Guesses on Markets Returning to “Normal”

I think supply is a major factor when you consider Sportfish prices in that 40 to 55 foot space. Between 2010 and 2014 very few were built as a consequence of the financial crisis and impact on the marine industry. With limited product added to the market during those years along with how expensive comparable new boats have gotten I don't see a major price decline for well maintained used Sportys in that size. Combined with low interest rates and high stock market prices and many boats are seeing full priced offers on top of elevated prices from 2 yes ago.

I am looking to move from a 40 to 48 Sportfish myself. It is a tough market to be a buyer.

Well there's a case to be made that with the way insurance companies are acting there should be a glut pretty soon anywhere south of Surf City.......

Inflation is a part of it. New yacht prices have increased so dramatically that used prices are either holding their own or increasing. The other issue driving it, is there is no new inventory, every decent manufacturer is a 6-24 month wait, and with the pandemic people realized, they don't want to wait. I had an owner that bought a used 2020 60' Hatteras MY last year, because he didn't want to wait, when he preferred to buy new. The seller bought a used 75' Hatteras MY for the same reason. Demand is a part of it. I think a good amount of "new" boat owners popped up with the pandemic. And quite honestly, a lot of Americans discovered with the pandemic, that there are A LOT of really nice places to vacation within hours of their homes. Their friends have also bought boats, so now it's more of a all take your boats to the same spot and have a nice get together/bbq etc. Look at hotel prices in the Florida Keys. What was $150 a night on weekdays this time of the year, they now start at $300 a night on up during the week and not even a holiday week. Meanwhile hotels other places in Florida (waterfront) are still starting at $109+ weekdays. I think the demand will slow some, as these new boat owners start figuring out what the real costs are once the equipment is a few years old, things are breaking, and there's no warranty left. But I think boating overall has gained a lot of new owners, which is good because a lot of the yacht owners were aging out of yachting.

What does returning to normal mean? 40' to 50' Convertible SF's being mass produced by Hatteras and Viking and Bertram and Ocean etc? That's not going to happen so what was normal will never be normal again.

Demand will always have it's ups and downs but the supply for this category of boat will continue to be a problem with no solution on the horizon. It's been over a decade with no real numbers in new boat production. They just aren't being produced anymore.

Brokerage inventory of 40' to 50' Convertibles will continue to age except for a tiny trickle of newer boats at a number that's not enough to make an overall impact.

So it's going to be picking through old boats to try and find a good one. Perhaps a comparison could be made to what has happened in general aviation over the past 30 to 40 years.

Now if you want to talk about 40' to 50' million dollar and even multi million dollar day boat sportfishers with outboard power that's another story.

What are you looking for besides just a 50’ SF? Year range, wants and needs? Anything particular you have your heart set on?

Did you mean to say you don't want a cored bottom? All the boats that you referenced have cored hull sides.

You can change MAN oil filters with one person, but you just need to know how to do it.

Post is good, but getting around the front of the motors to get to the outbound sides can be tough if you're bigger. Post didn't core the bottom

A 48' Cabo would also be a good choice.

I haven’t looked at the market in quite some time. However, I’m wondering if you can get everything you are looking for in the $300k range? Seems like you would have to go an older boat and have a harder time finding 4 strokes then. Are you seeing boats that meet your criteria in your budget range?

I am actively looking for a 48 to 52 Sportfish with 3 staterooms. Specifically a 48 Cabo that is clean. Aside from a major recession I am expecting $625k to $725k depending on location and condition.

To get to sub 500k on a top tier production boat you are early 2000's with non common rail diesels and in need of some tlc. Just my 2 cents.

Skip the 50c Hatt with 3412's unless you check out the er thoroughly. It will not be fun if you do your own maintenance. Had one, great for fishing, cruising, and fast but very crowed er. I would only buy another 50c Hatt with 3406's 0r c18's. If speed is not an issue the 3406 's would be fine. The early 2000 models were very well built.

I would say in the 40 to 48 space that boat prices from 4 yrs ago to today are up 10% when looking at actual selling prices. While these Sportys have aged a bit and have seen addtl hours they have also received updated equipment and constant maintenance. If both have been absent then I doubt after survey that boat will see the price asked and actual closing price will be much lower. Only way to see that is access to broker data on YW.

The 50 Hatt er would be difficult for your size to access with 3412's, not an issue if you hire out the maintenance. The port side s/r on the Hatt is small. We used it for storage, the washer drier was in there too, good for kids.