We are thinking about selling our Caliber 40 in order to
purchase a much larger
boat. I have a question about what prospective purchasers of USED cruising boats look for when considering interiors, nav stations,
electronics, and electrics. I would like to hear from all you looking to
purchase a well equipped cruising
boat or have done so in the last few years.
We purchased our boat new in early 1995 and installed every comfort and
safety item then available. The boat has carried us over 12,000 NM from 55N to 18S during the last 17-years. I would be 100% confident sailing from our slip today and heading off to
Hawaii or the
South Pacific. Everything on the boat is 100% functional – but all old and obsolete.
Most of the
electronics and electrics are over 20-years old, not shiny and new, and definitely not in color. I suspect
new boat owners would be turned off by the “ancient” technology that has served us so well.
So, what to do?
Would the prospective purchaser prefer to do all the upgrades while I discount the selling price?
Will more prospective purchasers look at the boat if I have already done the upgrades?
What are your thoughts about LOOKING at the boat and BUYING the boat with or without the upgrades?
Here are some details. The following
equipment is at least 17-years old and all is obsolete, while still working perfectly:
- Freedom 20
battery charger/inverter
- Link 2000R controller for Freedom 20
- Trace C-40 controller for our 500-watts of
solar panels
- Freedom Incharge voltage
regulator
-
Raymarine R20XX 4Kw monochrome
radar with CRT display
- All electronics,
instruments,
radar,
autopilot linked via
SeaTalk
-
ICOM VHF
- Two standalone
GPS devices connected to
autopilot and PC
-
Raymarine ST60
wind instrument
- Raymarine ST50
depth sounder
- Raymarine ST50
knot meter and log
-
ICOM 710RT Ham
radio & AT140
antenna tuner
-
Pactor III
modem
- SONY 10 CD
remote control player
- Jenson 25-watt stereo
- ADR stereo speakers
AND – there is no integrated
chartplotter and no color displays
I can replace all the electronic and
electrical equipment with new very good stuff without spending a fortune because I get professional discounts and I do all my own
work.
But, will the new owner want a different instrument system?
All 20
interior lights are old incandescent or Thinline Flourescent. The light fixtures all
work but all look old and well used. All the upholstery is clean and neat but shows 15-years of
live aboard usage.
Lights and upholstery are a very personal choice so should I leave that choice to the new owner?
The
navigation station is dated and looks messy with all the stuff I’ve added over the years. A friend is a wonderful
marine woodworker and could create a new, and perfect instrument and electronic panel.
But, would it be better to let the new owner create the panel of their desires?
We can afford to upgrade everything before listing it but is that the best tactic? Should I discount the price and let the new owners do what they want?
We've always spent the
money and time to keep the boat in perfect operating condition. During the last three years we have replaced or updated the following:
- new
mainsail (Quantum Hydranet 4-full length battens with battslides)
- rebuilt
genoa (top of the line
Spectra TX North that is still in great shape)
- replaced all running
rigging
- inspected standing
rigging and replaced items that showed wear
- New Raymarine SPX 30 autopilot and associated
gear
- Rebuilt and upgraded Raymarine
Linear drive to type 2
- Factory
rebuild of
Spectra 380c
watermaker (16 GPH dual feedpump)
- All new raw and fresh
water cooling system on
Yanmar diesel
- New OEM starter, solenoid, and switch for
Yanmar diesel
- New Yanmar
heat exchanger and mixing
elbow
- Recondition Maxprop
- New prop shaft and cutlass bearing
- New
Isotherm waterheater
- New Shurflo pressure
water pump
- New
pump and
plumbing for
LaVac toilet
Should I continue the upgrade process or let the new owner pay for the upgrades with the discount I will offer on the sale price?
- Electronics?
- Electrics?
-
Interior Lights?
- Nav station panel?
- Entertainment system?
-
Cushions and Upholstery?