Current price of Hinckleys...

Here comes a typical internet response ... you asked for A and get D

Are you in love with Hinckleys because you know them intimately or because the name and look are so appealing? Have you spent any time on or around any of them?

They are beautiful boats, that isn't an issue. The woodwork is gorgeous and they have a classic look. But, are you looking for a boat or a status symbol?

For the kind of money you are considering spending, it might be worthwhile to wait until Spring and visit Annapolis or Oxford when the local fleet is going back in the water and do some discreet dockwalking. Talk to some owners and the guys who take care of those boats.

Have you looked at other similar style boats?

Another Alternative

It appears that you're on the Left Coast, in which case you really should take a close look at the San Juans coming out of the Pacific Northwest. Every bit as good and, to some of us (ahem), a bit better in some details. And they're a whole lot closer to you, which equals less shipping costs, etc.

If you were buying tires or a production car I might agree but it looks like the name is all that matters so good luck.

Hey Marmot ... Why do you think that because a guy likes the Hinckley, that he must like it just for a status symbol and the "look"?

I think they are absolutely gorgeous ... interior and exterior. They seem to be very good quality and hold their value for years. These are all good things.

Can you point us to some other options in a 45' to 60' sailboat that have beauty interior and exterior, are built with high quality, hold their value for decades are safe and sail well?

Certainly there are sailboats that are much more expensive than a Hinckley and many that are far less.

I can say that if I had a million bucks to throw at a big sailboat, I would look at the Southern Ocean 80 "Too Elusive" in Camden ME. we raced against this boat this summer and it made us all look VERY SLOW. Half the crew was sunbathing while scorching past the rest of the boats in the field. Very cool boat.

Don't know how you've come to the conclusion that they currently hold their value any better than other builders. There is simply no data in the marketplace to establish values for Hinckleys newer than model year 2008.

Since the economy crashed, over the past three years 132 brokerage Hinckley re-sales are reported on the Sold Boats database and only two are newer than 2008 model.

There are 90 Hinckley's currently on the brokerage market of which only one is newer than 2008 model. In addition, none of the 132 brokerage sold boats was over 44' ...and only 3 boats are over 44' out of 90 brokerage listings.

The way to get the base price for a new 48'-55' Hinckley is by talking to Hinckley. They are trying to sell boats in the same difficult economy as everyone else. They just aren't selling very many new models.

Because his and your posts are full of "seems" and "gorgeous" but not much substance. Because the "look" of a Hinckley has been duplicated by several builders but no one has addressed the hardware, just the curb appeal.

My suggestion to actually spend some time looking at the real thing in area where there are lots of them and talking to the people who own and maintain them was "not a viable option." But spending a couple of million on reputation alone is viable ... that's why I think it is a status thing.

I don't really care what kind of boat anyone buys, that's personal but I think it is fair comment when all the reasons people end up hating their boat are simply ignored or not even questioned because the marketing guys got there first. With the ease of access to several nearly identical boats for hands on comparisons and close scrutiny of fit and finish, not to look closely makes me question the reasons for defending a brochure rather than a boat.

misterT123
You are asking the questions yet seem to have all the answers!
Plus when a member goes to some effort (RER) it's not good enough.
I would guess you know a LOT more about these boats than you are letting on. What is your deal?
I am sure you can handle a Hinckley salesman, a class company will employ class people that won't hassle you. Pick up the phone then let us know.

This post makes it sound like you are a salesman for Hinkley and not a buyer looking for prices on Hinkley's.

I think Hinkley's are beautiful boats. But I'm not a big fan of the jet drive. Also, the amount of labor to keep them nice if they're not kept inside or under a shed, is consideerable between the dark blue hull and brightwork.

"... sound like you are a salesman for Hinkley and not a buyer"

Good point J. It does make one wonder about the motive behind the posts.

+1
Seems like something like that!

And really when it comes down to it on boats like this, the "market value" is whatever the guy selling a particular boat is willing to accept, and whatever the rube looking to buy the status symbol is willing to pay.

Some guy sees a boat, falls in love with it, "has to have it" like yesterday, well he is going to pay a higher price. Unless maybe there is a distressed seller involved. People think their boats are worth more than they are.

Don't know what wrong facts you're referring to in my post. But since you like asking questions for which you already know the answer... maybe you can fill me in.

Since this article was written they were sold again in Jan 2011:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/10/business/10hinckley.html?hpw

FYI... I referred to only the past three years of market data because it is all that matters. The economy before October 2008 does not exist anymore. Of course anyone that's got a couple of million dollars to spend on a Hinckley would probably already know that.