25' Boat Prices

J

journey on

New member
Well, boat prices have changed since I got into boating. As has the cost of every other item I use. My first boat was a 22' sailboat on a trailer for $4K. Included an anchor and 1 day of sailing lessons.

I don't know how much C-Dory 25's cost these days, but I bet one could tow one out of the dealers for $75 K, including motor. If I'm wrong, someone will let me know.

Now lets compare that price and boat.

I was on Shelter Island, San Diego this week and noticed that Farallone Yacht Sales had a couple of Ranger Tugs displayed, a 21 and a 25. Beautiful boats, and I stopped to look. The 25, with red hull and every conceivable extra, listed for $175,000, not including tax, which would bring it to $190, 000 (US.) Base price was about 135K. The engine was a Cummins with 120 HP (or thereabouts,) and I didn't note air conditioning. And it was on a bunk bunk trailer; I prefer rollers.

Now I read thru Panbo that the new Nordic Tug has a base price of $187,500. No electronics, no trailer.


If we're trying to compare size, note that the C-25 is listed as 25.4'. Also boat prices do scale as the cube of the length, since a boat is a shell covering volume.

Enjoy your C-Dory, whatever the length.

Boris
 
We recently took a long, hard look at the 26' Trophy...a brand new '07 alaskan bulkhead version with full electronics, blue hull, etc. We negotiated it to 48k and then decided to stand pat with what we have.

The Nordic you mentioned is waaay overpriced. I asked the salesperson why the price difference between it and the Ranger 25, which has a far superior layout. His reply was the superior workmanship of the Nordic Tug. I don't buy that. I think Ranger makes a fine boat. I wouldn't pay an extra 30-40k for a shinier apple.

-Greg
 
I was cruising through Craig's list this morning and saw a 2006 Arima 17 Ranger, with an eTec 90, camperback and some other stuff for $19k. In 2005 I sold my 1990 for around $15k. Looks like someone is desperate, doesn't know what they have, it's been beat in 2 years, or it's a scam. Or maybe I don't know what the market is for Arimas...
 
I think the Nordic Tug people put the 26 back into production because the shift downward to smaller boats with the fuel prices along with the economic downturn, and because the value of the used models of that boat were so relatively high that they felt that the demand was there for the re-issue of that boat when their larger boats might be moving more slowly off the dealership floors.

It's a nice boat, well built, but on several different levels, and into compartments. I do like the double side doors to the wheelhouse, port and starboard.

However, I noticed my shoulders were about 2 inches too wide for the doorways, and it was difficult to pass in and out of the cabin, something that quite a few others would find uncomfortable. $200K+ or so for a boat you have to squeeze into and out of ?

If I was going to put the squeeze on my pocketbook for a dreamboat, I wouldn't expect to have to squeeze into the boat itself!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
ANd that 25 Cruiser's a loaded 2007. New 2009 with few options would probably be around $85,000, and you could spend over $90K. The Venture 26 at Seattle Boat Show was $109.995 w/ 175 Suzuki and trailer.

I don't know about Ranger Tug, but Nordic originally discontinued the 26 because the cost to build it was getting close to the cost of the 32. Are there difference in construction? I'm sure there are.

Arima has introduced a stripped out version of their boats to get the price down to appeal to more buyers, which is an interesting strategy. But what we saw at the Seattle Show wasn't price objection, just fear of the future, so I don't think lower price (with less features) is the answer.

ALso at the show was a blow out 29 Trophy with twin 250 Verados for $99,995. That's $50,000 worth of engines. I was not surprised to see that boat sell, as it was almost $40,000 off. Compare this to a 27 Skagit Orca (also Fluid Built) at something like $170K. That Trophy is a tempting buy. Sure it's not the quality of the Orca, and at $30K difference it might be a tough decision. At $70K? The Trophy looks decent.
 
My first boat over 25 feet was an Owen's Sea Skiff one year old for $5,000 in 1961. The next year, I purchased a Columbia 29 (fully rigged for racing for $10,000--a boat which took me many times down the Baja Coast).

I suspect the estimate on the Mercs is a bit high--Closer to $15,000 each, plus rigging.

Hang onto your hats--with the inflation expected, boat prices will keep on going up. Plus many people will not have the disposiable income to spend on them.
 
Yes, over the years there has been considerable inflation. However, due to the economic "sea change" of the past year, most economists (and the numbers) show we are now in a period of profound deflation. This might precede more super high inflation (due to gov't indebtedness) but we aren't there yet. Too bad the "uh oh" thread was pulled, since current economic changes seriously do affect our boat buying and using decisions.
 
Boat prices seem to be all over the place. There is a nice 2007 CD 25 at Y Landing marina with a Suzuki 200, wallace, wash down pump etc for $67k. Likewise engine prices seem variable we payed $10 k for a new Suzuki 200 (yes from an authorized dealer and no not Eds) and I saw V 6 Suzukis new in crate on the hull truth for $9500.
Probably pays to shop around since in the current environment its a buyers market.
Eric
 
I agree it is buyers market
Three Rivers has a
2007 Cape Cruiser 26' Marinaut
$94,975
Honda BF-200 , MagicTilt Welded Tandem Axle Aluminum
Anchor Windlass, Electric Windshield Wipers, 30 Gal. Freshwater, Pressure Water System, Hot Water Heater, Shower, Marine Head, Diesel Stove/Heater, Refrige, Airconditioning, RayMarine Color Radar/GPS/Sounder, VHF Radio, AM/FM/CD Stereo, Compass, Snap-In Carpet, Snap-On Window Curtains, 2-55 Gallon Fuel Tanks w/Selector, Dual Batteries w/Selector, Aerated Baitwell, 4 SS Flush Mount Rodholders, 2 Swim Platforms w/Ladders, SS Prop, Bimini Top. Financing and Delivery Available
http://www.threeriversmarineinc.com/Pag ... ed0763358d

and a couple of Defiance Boats. A 26 is $69k with twin 150 Hp Hondas
 
The Ranger Tug has much more teak and complicated cabinetry work, and has a much larger volume that the comperable CD 25C or 26V. It also has diesel power.

Hard to do apples to apples comparisons with more "niche" boat lines.

I'll agree my extimate on the 250 Verados is a bit high- but I can't beleive you can get them for less than $20k rigged- since that's the cost of a new Yamaha, which is also fly by wire. So engines are worth low $40's- still a heck of a buy on that Trophy.

There will certainly be some huge price fluctuations as dealers unload stuff, either to pay bills or go out of business. This will be hard on dealers trying to look long term and remain profitable and stay in business.

Part of the reason for the blow out Bayliner prices is the loss of Olympic Boat Center, and Brunswick having to take the boats back. There is huge presssure to move these boats and free up money, but if Brunswick prices them too low they decimate the local market for their other lines.

The next year or so will be interesting times.
 
Dene":3glbz55d said:
The Nordic you mentioned is waaay overpriced. I asked the salesperson why the price difference between it and the Ranger 25, which has a far superior layout. His reply was the superior workmanship of the Nordic Tug. I don't buy that. I think Ranger makes a fine boat. I wouldn't pay an extra 30-40k for a shinier apple.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I looked at & walked thru both at the Seattle show. The Nordic's layout was taken up by too many levels and too many steps. The Ranger was all on one level, much more comfortable and user freindly and for significanlty less money. The Ranger actually felt bigger.

Although they're both out of my league, price wise. :lol:
 
Very bad move by Nordic to have the 26 next to Ranger.

I can see why they thought they should bring it back but it is not going to fly well at that price.

Did anyone else ask about that wonderful "bottomless pit" of storage on the port side, forward? Even hanging over the edge I could not anywhere near reach bottom and as we all know that is where the "thingy" that you need right now is always hiding.

I liked both boats but the Ranger layout wins hands down. Obviously they did their homework on the comments from the 25.

If I was going Nordic I would look first at the next model(s) up in a used boat. There are several of those available.

Merv
 
Yeah, I think I agree with both Boris and Merv. The CD25 will cruise anywhere the tugs will, and the cost difference will buy a LOT of gas. Maybe a diesel engine would nice, I don't know, but the outboards on the CD25s are pretty darn good. In the tugs, the NT26 (which some folks continue to say is "better built" than a Ranger, whatever that means) is absolutely wrong on the inside with up-down-over, makes it really feel cramped. Perhaps "better built" equates to heavier, wider and more glass or something? Which of course makes trailering problematic. The Ranger 25 build quality is excellent, the layout is superior to the NT26, and it is truly trailerable, all for a lower price than the NT26. But the price difference between either of these boats and the CD25, especially the 2005 SBS boat show of $69K, which included Wallas, windlass, fridge and trailer, sure makes it look like the better deal, with 20-20 hindsight. The CD25 has plenty of room and amenities for comfortable cruising for two people and a certain dog!
 
I think most of y'all know my feelings about the CD-25... it is a very versatile boat that is big enough without being too much. It fits our style of cruising very nicely. Having said that, the Ranger Tug 25 is a beautiful execution of what can be done in a similar length. More finished, more storage (I consider that berth under the dinette as storage), heavier, and a completely different hull shape. For the cost difference between the two, you could not only do a lot of cruising, you could have an RV (and really have some "stretching out" room). :wink:

When we ordered our CD-25, Ranger had the floor layout for the 25 at the SBS, but not a completed boat. If they had had a finished boat, who knows? That is one very handsome boat.

People don't buy what they need, they buy what they want. For some, that "want" will be a Ranger or a Nordic tug. I'm happy that my wants fit my "needs" at this time. 8)

Best wishes,
Jim
 
I'll try to get a more direct approach to the topic for a minute, in terms of the economic situation.

A year or two ago, I thought that prices for used C-Dorys were more stable than that of gold, platinum, Swiss Francs, or New Brand Name Miracle Drugs.

How times have changed. Bargains and occasionally a super bargain!

And it could get better or worse, depending on whether you're a buyer or a seller.

Some who bought boats with loans a few years ago could even wind up upside down, owing more than the boat is worth on the market, a new concept to C-Dory owners, but not at all to the industry as a whole.

How far will it go? When will the recovery begin?

No one knows for sure, but if I were a buyer, I'd be inclined to wait for a real deal to come along, having my money in hand in cash, ready to act fast on a first class opportunity to get in on a bottom end price on a boat that could last the rest of my lifetime.

It would be hard to discipline myself to hold out for the best deal possible, which, of course, is always a guessing game, but in the meantime, I'd busy myself with researching the boat features, options, previous prices and trends, and studying the situation like a hawk, or, more accurately, a hired gun planning for a strike.

Sorry for the predatory tone, but tight times make for outstanding opportunities, and big purchases deserve the full employment of one's brains, and simultaneous control of those pesky emotions!

Joe. :disgust
 
I agree with Joe - I'm sitting here dreaming, holding money in hand waiting on the "deal" on a 25'.

I have house, and RV now that I'm upside-down on, and although I want a C-Dory, in these economic times I don't want to start out in the hole.
 
I'll agree with Joe as well-

Although I don't think that C-Dory owners or buyers are as prone to some of the forces that affect the Bayliner / Glastron / Whatever products.

The C-Dory is more of a niche boat, and its buyers more savvy, usually with smaller loans versus leveraging themselves to buy more boat.

And as dealers get behind the eight ball, there will be deals. But the factory has reduced output, so supply and demand will level out and keep the value on these more stable than high volume builders.

I mean, there were over 50 2008 18' Bayliners available new in the Seattle market area before the boat show started, so that will definitely push prices down. There may only be a handful of 2008 C-Dories on the west coast.

The other thing we saw lat our dealership last fall was an influx of people asking about distress sale boats. They assumed that boaters would be dumping product on the market and these people were prepared to snap up boats at fifty cents on the dollar. So far, boat owners are holding onto their boats, waiting for a better economy to sell in. With trailerable boats, it is often easy to do this as storage costs are low.

So there may indeed be some "buys" out there. My advice is that if this is the time you plan to acquire a boat, especially new, if a good value comes along, get it. Could you save more money in three months time? Maybe- or someone else may buy that "great value" boat and you'll have missed out on not just that boat, but the enjoyment of using it for three months time.

My 2 cents worth.
 
Back
Top