Best time to sell a boat? (Highest Resale Value)

[Bachelor]

In terms of highest resale value, when is it considered the most favorable time to sell a boat? (Hours/Years)

I currently have a 2004 Sea Ray 200 select, but I eventualy want a wakeboard specific boat. I purchased the boat in May of last year and as of now the boat has only 67 hours on the engine.

Thanks for your help!

[ferrarispider95]

I think you answered your own question. I put my boat for sale in May and it sold within a few days, for more than I was expecting. But, I would say, a good time to start would be now and really push in April, May and even June.

[Bachelor]

What I really want to know is at what point, in terms of hours and years, do boat owners typically sell their boats? I know with automobiles, you generally want to sell before reaching 100,000 miles or about 4 years of use. I know that by selling the boat now I will obviously get the highest resell value, but at what point will I start to see the most significant drop in resell value. Over 200 hours? Over 3 years?

[ferrarispider95]

Well you are going to lose the most by selling this year. The depreciation is the greatest the first year and it decreases year by year. I dont think hours are a huge deal, unless you put a ton of hours on the boat, condition is much more important when selling.

Another good selling point is the warranty, so if you sell inside the warranty people can feel warm and snuggly about what they bought.

Unless you got a great deal on the boat, and/or its a relatively new model or popular model, you are better off holding and using the boat for a couple more years at less depreciation.

That said, however if you decide to move into a inboard or vdrive, you will see the difference. I had Four Winns that I bought brand new for 18k, and I wouldnt trade it straight up for my current boat a 82 ski nautique.