Not only do the more expensive boats hold their value but most important they just hold up. I have a '77 model whaler that I put a new e-tec on last year. How many other 30 year old boats would be worth doing that to. To me that is what you should be looking for is dependability.

I agree, Boston Whaler. Here's what ya need.
http://houston.craigslist.org/boa/297312256.html

Call your banker and ask how much money they will loan on your boat. He will reach for his NADA book. I agree they are not always representative of what the true value of a rig is, but that is what the folks that loan money use to determine loan value.

The problem with used boats is that the condition varies so much. You know yourself that a ten year old boat kept in the garage will look better than a two year old kept outside uncovered. That is what the NADA book cannot allow for, but they still use it.

I have seen 20 year old Allisons sell for what they did when new.

Ken

I haven't seen any boat that held it's original sales value after 20 years. It's certainly not an antique yet. Using NADA for determining value is like using NADA to buy a car. Loan Value on a used car is generally 2/3 of Book, because the Bank doesn't want to lose money. Same thing with NADA for a boat. Figure adding 1/3 of NADA as a starting point. NADA is OK if your trying to buy, but bad if you are trying to sell. The insurance company tried to use NADA against me when my old boat burned up. It was a good 1/3 less than what it would have cost to replace the boat. That's why I told them to go buy me a boat just like my old one and I would take it. Guess what? They ponied up with another 3K. I agree that a 2 year old boat that's been left outside uncovered may not look as good as a 20 year old boat that's been in the garage.
That being said, Comps are the way to go in determining the true value. The individual selling just needs to be realistic regarding condition, and the buyer needs to be realistic about the condition of the proposed boat when he/she makes an offer.

It is not unusual at all for a special order 20 year old Allison to sell for what they sold for new. Light lay up comp hulls, bass racers, etc...built by Allison regularly sell for very high prices. Of course condition is very important, but these resale prices are rather common. That being said, Boston Whalers still seem to consistantly hold their value across the board.

If you are offshore fishing, a Bertram holds its value well.

Why are you Ranger boys so narrow minded?

I have owned three Rangers over the years and they were all good boats and did well on resale, but there is life after Ranger.

I am living proof.

Any boat is only worth what some one is willing to pay for it.I have sold a lot of used boats that I thought would sell for a lot more and some that I wouldnt give a dime for have sold for more than nada value, a lot more.
Remember a few things. Good rep of a boat will only matter to those that know boats rep. Some types of boat sell better in one area than another ie. big offshore rigs sell better on the coast than they do inland. Try to buy some thing that is popular in your resale area, but with some sort of upgrades or grafics that will help to set it apart from every other boat of the same sort that others may try to sell at the same time as you. The number one rule is make it SHINE and START EASY . People will not buy a good knife if it is dull even when they can sharpen it and they will not buy a great used boat if its ugly or hard to start, at least not for the price you may ask.

aluminum boats hold their value well also

Not all of them!

if not, then the owners sure are proud of them

No boat holds there value at all. Just look at the top of the line Bass Cat, Rangers, Champion, Triton and Legends. All have top of the line models that run $50,000 plus. Put one year on it and they rarely get sold for more than $38,000 and most don't sell for that much. NADA does not mean anything if you can't find someone to pay that price. Now, are the boats worth it? That is up to you, but to justify a new boat purchase becasue of resale is waste of time. You basicly can save $12,000-$18,000 easily just by purchasing a one year old boat all day long.

What about Gambler boat's

I would like to know who bought them, I have some stuff I would like to sell them.

Why would I buy a 20 year old boat over a new boat for the same price? Does it have to do with Performance mods or something?