When is a Boat Not "New"

[sailorboy1]

With all the boat threads as to style, age, classic, non-classic, etc. etc., I wonder how old a boat has to be to not be "new". Is a "modern" boat that is physically 5 years old still "new". How about if it is 10 years, 15 years, 20 years old now? Is a 20 year old "modern" boat still a "new" style boat? When does a boat become a "classic"? Is a 15 year old modern production boat still a "new" unproven boat?

[Cheechako]

Well new is new. But I would say about 5 years max. At 7-8 years things start to go bad IME.

[boatman61]

Its 'Used' once that bill of sale lands in your hands..

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Its 'Used' once that bill of sale lands in your hands..

Sadly, this is true and the only correct answer.

It may be a newer model, but a new boat is the one you order brand spanking new. After that, it's a new-to-you boat

[indimini]

Is your question more one of style? If so, it seems "newness" is tied to any changes in styling trends. I've noticed how monohulls have moved toward plumb bows, wider beams carried aft, hard chines, etc. on. My boat, 30+ years of age, is definitely more "classic" in design with a LOA quite a bit longer than LWL, a more tapered cockpit etc.

I am curious to know people's thoughts on how "newness" of design impacts resale. As we are shopping for a new/newer cat, I find myself questioning the impact changing design trends by the big three cat manufacturers has on resale. Contrast that with a boat I presonally really like: the Seawind 1160. That design that hasn't changed significantly in a decade. Over those same # of years, Lagoon, FP, Leopard, etc have dramatically changed their design philosophy. So, a 4-7 year old cat from the big 3 looks much more dated to me than a 4-7 year old Seawind (not withstanding aging/neglect etc.)

[Brob2]

full keel = old
fin keel = new
fin keel w/o skeg hung rudder = way new
torpedo keel = crazy new

per Nova Scotia handbook of design (that I have yet to write)

[leftbrainstuff]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

With all the boat threads as to style, age, classic, non-classic, etc. etc., I wonder how old a boat has to be to not be "new". Is a "modern" boat that is physically 5 years old still "new". How about if it is 10 years, 15 years, 20 years old now? Is a 20 year old "modern" boat still a "new" style boat? When does a boat become a "classic"? Is a 15 year old modern production boat still a "new" unproven boat?

How long is a piece of string?

In the automobile world classic, vintage, veteran, etc are all objectively defined.

Perhaps plotting SA/D and related metrics might highlight some step changes through the years. This is the approach I would take as an engineer. Let the data tell a story.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by leftbrainstuff

How long is a piece of string?

99.99 cm as after that it may be as well be a meter, at which point becomes whole and not a piece, now we can move on

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by Brob2

fin keel w/o skeg hung rudder = way new

So my 42 yo boat is way new? Teehee!

[jongleur]

Nah. How Long is a Chinaman.

I bought a 1967 boat in 1986 and
sold it in 1993. Went to look at
it in 2001 and it appeared to be
in better condition than when it
was new. Sadly, I saw it about
4 years ago and it was in rough
condition.

As the saying goes, though: New
head, new handle, same old hammer.

[Tbrad]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

99.99 cm as after that it may be as well be a meter, at which point becomes whole and not a piece, now we can move on

Hear! Hear!

[TeddyDiver]

When the manufacturer declines further warranty prepairs..

[Brob2]

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

So my 42 yo boat is way new? Teehee!

Yes! J-24's, Lasers, great boats launched in the 70's that were revolutionary- design change since then have just been evolutionary!

[JPA Cate]

How about it is no longer new once you have drilled your first hole in her? At least this would hold true for the new-to-you boat, and could apply reversed: when you fill the first hole in her.

Otherwise, the as soon as you hold the sales receipt in your hand, and regardless of warranty repairs which may or not may happen, because then the best you can do is "nearly new" or "used once." Let's hope that doesn't happen to any more of us.

Ann

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

With all the boat threads as to style, age, classic, non-classic, etc. etc., I wonder how old a boat has to be to not be "new". Is a "modern" boat that is physically 5 years old still "new". How about if it is 10 years, 15 years, 20 years old now? Is a 20 year old "modern" boat still a "new" style boat? When does a boat become a "classic"? Is a 15 year old modern production boat still a "new" unproven boat?

My suspicion is your asking one question and not two? Though not real clear. I suspect your really asking is about the 'style'

In which case you can get some pretty rescently built boats that are 'old style' and you can get some 20 year old boats that are 'new style'.

I have a ketch which most people i think would consider 'old' where as sloops are more 'new' style. What they are being made of i suspects matters too. Composites are pretty new.

But, i dont think you can answer this question as if you would a car. The technologies i dont think are changing that much, apart from racing models where 5 yesrs old seems to be 'out dated'.