How do you put a value on a used boat

[beeman]

I have been looking for a while now and in most cases notice that the asking price of most halfway decent boats is significantly above what the Nada boat value gives. For example one I saw wanted 5000 but the Nada value for the boat was under 2000 (includes motor and trailer) Although this particular boat appeared to be in excellant condition I cannot see the 3000 price difference in just that alone. Just looking for some good pointers on valueing a boat.
I am only considering Aluminum boats at least 14'

[The Quadfather]

For me putting a value on something has mostly to do with the market place where the item is being sold. If the NADA value is "X" this just a random global value suggested for the item, car, boat, etc.
I'm just saying that if you want to know what something is "Worth" or the value of.... take a long look over a few months of watching local sales, Craiglslist, ( Local ) ebay sales, or any local sales. The price sold is the market value of the item... not what a NADA rating says.
That being said, I don't doubt that people mark up their items in the sale. Everybody wants as much as they can get, and honestly as a seller of stuff, you can never just put down your honest out the door price. It seems that everybody wants to offer you a little less, to feel like they got a deal. Just my 2 cents.

[BentRod]

For me putting a value on something has mostly to do with the market place where the item is being sold. If the NADA value is "X" this just a random global value suggested for the item, car, boat, etc.
I'm just saying that if you want to know what something is "Worth" or the value of.... take a long look over a few months of watching local sales, Craiglslist, ( Local ) ebay sales, or any local sales. The price sold is the market value of the item... not what a NADA rating says.
That being said, I don't doubt that people mark up their items in the sale. Everybody wants as much as they can get, and honestly as a seller of stuff, you can never just put down your honest out the door price. It seems that everybody wants to offer you a little less, to feel like they got a deal. Just my 2 cents.

Yeah, what he said.

Simple supply and demand. Monetarily, an item is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it at any given time. Doesn't matter what it is, how much it originally cost, or how much $ has been put into it.

I haven't bought a boat, but have gone through the process of buying a used RV. Same pricing issue with those as you are experiencing with boats. My best advice is to educate yourself on the average prices in the area you're buying in, know what you want and where you're willing to compromise, be patient, and, when you think you are ready to recognize a "deal", then be patient and keep your eyes open. Took my wife and I the better part of a year to find the RV we wanted for the price we wanted to pay. Ended up coming from a local honest seller who was asking just below blue book. I was the first caller and, after inspection, I knew it was a good deal (for our area) based on my research, so didn't hesitate. Another buyer who showed up after me actually tried to buy it out from under me by offering the owner more than asking price. I flat out told the seller that if that is what he wanted to do, then I wouldn't fault him, but, like I said, he was an honest guy and told the other guy "No, I already agreed to sell it to someone else." Kind of shocked me really.
Anyhow, time of year plays a roll too. Lots of people seem to put their boats/RVs on the market in the spring time when people are looking to get out and enjoy the outdoors.

[Mike Carey]

I've often thought fall would be a good time to buy a boat, as the seller would want to get rid of it and not have to store it over the winter, vrs. spring when the buyer is a bit more inclined to pay a higher price because they want to have it to use for the season. But, as noted, lot's of factors go into buying/selling (anything). The more you shop and get used to prices the better off you'll be. Part of the process is definitely having your choices narrowed down to a few brands/types so you can be that much more knowledgably when the deal does appear.

[hewesfisher]

Price guides are just that - guides. NADA, KBB, and others simply provide potential buyers and sellers a reference from which to start. IMO, when it come to boats/motors/trailers, NADA is not even a good reference from which to start. Like Quad said, your best source will be comparing comparable boat packages where you live. Shop a lot and determine what value you are getting for your money.

[oneshot]

like others have said. the more time you spend online looking at ads the better feel you get for proper prices.. seasons and locations have effects on pricing I think.. I spent 3 months looking at ads before I finally bought my 1st boat. which i think i got a very fair price on for what I knew at the time and what i wanted.

[racfish]

If youre not in a super rush ,go to the "Boat Show" I had a chance to see and actually get in the alums I was looking for. I went with the Smokercraft Tracer. Its a 16 foot with auto bilge and built in gas tank. I like the boat alot. At the Boat Show I looked at alot. Every so often I look at CL too. I want to see what my boat is selling for. Between CL and Boat Country I get a pretty good idea on what I can get for it.

[Chucksrage]

Many other posters on this thread have given some really good advice as usual. Find the boat that fits your needs see what the dealers sell it for and what you find it online for sale for.

When I bought my boat I determined what I wanted first, then started looking at what options are available and what value they add to the boat and if those are options I really needed to have. Then determine your budget to buy with. I started looking for a boat a year before I finally purchased one and actually bought a boat before my planned date of having one simply because I came across a deal I couldn't pass up. I watched craigslist the entire time and checked boats almost every morning. I knew what I wanted, what I was willing to spend and what options I MUST have on the boat that I couldn't add on my own.


Patience and being persistent on looking is your best friend.

[beeman]

I finally went out and dropped the cash on a boat. It was not 100% what I wanted but it was pretty damn close.
Pretty much within budget. Just need to take it in and get the engine serviced to be on the safe side

[drysuperfly52]

i live in seattle but was searching for eastern wa, southern wa, and eastern idaho. in the smaller areas in the "woods" boats seem to be much more prevalent and thusly a better brice. i drove 4 hours to get my boat, a 14ft alumaweld and a trailer for $600. that boat and trailer here in seattle would easily be over $1k

[racfish]

I miss my Duro.Mine was vandalized and pretty much destroyed. I ended up with a Smokercraft.

[Bodofish]

Beerman! Long time! Good to see you're still kicking!!!!

OOOPS! just woke up. Can't read with out my glasses... Sorry Beeman, guess I wanted to see Beerman......