Is Any Boat

[Phil Heffernan]

An investment? Does any craft on the water appreciate over time?

What are the criteria that might make a boat more valuable 10 years from now?

Just curious...

[skuthorp]

Heh!! keep it out of the water for a start!

[JimConlin]

Have a look Here (http://www.cppyacht.com/wood.html) and judge for yourself. Don't forget that these are asking prices.

In my own experience, a cruising boat of another material appreciated 30% in 25 years. A lousy investment, but it could have been a lot worse.

[Bruce Hooke]

Once you factor in maintenance and upkeep I'd be pretty surprised if you could justify many boats as investments, but there are probably some exceptions. However, someone who had Henri Vaillancourt build him a birchbark canoe 30 years ago probably now has a canoe that is worth more than what he paid for it (assuming it's been kept in good condition).

I wonder if in some ways it isn't like the art market, where the big prices are often linked to the name of the builder or designer, and the way to turn a big profit is to get in early on the work of someone who will become famous down the road, which, of course, is very hard to predict in advance. It is probably a safer bet that boats by well known builders and designers will at least do a better job of retaining their value if purchased used.

[Phil Heffernan]

Originally posted by Bruce Hooke:

I wonder if in some ways it isn't like the art market, where the big prices are often linked to the name of the builder or designer, and the way to turn a big profit is to get in early on the work of someone who will become famous down the roadI think our man MMD might qualify...http://www.woodenboat-ubb.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=004974

There are certain boats that have an extraordinary look & quality about them, and the cost of new construction 10 years down the road will float the resale value of a well maintained older craft...My Lowell dory has appreciated, for this very reason...

[ 10-25-2005, 12:55 AM: Message edited by: Phil Heffernan ]

[ssor]

Well kept Boston Whalers often sell close to the current new boat prices.

[Ken Hutchins]

The high prices on some older boats reflect the cost of a major restoration, If someone spends lets say $100,000 on having a boat restored and soon afterwards they decide to sell it they would like to recover the money spent. The same boat prior to all the work would sell for considerably less. The other factor is some restorers will pay a high price for a junk boat of a well known builder/designer just to get the builders plate with hull number so they can attach it to another hull.

[Thorne]

In a word, "No"...

;- )

If you factor in the value of the dollar at the time of the purchase, it almost always shows a loss even for the most beautiful antique boats. As mentioned above, add in maintenance and replacement of equipment, and you'll be hard-pressed to break even.

About the only way to increase value is the same for cars and houses = "(in)famousness" -- i.e. previously owned by famous actor/actress/politican or person/event otherwise known to the general public.

Of course there are always exceptions. I'd guess that really unique and attractive designs would hold value, as might a one-design racing boat if you mostly kept it stored and/or didn't break anything.

[ 10-25-2005, 10:45 AM: Message edited by: Thorne ]

[Gary E]

I am not saying imposible, but seems that NO is the correct answer..

Example...
The LION's WHELP ws sposed to be worth 3 mil or so..

http://www.eastcoastyachtcruises.com/lions.html

It sold recently for aprox $400,000

There is another very well respected sailboat from a well respected designer that was also sold for 10 cents on the dollar...

Boats are either a commercial tool, or a hoby.

[Alan D. Hyde]

Hinckley Bermuda 40's in good condition have often sold for more than their purchase price.

HOWEVER, if you look at the cost of operation, maintenance, and upgrades over the years, I don't suppose that a profit was made by the owner.

Particularly if you factor in the value of the owner's labor.

Alan

[ahp]

Just remember that an investment that yields 7% compounded, doubles in ten years. Maintainence and insurance on a boat, even in storage will probably be far more than the taxes on dividends or capital gains.

I could name some investments that yeild over 7% with little risk but this is not the place for that.

[Steve Lansdowne]

I suppose you've heard how to become a millionaire with a boat. First you start with $2,000,000.....