxed in UK (but lets not get into that !).

Maybe everyone just thinks the cost of living is more expensive where they are?

[Topspin]

Originally Posted by Stewie12

Everything in the US is more expensive - including a beer.

Mate, you haven´t been to Australia yet ! (beer = 8$)



-Richard

[CassidyNZ]

Whilst charter boats live tougher lives than privately owned, I’m not sure that folks deliberately set about abusing them. But when they’re finally liberated into private service, those that look even halfway good is because the charter company has remedied the weaknesses revealed by their customers.

My boat started it’s life as a charter boat and had several owners between then and me. Whilst it isn’t a showpiece it holds its age pretty well and for the price I paid its the best value for money I could have expected. Will last me until my sailing days are over and the next owner will get a cheap boat that will serve him well too.

So whilst there will always be those prepared to spend top dollar on nursed boats, boat-for-boat the inherent seaworthiness of a vessel is not necessarily determined by how much money is spent. Looking at ex-charters can be a rewarding experience if you go into it with your eyes open.

[Mr B]

I bought a tailshaft universal joint for my boat yesterday from England,
Postage was 35 quid, Airmail, Listed on their site,
Talking on the phone, Oh, you live in Australia, Let me check,
Its 70 Quid to post to Australia,
35 Quid is for the UK and the USA,
The part was 172 Quid,
So in OZ its $420-00 AUD, Delivered,
The Black and rubber part in the piccys,

I did buy a Honda 6.5 KVA generator for $93-00 USD Delivered,
Normally around 2 Grand,
I also bought a Dinghy for $98-00 USD. Its on its way, Left Nanjing this morning,
Normally around $750-00

Whether I have been scammed on the generator and dinghy remains to be seen,
I will wait till they get here first before commenting,
But both are covered by Paypal, So I can get my money back if it is a scam,

I also bought my boat overseas as its half the price I would pay in OZ,

[Topspin]

Originally Posted by Mr B

I bought a Honda 6.5 KVA generator for $93-00 USD Delivered,
Normally around 2 Grand,

If it is too good to be true it probably isn´t. So good luck.....


Not everything is expensive in OZ, f.e. solar and batteries. But boats (and beers) are. We will buy in Croatia when we start our circumnavigation in 2022... No tax....


-Richard

[Orion Jim]

Originally Posted by Mr B

I bought a tailshaft universal joint for my boat yesterday from England,
Postage was 35 quid, Airmail, Listed on their site,
Talking on the phone, Oh, you live in Australia, Let me check,
Its 70 Quid to post to Australia,
35 Quid is for the UK and the USA,
The part was 172 Quid,
So in OZ its $420-00 AUD, Delivered,
The Black and rubber part in the piccys,

I did buy a Honda 6.5 KVA generator for $93-00 USD Delivered,
Normally around 2 Grand,
I also bought a Dinghy for $98-00 USD. Its on its way, Left Nanjing this morning,
Normally around $750-00

Whether I have been scammed on the generator and dinghy remains to be seen,
I will wait till they get here first before commenting,
But both are covered by Paypal, So I can get my money back if it is a scam,

I also bought my boat overseas as its half the price I would pay in OZ,

If that Honda generator is the real thing I advise you to order 10,000 the moment the verification is completed. I’ll buy one off you and pay the shipping gladly.