what can i expect to get for my c-dory? really.

J

joewall

New member
hi folks! for those of you who dont know me, i was one of the original c-dogs/c-brats back in the day. i moved away from c-dory land in 2004. i've had my 2001 22 cruiser for sale for a few months now and have had few offers that i considered low and passed on. its easy to see what people are asking for but as for what they finally settle on, well, not so much. it would be useful to me and i suspect others in the group to know what the actual sale price of these beauties turns out to be. if people would be willing to reveal the actual sale price, boat model and year, engine type and hours and any other pertinent info, that would be very helpful to those of us who are trying to determine the fair market value of our babies.

if preferable, a direct email would be great, as well.

thanks! joe
 
I don't think that you are too far off on the price you are asking, assuming that the boat is in good shape. Maybe down a few thousand??.

Things I would put in your Ad: a number of detailed photos. Exact description of the electronics and each feature of the boat. Although the addition of camper canvas, windlass, Wallas stoves, new electronics etc--bring the price up a little, they are items which buyers are looking for.

If the boat is not pristine, then have a good detail job before taking the photos.

One of the issues, is location. If you are willing to deliver the boat that also can make a difference.

Boats in the mid 1990's with repower can go in the near $30,000, or more if new electronics and the engine is newer. The 2006 to 2007 boats sell in the 30,000 to $39,000 range--give or take. Location and gear are often the deciding factors, as well as condition.
 
They say there is an ass for every seat. Most people would buy in the spring so they avoid the winter storage thing, shrink wrapping winterizing etc. Then they would be able to use the boat immediately for the spring and summer. Maybe on the west coast people boat year round. The people you might be selling to might not be from the west coast. I have only been on this site from 2007 and I have never seen this many boats on the for sale list on the C-Brat home page. What you can actually get for your boat might depend on how long you want to hold on to it. There are three 2001 22's in the for sale column pretty much in the same price range. Pictures details sometimes can make the difference. Give Marc from Wefing's in Florida a call he takes a lot of boats on consignment he should be able to dial in a number for you pretty quick. 850 670 8100
Good Luck with getting to the happiest day of a boater's life.
D.D.
 
I was seriously shopping for a 22 in winter/spring of 2012 (started in February; winter did not deter me).

While I can't speak to your exact boat/price (I'm not sure which one it is), I can tell you what put me off some boats and put me "on" to others:

1) What can I see in - and find out from - the ad?
By far the biggest factor. How much effort was the seller willing to put in to help me to see what he/she is selling?

It was amazing to me how many ads were just one or two short sentences. Maybe a couple of distant photos. It was as if that person had never bought anything used, and so couldn't anticipate what a buyer would want to know.... I found it mystifying.

2) Would the seller be an "ally" to me?
By this I mean, if I had a question, would the seller clarify for me? Take a photo? Get me the model number of the chartplotter? Maybe hold the boat for a day while I was on my way to look at it (presuming serious buyer, perhaps a deposit, etc.). I found it interesting how many people advertised their boats in an Internet/national venue, but were unprepared to get images/data to someone online (granted, everyone is not 100% computer savvy; my main thing was whether someone was willing to try).

3) Did the seller spend more time trying to convince me how great C-Dory's are and how much they are worth (I already want one; and I have an idea of the value), or answering my questions about that specific boat?

#1 was by far the biggest thing that put me off or on a boat. A good, comprehensive ad, with good photos, tells me nearly all I need to know, and with no further work from "you" (unless or until I contact you because I am really interested in buying your boat).

#2 is really nice when you can get it; not necessary, but nice.

#3 seemed to be inversely proportional to #1

One last note: I prefer it if people disclose flaws (that I'm going to find anyway when I come to see the boat). To me it falls under "I don't necessarily mind problems, but I don't like surprises." I expect flaws, but just like to know what they are (presuming the seller does) so that I can decide if they are ones I'm comfortable taking on. I'm also more likely to believe the good points about the boat if the bad ones aren't glossed over. ("but that's a five-minute fix," etc.)

Again, I have not seen your ad. But if it's a good, complete ad (like in my #1), with good exposure -- and with a popular boat like a C-Dory -- then if it has not sold in a reasonable amount of time I would tend to think it might do better with a lower price. If it's not an ad like in #1, then improvement in the ad would probably be my next step if it were me.
 
His ad is in the for sale section a 2001 22' Cruiser I think listed for 28,500. The Craig's list link does not seem to work and no pictures that I could see. Nice description though. Seems like a nice piece. I probably would have left out the part of all the places the boat has been and added some pic's.
D.D.
 
Joe has two ads (easy to find which is his, since his screen name appears). It is the boat in Napa area, 2001, one price (earlier) at $29,500 and the second at $28,500.
 
If the boat is in good shape and it probably is, the thing wouldn't last a week at around 30 thousand in Anchorage in the spring. I think it will sell at the price you have it if it is powered by a 4 stroke, has some extras as others mentioned, and a good trailer if you stay patient.
 
Sorry, I probably should have looked at the ad before commenting. I just went and had a look.

This doesn't address price specifically, but I probably would have passed the ad by (even though I was looking hard for a 22 and willing to travel extensively to get one) because there are no photos, and there is detail lacking on some of the other items. i.e. models of electronics, type of trailer (single or tandem), etc. So for me it would be less about the price than about the ad/information.

Not saying everyone is like me, but since you asked I figured I'd put in my two cents.
 
I started thinking about selling my 2006 Duffy Electric about 2 years ago. Original MSRP was around $32,000. Thought somewhere around 15 would be fair. Since the boat is "unusual" being all electric I thought it might be tough to sell. Kept lowering and lowering the price until I got an offer from someone in Fort Lauderdale for $5,000. I could have said no, and I would still have the boat. Now the buyer is hopefully enjoying the boat. The point is that just like our houses in a down market something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. My 16 foot Gheenoe with a 10 HP Mercury, a minkota trolling moter and 2 optima batteries has been at Marc's since May. That boat is now down to $3,900. Thought for sure that boat would have sold before the Duffy did. Good luck with your sale. It does seem that it just a matter of time. Eventually the right buyer comes along.
 
I have sold a lot of boats, bikes, cars and campers. I have had people drive halfway across the country to buy boats. Pictures and lots of them have been really important along with lengthy descriptions. I have also used video and believe video is the best way to show-case something for sale. You can post a video on Youtube for free and link to the video from your ad. If you don't know how to make and post video, just find a teenager and give them a few buck to do it for you. Here is the video I did for our 16 that we sold a few years ago, just a simple walk around http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0bLpkUY4kg.

If you need help posting pictures, just pm me and I will be happy to help.

Good luck,
Kevin
 
Hi Joe. I periodically peruse the for sale list on this site. I finally sold our Sea Ray, and we will be ready to buy in January. So maybe we will meet if your boat is still available.

However, towards helping you in the nearer term, here is my experience and advice, worth every penny, regarding your listings. I remember reading your listing several times in the past month or so:

1. Having 2 listings for the same boat was a little confusing so cancel the older one. On the remaining listing have complete information on boat equipment, and a link to lots of pictures from every aspect.

2. I concluded your boat was likely already sold. That's because the listing was getting old, with no recent posts, and the craigslist link was dead. You could occasionally post the boat is still for sale, and refresh the craigslist link.

Something beyond our control is the very large number of listings recently, with many of them seemingly dormant. It's not clear if there really are that many boats on the market, or if many successful sellers are neglecting to cancel their listings (??)
 
In the last 2 summers I tried to sell my Sea Ray using EBay, Craigslist, and local internet boards, with a link to comprehensive photos and feature list. Nary a nibble, with a couple SF Bay Area potential buyers reluctant to travel here. I was discouraged.

In mid August I hung a For Sale sign on the the boat, which was in its Noyo Harbor berth. The sign had only a price and a phone number. The next day a passer-by noticed the sign, called me, and we closed the sale the following day. He said it was the prettiest boat he had ever seen (go figure!)

So hang a sign if not already done (or otherwise diversify your advertising); you never know what might happen!
 
I just recently bought a CD22 after looking for one for months. These boats are very rare down here on the Gulf Coast and I think they are going to sell well once they get more exposure, because they are so versatile.

The drawback for me was that I just did not want to drive to Port Clinton or Jersey or Anchorage to buy one. When several came available, almost at the same time, in Florida, I made the drive and bought one.

I think a delivery or meet half way offer would go a long way to a sale.
 
I bought my C Dory sight unseen on the first call I made to the owner. I could do that because he had many pictures and a complete description online. When I got to the boat, it was exactly as he had described it and has served me well. The price was probably a couple thousand below what he could have gotten but, as a result, he sold it in a couple days and had more offers waiting behind mine.

Taking this lesson to heart, I posted my Hunter sailboat online with a ton of pictures, a complete description and an asking price a couple thousand below the others I saw listed. Got a call within a week and while it took awhile to close the deal (the interested party had to sell his boat), I did sell it after that first contact and a couple of test sails. The Hunter, I believe, is harder to sell than a C Dory simply because it is not as distinctive and there are many near substitutes.

Another way to market a C Dory is to get it out there! I have never, and I mean NEVER, launched my boat without someone coming over to comment on how pretty it is. I've had at least a dozen people walk over in the storage yard or at rest stops or gas stations. I'm not looking to sell but if I was, I'd drive it all over with a for sale sign on it. I think these boats advertise themselves!
 
I posted my Zodiac RIB for sale on CL. There were a few scammers trying to get it. After a couple of weeks someone drove 900 miles to get it and paid what I wanted for it.
 
tparrent

I agree with your last line about the positive comments from people every time the boat is out. Pricing something below what other people are asking is also great advice.
 
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