2022 Boating Season - help for first time boat buyers

[PrinceBoating25]

I grew up boating on a Rinker. My husband and I have been entertaining a boat for 4 years now. We have a 7, 5 and 2 year old. We finally got to the point with the marina on purchasing a 2015 216 Rinker - 95 hours .. great condition for $40k. As we’ve been waiting for the weather to warm up to test drive the boat we’ve seen all of the gas prices rising as well as forecasted price. Between forecast of economy and gas prices, we are nervous we are going to be overpaying for the boat. Maybe this isn’t our year and we should wait until next Summer when all of the covid buyers start to sell with high gas prices. My question is - is this a good price for the boat? Seems to be on boat valuation sites but I can’t tell if those sites are all based off a strong demand for boats? And does the boating community anticipate a significant shift in used boat sales?

 

[racerone]

Maybe rent one for a weekend and see it goes.

 

[cptbill]

A boat or for that matter anything is only worth what you get for it. The problem is a lot of people are very upside down on the boat they purchased, the prices got out of hand during the covid thing now. I agree with racerone, rent one that size first to see if if fits your needs. don't rush in and buy the first thing that looks pretty

 

[tpenfield]

Fuel is only a portion of what it costs to own/operate/maintain a boat. So, an increase in fuel prices is not a deal breaker in most cases. If it were, then you probably cannot afford the boat anyway.

It is hard to say if you are over paying. Supply & demand over the Spring buying season will tell the story. The price is inline with NADA base values and there are a couple listed for that price. NADA does not adjust their estimated values all that much based on market conditions. It is mostly a depreciation curve. You could check Bucvalue.com as a second reference and check other listings for same/similar boats.

Are you under agreement with the boat? . . . or just thinking about buying it?

 

[dingbat]

Prices are not going to go down until production returns to pre-pandemic levels.

Given current situation with labor and parts shortages I don’t see that happening anytime too soon, if at all.

Case in point…the onboard computer(s) we use in our equipment went from a 2-4 week delivery at $490 each to 40+ weeks and $1,190 each. But thats not the story….

We placed an order for 50 last July. Received 10 in December. Have 3 left in stock. The promised April delivery of another 10 units now pushed back until September.
Ordered a chip set the other day with a 2023 delivery date.

 

[Scott06]

I grew up boating on a Rinker. My husband and I have been entertaining a boat for 4 years now. We have a 7, 5 and 2 year old. We finally got to the point with the marina on purchasing a 2015 216 Rinker - 95 hours .. great condition for $40k. As we’ve been waiting for the weather to warm up to test drive the boat we’ve seen all of the gas prices rising as well as forecasted price. Between forecast of economy and gas prices, we are nervous we are going to be overpaying for the boat. Maybe this isn’t our year and we should wait until next Summer when all of the covid buyers start to sell with high gas prices. My question is - is this a good price for the boat? Seems to be on boat valuation sites but I can’t tell if those sites are all based off a strong demand for boats? And does the boating community anticipate a significant shift in used boat sales?

For what its worth it seems on par with NADA value for that boat, which should be fairly current.

that size boat, not sure what your use will be but my 21 ft bowrider , typical lake use, about 45 hrs a year, i spend a out $600-700 annually on fuel. Yes it will be more this year for sure but compared to other family vacation type options it seems relatively cheap.

 

[briangcc]

Demand for boats right now is still nutso. I don't see that going down anytime soon for any of the above mentioned reasons - lack of labor, supplies, chips, etc. Last year I was hearing that Q1 this year things would be back to normal - it ain't....I'd be shocked if things got somewhat back to normal by Q4. I've heard rumblings this is the new normal OR that Q1 2023 may see a return to normal - depends on who you want to believe.

It really depends on how you plan on using your boat as to how much fuel you're going to go through. With kids that young, I doubt you'll be spending hours on end pulling tubes around the lake. Probably more time cruising, anchored for jumping from the boat if I was to guess. **My boys are 9, 7 and 4.

In a typical season I go through maybe 2-3 tanks of gas as most time is spent drifting, motor off, fishing with the boys. 30 gallon tank and I fill up on land to save the $0.50/gallon surcharge filling up on the water.

I'll echo a few of the others here....if the cost of a fill up is too much, you're probably looking at the wrong outdoor activity...especially if you're new-to-you boat is a I/O where things like bellows, u-joints are going to be a part of your new vocabulary.

 

[Grub54891]

Regardless of what the marina says about the boat, a survey should be done. Saying that, we got one shipped in last fall that passed a survey in another state. 25' The boat looked great, till I saw the gimble rings were loose, requiring replacement, along with broken trim ram, smashed spark arrester and bilge pump not operational. Thats before it even came off the truck. All the parts are here, now to find out what else is broken. The couple who bought it thought they were getting a good boat. Now it's going to be expensive, and they haven't even got on the water yet. Oh yeah, the water heater was leaking also.

 

[wooky30014]

I'll echo a few of the others here....if the cost of a fill up is too much, you're probably looking at the wrong outdoor activity...especially if you're new-to-you boat is a I/O where things like bellows, u-joints are going to be a part of your new vocabulary.

This is a true fact on most any hobby or activity that anyone gets involved in / with. While I am concerned with the higher gas prices it won't stop me from what I like to do, especially with my new water toy

Don't know how to do multi-quotes / replies here but with what Grub54891 said

I bought my new water toy Riff Raft back in January and while she IS a solid boat (VERY surprising and amazing with her being a 1961 model) with an engine that runs good I decided to give her a good round of maintenance and adjustments so we wouldn't have any issues this coming boating season. (look up "New Boat For Christmas") No survey was done, didn't think one was needed. And let me say right here I am not disappointed in any way or form with my new cruiser. The carbs, all 3, were overhauled, new fuel and water pumps done. She came with a new gas tank and some fuel line, I replaced all rubber hoses on the engine to be sure. I have replaced ALL the wiring, some of it was original cloth wrapped wiring, new switches, gauges, circuit breakers instead of fuses. I didn't like the way the shift / throttle lever was working so I fitted my ancient Morse MV-1 in place with two of my known good cables (no play in these now) that I spent an entire day oiling with Lucas ATF. NOW I can finish up with the throttle and shifter adjustments and we'll be ready for the initial splash. Oh, and the trailer while having new lights and wheels has rust bleeding through, I have some Eastwood Rust Encapsulation paint on the way. Again I'm not complaining about the time and $$$ I've spent plus what I paid for her but I know that she'll be right and all we will have to do now will be enjoying her. I just made a good boat even better