Depreciation of a Motor Yacht coming from a sportfisher

Hey all, I have enjoyed being on this site for quite a while. There tends to be a lot of bickering, but in all, lots of good info. In an effort not to get into an argument over which type of yacht is better, I wanted to discuss depreciation values on yachts.

I have been a hardcore sportfishing fiend for most of my life. I mated for my father, while he went through his line of boats, from a betram, to cabo, to ocean yacht, to viking. He always purchased new yachts for they warranty piece of mind that gave him. Once he retired from large boat ownership back in '04, I decided it was my time to become a captain. I got my license, and started purchasing used boats, from a 1975 36' Hatteras to a 1998 42' Ricky Gillikin Express custom, to a 2005 55' Blackwell custom, to a 62' Winter custom, to a 2008 Hatteras gt 60', and now, to a 62' Viking. The viking is to me a pinnacle, and from a fishing and crusing perspective, I can't do better (Custom boats may be better tournament fishing boats, but the Viking allows better cruising and fishing).

In my 50's now, I am starting to get burnt out on hardcore fishing from a captain perspective. When fishing, I now have multiple radios to listen too, omni sonar, chart plotter, and bottom machines to watch, all while trying to watch the baits, and the crew asking when are we going to catch something. Doing all that, and being out in the elements from 4am-6pm is taking the fun out of it. I could consider hiring a captain, and just being part of the crew, but on a boat I own, I just can't do that for whatever reason.

So, I have been more and more eyeing the switch to a motor yacht, taking more of a relaxed approach to boating, and fishing with my friends on their boats, when I want a taste of the hard core action. I was at the Miami show in February, and went on many of the builders discussed here often: Princess, Galeon, Sunseeker, etc. I went on the new Riviera 58' Sport motor yacht (SMY), and became intrigued. Maybe I don't have to fully give up offshore fishing, while also having a motor yacht interior/layout, enclosed helm (so out of the elements), tender dockage, and multiple social spaces. I like that is has shafts, and the helm is spectacular. It is not a Viking, won't cruise as fast, nor take the seas like one. But offers a lot more when it comes to anchoring out, and exploring. Don't need to get into that discussion.

Anyway, with sportfishing boats, depreciation seems somewhat quantifiable. Custom boats hold their value the most. The first year or two does have some depreciation, but relatively small amounts. Out of production boats, viking is king. There are so many models out there, you can get a very good idea of what a boat is selling for based on similar year boats. With my 62', I already have a pretty good idea of what I can get for it if I try to sell after this season, or next year. I am not necessarily in a rush, and I should just enjoy my current boat for now, lol. But, I have been approached by a few folks asking if I want to sell my Viking. At the same time, a broker contacted me about a 1 year old Riviera SMY that could become available if the owner finds a larger yacht he likes. I know what a new SMY costs, and I know what the current owner of that yacht wants, which of course to me seems high.

I feel like depreciation is different for motor yachts, but I could be wrong. Maybe it's as predictable as sportfishers, but just a steeper depreciation curve. When I see asking prices for motor yachts 1, 2, or 3 years old, it appears the asking prices drop quite a bit. Certain manufacturers will hold value better than others. For this Riviera sport motor yacht, it may be even a smaller market for them, as most folks want either a true hardcore sportfisher, or a true motor yacht, not a hybrid. So, resale could be an issue. Not sure if there are many on here familiar with Riviera. There is only 1 50' SMY on the used market right now in the states, so not much real time info on these models. I am trying to get opinions on what y'all have experienced with different types of motor yachts, so if I do make a move on one of these models, or a completely different manufacturer, I can get an idea of how to look at depreciation on motor yachts.

Brokers obviously can help with this, but if I go direct to a selling broker, they may not give me true info, or opinions. I can hire a buyer's broker (which I have never used), which the positives have been discussed on here many times, but I like the flexibility of doing things on my terms. I tend to have a greater knowledge of boats/systems than most brokers, so to me, having a buyer's broker only helps with seeing what other boats actually sold for. Factors like, location, interest rates, etc, also play a role. Thanks for any input!

In the states, it seems sportfish yachts hold their value longer, regardless of economic conditions. We have seen almost all the possible economic conditions over the last 5 years, and little wiggle room on the prices. As I mentioned, it maybe just my perception that motor yacht pricing has dropped quite a bit more from say a 2022 to a 2019.

It is all supply and demand, and perhaps there are just a lot more options in the motor yacht world.

I would like to still cruise at least 25 knots, and still do some offshore fishing, with is why I like the new Riviera models. Moritimo has some nice models, but same size boat as the Rivera is 3 stateroom, instead of 4, doesn't have any bow entertainment set up, and is slower. Fleming is a nice cruiser, but doesn't have what I am looking for.

Trade offs on all boats. My boat now is the perfect fishing boat first, cruising boat second. Fantastic fit, finish, performance, etc. But, doesn't have the social platforms on the bridge, or bow, etc of motor yachts. We grab bean bags to go hang out up on the bow. Fleming, and others, are perfect cruising boats, but not much for fishing, and none of the performance. I don't need to cruise 34 knots like I can now, but need at least 25 knots. The Rivera sport motor yacht seems a perfect cruising boat first, and fishing second, while still maintaining at least some performance that I like. That's my definition of slowing down, compared to going mach 1, and fishing hard core like I do now. We all could go round and round on different boats. My concern with this thread was more to do with holding values of motor yachts, considering there are so many more options.

agree 100%

Nice boats, but not even close to the layout and features that I am looking at. Have you seen this Riviera?

I don't expect it to be anywhere close to my Viking when it comes to handling big seas, or fishing ability. But, that's the point. I won't be going hardcore anymore. I can ride with plenty of friends that have custom boats, or vikings when I want. I would pick my days when i take this boat offshore. The cruising ability of the Riviera far excedes the Viking with the way it is set up. So, I'm not really trying to compare, they serve two different purposes.

I am having a hard time saying all of that because the Viking for me is the pinnacle of hardcore fishing. But, as the captain, I am basically staring at the sonar screen all day when fishing, am out in the elements from 4am to 6pm, and constantly trying to find crew to go fishing. It has taken some of the fun out of it, so looking to slow down a bit.

I was looking at Riva, and Pershing. You are right in regards to performance. But, I still want to fish some on nice days, so not many hybrids around. The aussie's have the best in Moritimo and Riviera for what I am looking for. Reason I started this thread though, is that as a hybrid type boat, I am not sure what the resale will be like.

Engine room isn't bad, but I am concerned, and want to see access to the outside of the engines, everything else in there is easy to get to. The showers are normal to above based on other videos/photos I have seen.

Moritimo is a very nice boat, and I am looking there too. The advantages of the Riv are: 4+ staterooms (bunk room below + the enclosed bridge pulls a double bed ), 27 knot cruise (much bigger engines which are MAN common rail), bow layout (sunshade over large seating area). Have to go to 70' Moritimo to get a 4th stateroom, cruises 22 knots, no bow seating.