• The yacht market is mirroring the Real Estate market in that prices are falling rapidly. The differnce between the two is that foreign buyers are buying boats (mostly 2004 - 2007 models), loading them on ships and taking them to other continents. Sales are STRONG on boats priced TO the market. Again-let me remind you boat owners that think you are "Sellers"-some "trueisms" of the boat biz:  that usually your FIRST offer is always your best offer and If you are "upside down" (owe the bank more than the market value of the boat) you MUST be in a position to pay off the bank or you're going to own your boat forever. If you borrowed 100% of the value of the boat or traded in another boat and put that old mortgage on top of the new boat mortgage, you MUST pony up the dough at some point to get out from under both boats. Too many owners "forgot" they didn't put 20% down (minimum) or kept stacking mortgages from smaller boats when they bought their current boat and are foolishly thinking they could use their boats for years and years and now -many years later will sell them for what they paid when they bought them, therefore, having had the free use of a yacht all this time. That's NOT going to happen.  Once you add up your carrying costs (payments, insurance, dockage, maintenance) of boat ownership, you might wisely deduce it's cheaper to just go ahead and dig into your pockets now and pay the difference yourself between what is being offered (if you're lucky) and what you owe the bank- IF you actually want to sell. I'm noticing MANY banks ARE negotiating the loan payoffs, as it's cheaper for them than having to repossess the vessels and go after the seller for the difference-afterwards.

The MARKET IS THE MARKET IS THE MARKET.  Call me or email me and I'll gladly TELL you what boats are really selling for and it's NOWHERE near what one see's ASKING on Yachtworld!  So many delusional brokers and owners there- that I dropped Yachtworld just NOT to be associated with them. Many of the yachts that are selling- the owners had to dig into their pockets $60k - $100k to actually SELL their boats to MARKET value- which isn't what the sellers and brokers wish for it to be- it's what BUYERS will pay. If "x" amount of boats are selling for "x" prices- then that's the market for that boat.  No much how you wish or pray, nothing is going to change this fact. Surveyors and Lenders all have access to these comparison sales and aren't going to allow a buyer to pay more than the current market price. Machines depreciate.

If you have a 4788 you are thinking about selling, please don't waste your time with brokers who don't specialize in these boats. I sell more 4788's anywhere East of the Rocky Mountains than any other Yacht Broker. The Lion's share end up in Canada or "down under" to New Zealand and Australia. The weak US dollar has allowed these buyers to finally buy at an avantage! Having both "bayliner Pilothouse.com AND Meridian Pilothouse.com" naturally sends internet buyers (are there any other kind in the past YEARS?- Evidence shows not) to my sites which are dedicated to these fine vessels.

 LOCATION OF YOUR YACHT IS NOT IMPORTANT- I have NO problem about hopping on a plane to go inspect a nice yacht. My buyers travel or will buy sight unseen if I've personally inspected the vessel and give it my "thumbs up" approval and post the photos of what I've seen. I only list nice yachts and my buyers know this. I PERSONALLY come inspect, appraise and will make recommendations to help sell your yacht.