Value of Used Spectra Watermaker

[Gary H]

Hi all,

I've finished cruising for a while and will be putting my Sabre 42 on the market soon. I am debating whether to remove the watermaker before selling the boat. It is a Spectra Ventura 150 in great working condition installed just over two years ago. I have a new spare membrane as well.

How much is it worth? I haven't seen many used units available. Is there much of a market for used Spectras?

[senormechanico]

Imho, the reason you don't see many used ones is, people keep them.
It's the same with used Bernina sewing machines.

[Stu Jackson]

Had a friend same situation as you. He got 85% of the purchase price when he removed and sold it. Good luck.

[Paul L]

It should be easy to sell for a few thousand. It will most likely add zero value to the buyer of your boat, unless they plan on long distance cruising. Even in this case they may like your boat a little more than some other, but still not pay any higher.

[Kenomac]

Remove it and sell separate from the boat for best return.

[cfarrar]

Satisfied VT-150 owner, here. No doubt someone is willing to pay good money for your unit, but I suspect that Stu's friend did well to get 85% of retail. This is because most folks willing to spring for a VT-150 would probably spend the extra several hundred quid for a new one.

The spare membrane should help your case.

Colin Farrar
svStrider.org

[Capt.Don]

I'm looking for a good Ventura 150 -- sent you a private message.
Thanks,
Don

[epiic]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Had a friend same situation as you. He got 85% of the purchase price when he removed and sold it. Good luck.

Buying used to save 15% is insane. lol

[Matt Johnson]

I'd guess around $2500-3,000 is the value of the 150 used. Throw it on eBay.... you may be surprised. Unfortunately, very little comparable data.


Matt

[liveaboard60]

Originally Posted by Paul L

It should be easy to sell for a few thousand. It will most likely add zero value to the buyer of your boat, unless they plan on long distance cruising. Even in this case they may like your boat a little more than some other, but still not pay any higher.

Hey Paul, while it may not add much $$$ value to the boat it does make the boat more desirable and thus has the potential of selling faster.

I have a list of desirable items of which a water maker is one. Unless the boat has one, or is priced appropriately below those which do have one, it isn't even considered.

Good luck to the OP in selling your boat.

flk k

[Matt Johnson]

Originally Posted by liveaboard60

Hey Paul, while it may not add much $$$ value to the boat it does make the boat more desirable and thus has the potential of selling faster.

I have a list of desirable items of which a water maker is one. Unless the boat has one, or is priced appropriately below those which do have one, it isn't even considered.

Good luck to the OP in selling your boat.

flk k

But, it's important to consider who is most likely going to purchase the boat. Being a Sabre, the odds are that it will be used more as a weekend getaway than a long distance cruiser.

Matt

[liveaboard60]

Originally Posted by funjohnson

But, it's important to consider who is most likely going to purchase the boat. Being a Sabre, the odds are that it will be used more as a weekend getaway than a long distance cruiser.

Matt

Yes true enough, but then you can always tell the prospective buyer you were planning on removing the water maker if it isn't important to them.. As I said, why limit the bucket from which potential buyers come.. flk k

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by liveaboard60

Hey Paul, while it may not add much $$$ value to the boat it does make the boat more desirable and thus has the potential of selling faster.

I have a list of desirable items of which a water maker is one. Unless the boat has one, or is priced appropriately below those which do have one, it isn't even considered.

Good luck to the OP in selling your boat.

flk k

I'd agree with you if the boat was most likely to be sold to a long distance cruiser. This boat is more likely to be sold to a local. I took the watermaker off my J-37 when I sold it. I took the dingy and outboard also, as the eventual buyer wanted to club race.

[Perew]

I'm planning on living aboard, and would love a water maker. This due to the low quality of tap water (chlorine, pharmaceuticals, fluoride etc). We filter our water for health reasons, and want the same quality water on the boat. Little to do with long distance sailing.

[Matt Johnson]

Originally Posted by Perew

I'm planning on living aboard, and would love a water maker. This due to the low quality of tap water (chlorine, pharmaceuticals, fluoride etc). We filter our water for health reasons, and want the same quality water on the boat. Little to do with long distance sailing.

If by living aboard, you're talking any of the places where people live on their boat and not actively move them, you shouldn't run the watermaker. Far more chemicals and other nasties in those marina/harbors water than from the tap.

Matt