Prices of used C-Dorys

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NancyandBud

New member
Nancy and I have owned 17 different boats in our 49 years of marriage, including 5 Seawards and a Compac 23 PH. Just to let you know we are not novices in either selling or buying boats. Sold our last Seaward 25 on Wednesday of last week and are currently boatless.

But I have to say, the prices of used C-Dorys vary more widely and any other boat model that we have looked into.

With all boats, condition, hours, equipment obviously matter as to actual selling price, but it appears to me that some C-Dory sellers have wildly high prices.

I've looked at the current boats for sale here and the archives here and all other on-line ads.

So other than the PNW, where these boats demand a high premium, what other factors are at work here?

Thanks in advance for your comments, observations, opinions and anything else you have to offer on this subject.
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High premium here in AK as well. Frankly I haven't noticed that much variation except for occasional outliers (talking to you used early 2000's $60k CD-22). Age matters to a point though I find that once older than 2000 doesn't fluctuate that much. Usually in 25k-30k range. Engine hours for me is primary given a solid hull. At $12k for a new 90hp motor this should hugely affect price. For example I bought my CD-22 in excellent condition with outdated electronis and original Johnson 2 stroke (still running great) for $18k in 2011. Price of new Honda 90 put it in true market value range. Cosmetics, electronics, windlasses, trim tabs, etc may improve sellability but really shouldn't affect price more than $2k either way IMO.
 
Its a product of supply and demand of a quality product. There weren't that many made, and production peaked before the housing crisis of 2008. Theyre also currently being produced in small numbers, so there's more buyers than sellers.

I don't think its unique to c-dory, just low production high quality built boats. Look at the price of a used Rosborough 243. A 15 year old Rosborough outfitted decently is around 60k. I've been in the market for a used Parker for awhile too and its the same deal.
 
High quality costs money. When you look at the windows, electrics and build you'll see why the price, not many production boats are vacuum bagged and then hull/deck bonded in molds. It all counts for rugged quality
Here in Canada a new 22 will run $100k Cdn or about $75k US before electronics and extras
My 2011 would go on the market and sell for $50-55k US minimum you can get bigger, cheaper boats of less quality.
Enjoy the quest
George
 
Yes, they hold the value. I have tracked my first 22--it sold for 25 new--and had 3 owners since I owned it, and 3 owners since. Each time it sold for about $25,000 the same as new. Along the way, it has been upgraded by each owner. The one before the current owner put a new $13,000 engine on. The one before that put on new electronics.

The boat I currently own, I would probably put on the market for the $42,000 range, in the current market--It has new top of the line Garmin electronics, plus a number of updates. Basically the new boats are about the same as the older boats. (after 1987, when there was a minor design change)

The 25's also vary. For example the 6 25 Cruise ships built in 1995 to 1998 sell for a bit less than the newer boats after 2002. The 25's after 2004 have some upgrades from the 2002 thru late 2003 boats which push the prices up.
Trailer vs no trailer? New engines, low engine hours, good maintenance, and gel coat--camper back, Then some folks like vinyl liners--like the Venture 26 have--and these are gong to be more expensive. I don't have the exact price, but I suspect you will be North of $100,000 for a new 25 with any degree of outfitting. Even this is a bargain, in todays boats world.

Also with 50 years of marriage, and owning a large number of boats, you are like I am--you could buy a new 25 for $12,000, or a 35 footer ready to cruise the world for $25,000. Those days are long gone.

Good hunting--there are good boats out there. You have to look. Every once in a while there are extra-ordinary buys--even if they are more expensive. I saw one last year--the price was at the upper limits, but the boat was like new--well documented maintenance, and low engine hours--kept inside all of its life.
 
Hi Bud,

I think we have visited about this, so if it is a "re-run", my apologies. As others have said, the C-Dory line is unique. I know you are a trailer-sailor kinda guy, so I'll give you a sailing comparison: the Corsair trimarans. Quality made, not a huge production run. When we sold ours, after owning it for 6 years, it brought 96% of what I paid for it.

The C-Dory hulls really don't depreciate - the engine(s) and electronics do. Most owners take good care of these boats, so there isn't much issue with deterioration. The hull itself is solid and relatively simple.

Your discovery of the value of these boats used is one we see here frequently. Banks have no idea of the value - you can't use BUC or NADA to determine the value of a C-Dory; those publications generally figure a straight-line depreciation, which works for most boats. Not these.

It isn't owners thinking the boats are worth more than the market value (as with motorcycles, small sailboats, etc - yes, I know my buddy, Bud). On the flip side, if you buy one, enjoy the heck out of it for years, then decide to sell it, you will see the value when you get a much bigger portion of your money back.

Visit with Tim and Mary when they get back from their cruise north - another trailersailor's opinion of how these boats are for cruising. Trailer, launch, and retrieve easier than any of your Seawards. Go for the 25 and get 6' 10" cabin height, and a light, airy cabin. These are not anything like the Com-Pac PH.

I'm writing as a friend - these are worth the price of admission.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
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