Used boat market

[Shorelunch]

Please no offers to sell your boat in here. I will look in hsolist.com with Boats and Motors for sale when I'm ready to purchase.

I've been looking for a used boat for about a month. I'm considering

2005-2007 with a budget $20-25k

* Lund 1800 Pro-V IFS

* Alumacraft 185 Tournament Sport

* Ranger 1850 Reata/1860 Angler

* Skeeter WX1850/1880

I have seen one Alumacraft 185 TS and one Reata - but the Reata is listed for $30k. The Alumacraft fits my budget and is a 2007 model. I haven't seen much - actually virtually nothing in the upper-Midwest on the other models.

I am considering purchasing the Alumacraft - but is it too early in the season? What will the used boat market be like in a month? Two months? Four months? Help!

[marine_man]

Given the Economy as of late and the time of year I think you might see a slight upswing in the number of used boats available (as guys get their boats out of storage or make their trade with the dealer), but then see things slow down till closer to fall.

marine_man

[MuskieJunkie]

It's still early in the season, in the next few weeks you'll see a lot more come online.

The fishing boat market peaks around May. It will be insane how many used boats hits the market and how fast they move. I've called on $15k boats 1/2 day after the ad was listed and they sold already. After July 4th the general boat market drops off big time, the fishing boat market probabably stays stronger a little longer than that. In September/October you'll see the fire sales, some at 20 or 25% discounts off the peak value.

There are probaby a lot of guys out there right now that know they're going to sell but are waiting until late April to advertise them.

I've been casually looking at used Reata 1850s for a year or so. If you look hard and are patient you can find a really nice one in your price range, but you could look all summer and not find one until September.

Hope this helps.