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Thames 4 Blood · 09-08-2012, 07:35

Hi All!
My question is... Is there a best time of year to buy a sailing yacht? Mainly with a view to seasonal price variations?

I have always had motorbikes and the price for a used bike varies hugely from Springtime highs to mid Winter lows!

I doubt that it is as significant with yachts but does it exist?

Mark.

**skipmac** · 09-08-2012, 07:40

May depend quite a lot on where in the world you are buying. You don't mention but based on your username and word choice (motorbike is not what we call them in the colonies

) I'm guessing you might be in the UK?

If that is the case I can't help with advice for over there but over here, at least on the east coast, buy off season ie when boating activity is down. That means shop in FL in the summer time and further north in the winter.

maytrix · 09-08-2012, 07:42

Best time to buy a yacht is when you find one you want and the person is desperate to sell it

I can't speak to experience, but I'm not sure it matters as much. If you are in a seasonal area, you have to pay to store it over the winter and pay to keep it in the water in the summer. If someone is selling, best time to buy is probably before they have to make that payment - spring would seem better as summer rates seem higher than storing for the winter.

boatsail · 09-08-2012, 07:44

Where I dock, we pay for the year up front. each person started at a different time. There would be no way to assume that it would be more expensive for anyone where I am located to sell one month as opposed to the next. There is no way to tell when their annual bill is going to be due.
Buy it when you find it if you want to own it and it feels right.

sailorboy1 · 09-08-2012, 07:48

In the Northeast, buy in the fall before the owner has to store the boat for the winter. After that buy in the winter before time for spring lanuching and marina costs.

But I think the boat price effects this a lot. Someone selling a $300k boat doesnt care about the storage coats as much as a someone selling a $15k boat.

Ballenxj · 09-08-2012, 08:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by maytrix

Best time to buy a yacht is when you find one you want and the person is desperate to sell it

Sounds like good advice.

-Bruce

Vasco · 09-08-2012, 08:03

If you're buying new the best time is at boat shows when the manufacturers are involved and give good discounts.

Thames 4 Blood · 09-08-2012, 08:58

Hi. Im sorry for being so thick! I am in the UK as you guessed! And yes, we ride motorbikes over here... In the rain LOL...

I would be buying a used boat though looking at the 2yr old type of market rather than the "well used" end...

Thanks

Mark.

Cheechako · 09-08-2012, 09:09

in northern climes in the winter. The boat is sitting, the rain leaks are showing, the varnish is going to hell, it's not getting used and the moorage bills are climbing!