Want To Buy: Seasonal influx of boats for sale?

[Paxsailor]

I'm in the market now and was just wondering if there is a large seasonal variation on when boats come on the market. Is it in the fall after the season has passed and people realize they hardly (or ever) used their boat and why are they hanging on to it, or is it in the spring, or is the market steady?

I've got some appointments lined up for this weekend, but if I can expect a much larger selection coming soon, then I should probably hold off before making any offers.

I'm not looking for anything extravagant or hard to find, just your average pocket cruiser around 30 ft for cruising the Chesapeake.

Thanks.

[Outdoorrecmann]

If you see boats coming up now, it's usually because folks don't want to pay for winter storage. This is a great time to buy for sure. Plus, there's a million boats out there.

[brownoarsman]

I'm on the Chesapeake too. Generally I see a lot of boats list April/May when they splash, and September/October at season's close.

[SV Siren]

Around the Great Lakes region, many boats come up for sale post Labor Day, and then once again in the spring..

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by Outdoorrecmann

If you see boats coming up now, it's usually because folks don't want to pay for winter storage. This is a great time to buy for sure. Plus, there's a million boats out there.

Winter has various connotations often overlooked by people. To us, winter is prime day sailing season and summer is the time to sell.

[Calif.Ted]

Like a convertible car the "market" is much stronger in June then February, except Florida, probably.

[Luftmeer]

In The Chesapeake more will hit market in an attempt to hit boat show">Annapolis Boat show market...not everyone wants new & BIG! My Tartan 33 is available and I live on The Magothy. Send PM if you want details.

[mogulskibum]

Boats hit the market when big expenses come up.

In the Chesapeake, that's two times: October/November when winter land storage fees come up, and Feb/March/April when annual slip rentals are due.

During many winters and at many marinas you can safely leave your boat in the water over the winter, which means you find slightly fewer in the fall than in the spring.

Most marinas in the area have an April 1 to March 31 slip term, and renewals are generally mailed mid to late February. Sailboat listings spike shortly thereafter.

[iSaint]

Should be some available out of Texas soon.

[sailstoo]

Originally Posted by SV Siren

Around the Great Lakes region, many boats come up for sale post Labor Day, and then once again in the spring..

There's also a lot to be said for buying a freshwater (Great Lakes) boat...they're sailed only 5 - 6 months a year and stored (mostly under cover) on the hard. No salt!

[hamburking]

I suggest you look at old listings, posted in the spring. If the boat is still for sale, its going to be a bargain!

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by sailstoo

There's also a lot to be said for buying a freshwater (Great Lakes) boat...they're sailed only 5 - 6 months a year...

LOL!!!

In the water 5 months, yes, but sailing only 2 months - in a good year. Of those 2 months, mostly just weekends.

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by iSaint

Should be some available out of Texas soon.

...too soon.
:-(

[pressuredrop]

Go to the Chesapeake bay maritime museum in St Michael's annual boat auction this coming labor day weekend... You can see all the boats available on their website Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Maryland...

I was their last year, great time and great deals to be had and a great cause 👏🍻

[ranchero76]

Originally Posted by hamburking

I suggest you look at old listings, posted in the spring. If the boat is still for sale, its going to be a bargain!

I would add - "...in the spring, 2 years ago". For some boats (bigger catamarans in particular) it's very common to stay on the market for two years and more.
Back to the OP - from what I see, it heavily depends on kind of boat. And as I'm watching the market for last 1.5 years - currency exchange rate fluctuation might make much bigger impact on boat prices in YOUR currency (unless you only shopping locally) than seasonal changes.