Best time of year to buy a boat?

[tmoney]

Hello!

My wife and I will be looking to purchase a live aboard sailing cat next year! Assuming the covid situation gets handled gracefully and the US presidential election doesn't screw things up even further...

My question is if next year turns out to be a fine year to purchase.. Is there a season or time in any particular areas that are better to purchase in?

Thanks!

[Knotical]

The correct answer would be - it depends.

In northern places where boats get hauled out for winter you may find better deals towards the end of sailing season, the seller may be willing to give you a discount to save winter storage costs. This may not be the case where boats are in the water year round. More than the time of the year the price may depend on the condition of the boat and the reason the seller is trying to sell.

We bought our boat in August, seller was desperate to sell as he had bought another boat so we got a little lucky. Before we bought our boat I had put an offer on another boat but the seller and I were off by ~1.5k so I walked away, this year he listed the same boat for 1k less than my offer. He could afford to stick to his asking price as he owns a yacht club and doesn’t have to pay anything for winter storage.

It really is different from boat to boat, that’s why I said it depends. I would find the boat you really like and then work with the seller to find the best price that both of you can agree to rather than wait for that perfect “time”.

[barnakiel]

In Europe it is in the fall.


Owners want to shed wintering costs and buy their future boats before the spring too.


Spring is OK too, just in the spring the choice is much worse.



b.

[boatman61]

Europe the fall..
The Caribe June, July..

[LittleWing77]

The end of the season - whenever the end of the season for that particular geographical area might be...

This is why, tmoney, it is helpful if you fill out your profile with your location.

From your post, all we can garner is that you're in the US. That is not sufficient information to attempt an accurate answer.

LittleWing77

[Lawrence plante]

If buying when at dry dock, put in escrows for major systems until boat is launched and professionally tested. Engine, hull, plumbing, propane or whatever is questionable. That way, buy in winter up north with confidence won't get cheated. Remember buyer beware. And brokers are only making a buck .....

[Taazhinii]

Hello,

as an experienced realtor I can give this comment:

the demand for boats and boats throughout the year is traditionally above average, and if you allocate a special time of the year for shopping, then it can be October or March. this is the very off-season when people are traditionally sluggish and the intensity of purchases drops. on average, this is only 1-3% of the total annual amount, but even such savings in relation to the amount of purchases can be significant

[gonesail]

in the US .. the end of the summer. but then again you might miss out on the best boats by waiting. good to know what you want and focus on that .. so you know what to do when you find it

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by tmoney

Hello!

. Is there a season or time in any particular areas that are better to purchase in?

Thanks!

No.



Generalities are always wrong.

[Lawrence plante]

Yes winter a good time while in dry dock but never believe broker or surveyor. Generality? They lie to make sale always. Take things apart, look, take pics, bring friends and flashlights, dress warmly, take all day. Put money in escrow until spring for everything to see it water. Don't buy it otherwise. You invariably will be cheated if you don't.