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Random Quote: Ignorance can be fixed, stupid is permanent.
Ok I have the "I need a bigger boat fever". I have found a Grady White 265 Express I want to buy and at great price. I think the price is due to the market and lack of buyers. I have my 2007 Fisherman I plan to sell. My question is do I put it on the market now and let it sit through the slow fall and winter? Wait until the spring and list it? Will it really matter? Is this market just that bad? Do boats that have been for sale a long time get an unfair reputation of being overpriced or having something wrong with them? Similar to having a home for sale that has not sold? Afraid to wait until mine sells and then buy the other boat in fear it will be gone.
Buy the boat you want if you can afford to own both. It can be 2 days or 2 years before you sell the old one.I have a 27' Tiara Open and a 35' . I hope the 27' will sell soon but I'm not counting on it.........
One advantage to your deal is the difference between your two boats.
The one that you are buying is an awesome boat, but in the market share that is not doing too well.
The Grady that you currently own is a popular model and an economical one too, so folks that are downsizing are looking your way. If it is priced right, it will sell.
Boats that are a popular model, in good shape, equipped properly for thier use, and that are priced right are selling.
You know your finances better than anyone here, so only you can make the proper financial decision.
Why is the seller selling ? If its a dealer see if you can work a trade in - your boat is new ! If its a private owner see if he's wanting to downsize and offer your boat. If he's looking to go bigger see if he needs a smaller boat for when its just him and one of the kids !
Get the 265 !!!! you'll love it !!!
__________________ "La Nostra Barca" - 2005 GW 265 Express -- SOLD thanks to Bob at Angler's Edge "Change of Habit" - 2005 SeaFox 16' CC - - Yes, its a SeaFox and I like it ! so be nice
I've been looking, and the market is really bad. Its gone from a generally bad market to a bad market plus nearing the end of the boating season here in the mid-Atlantic/NE. I was told by a couple dealers that nothing is selling except in the 18' range--20 and 21s aren't even selling. I've pretty much decided to keep my B31 because I don't want to sell it at a giveaway price, and get a 20 or 21 to replace my 17 Whaler. I've looked at a couple of used boats, and called about a number. Only one has sold--and it was priced great (below NADA) because the seller wanted to do want you want to do. Whatever money you think you'll save by getting a great deal on the Express, be prepared to lose alot of it in the sale of your boat. NADA was always considered on the low side--not anymore. My 2 cents.
I don't see the boat market improving for at least a couple of years. There may be a perment change in the market--especially in the higher fuel usage outboards. It all depends on the economic circumstances. But, unless you can afford the "hit" on your old boat--I would wait. Selling a 1 to 2 year old boat usually involves significant depreciation.
Chet, some very good observations and suggestions prior to this. In sum, buy now if the new deal is truly a great deal. Your current Grady will sell when other brands will not. I sold and my 228G Grady with no problem at all. I had previously purchased a McKee Craft only because I got a great deal form a hungry dealer. Good Luck!!
__________________ Bert
17' Key West & 90hp Yamaha
If people are not lining up to buy the boat you can ask the seller if they will hold the boat for a few weeks. Set it up like a contingence on a home" Right of Refusal". Write up a contract with price and a ending date. The contract allows the seller to continue to offer the boat for sale. If another buyer comes along seller gives you notice and gives you 48 hours to produce funds or you let it go. You get time to test the water for selling your boat and also gives you time to decide if its really what you want.
Passman - that is amazingly logical and a definite win-win !
Chet - you're going to need to decide what the next step is if a buyer for the 265 shows up without a buyer for your 222. The 222 and the 265 are different animals. The 265 gives you comfortable overnight and deep offshore capability. Think about if you'd really take advantage of its features --- keeping in mind that there's no teak so its definitely NOT a cruiser !
__________________ "La Nostra Barca" - 2005 GW 265 Express -- SOLD thanks to Bob at Angler's Edge "Change of Habit" - 2005 SeaFox 16' CC - - Yes, its a SeaFox and I like it ! so be nice
I was told by a couple dealers that nothing is selling except in the 18' range--20 and 21s aren't even selling....
I wouldn't believe everything the dealer tells me. Check out the Grady forum; in the last 2 weeks or so, a Grady 22 Fishermnan and a 25 Dolphin have been sold, and there may have been a few more.
If you have found the boat you really want, I'd go for it, and your boat WILL sell, but it may not be before Spring. As Aboater mentioned, a lot of guys that are downsizing from a larger boat are looking for a boat like your's. In fact, my neighbor recently bought a new Grady CC, pretty much just like it.
__________________ Capt Will, 2002 G/W 282 Sailfish, F225's
USCG Master, 50 Ton; Towing endorsement
Indian River, De
As a current buyer, I will say that people are crazy with their prices. I made many offers, none of which were below the low blue book value (i was at low book on most offers), and none of them were taken.
All but one of the boats I made offers on has been on the market for a year or more.
My boat broker finally found the boat I wanted, for the price I wanted to spend. I got it for $5K less then the other one I looked at, and it has 1/2 the hours.
Most people are just out of touch with what they think their boats are worth. Price it right, it will sell.
What year is the Grady 265? If it is fairly new like your boat, why not talk with a Grady dealer and see if you can trade in your old boat and buy a new Grady at a decent price? It would get it over with and you wouldn't have to deal with all the stuff that gets involved in selling a used boat.
On the other hand, I know it is difficult to believe but there will be other good deals on a used Grady 265 if you should happen to lose this one while trying to sell your boat.
I just went through this a few months ago. A used boat (2 years old) at a very good price but I didn't want to have two boats. The used boat sold and I was having difficulty selling my boat so I decided to look at a new one. I ended up paying a bit more but I got rid of my boat without all the tire kickers and I got a brand new version of the boat I wanted that was equipped exactly the way I wanted.
Thanks for all the replies. I have two boats in mind. Both 2001's w/ Yamaha HPDI 200's. Both have trailers. One has bottom paint one does not. The one I really want is a private sale the other is a dealer. I think both are equipped the same and both a 7.5 out 10 on condition. Tough decision. Hope to have this worked out after viewing them in person. Maybe since the market is slow they will take a contingency contract. Give me 30 days to sell mine.
I sold my 31 silverton this summer in a month for 8k over what i paid one year b4. I did have it is prime condition. the buyer looked at it though he wanted bigger then looked at others to come back. Id say have your boat spotless and list it at a fair price and see what happens, or buy the other and own 2 boats.
As long as the market improves quicker than the depreciation you will see on the boat you are selling. If you have the crystal ball that can predict this future sell prices please send me a PM and I will start buying all the sick deals out there to sell later. The used boat market is at a historical high in volume and people are trying to cover home equity loans that will never happen. They do get despirate and have to liquidate.
In this market do you buy now and sell later? 
