In 2008, I had an opportunity to purchase a 2006, never-used C-Dory for $39,000. It did not have any canvas, electronics, kicker, Wallas stove and all the nice things that make our boats so eminently satisfying. At the time, I chose instead to buy a new, 2006, CD 16 Cruiser that was two years old. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the value had held up four year's later when I sold her. So these quality boats tend to hold their value--even six year's later. Highly customized boats add more value.
Some areas of the country demand a higher price for used boats then others.
Also, when people read this web site, they will see that occassionally, as with any boat, they will encounter issues. And if they notice, people are quick to make effective repairs. In my case, I had a crack in the CD 16 cockpit floor that penetrated to the balsa core. I fixed it right away, and the buyer received a boat with no known issues.
Finally, because the cost of these boats holds up through the years, I recommend that when the new boat period for insurance replacement value expires, owners ensure that they negotiate agreed value prices and not cash value. Insurance plans usually default to cash value after the initial replacement value period has passed. Failure to have the right insurance contract could cost an owner a lot of money if he or she sustained a total loss.
Rich
