Used boat market

Lkin · 05-15-2025, 10:43 AM

How is the used boat market this year? I have a 21 Bennington 23RSB-ESP with a Merc 200 XL DTS engine. I am thinking of consigning. I dont have a price yet, as I am still researching. I havent seen any chatter on the forums about the used market.

Larry (Moultonboro)

Flotnjr · 05-17-2025, 08:38 PM

Weaker than it has been from what I see. Since Covid pricing has calmed down a bit, there seems to be more inventory, which equals lower prices. A good brand- high power tri toon (sounds like what you have) would still bring money- just not close to what it was three years ago. It's more price it to sell v. price it for what you want to get for it. Your best bet would be to bring it to the dealer you bought it from and put it on consignment. It's worth paying their commission to not deal with the internet.

codeman671 · 05-17-2025, 10:38 PM

It’s about the same as the housing market. Sellers still think the market is the same as 2 year ago. Price it right and it will sell. Facebook marketplace is where I would advertise instead of consignment.

tis · 05-18-2025, 05:18 AM

I spoke with a broker last year and he said the market was very slow. He had 17 on consignment and not any interest at all. Maybe it changed a bit this year, IDK.

thinkxingu · 05-18-2025, 05:37 AM

It seems like all toy sales are slowing down.

I know not exactly similar, but the place we bought our new golf cart from kept their "spring pricing" longer than usual because they still needed to clear out inventory.

Also, I had a guy buy my old golf cart within twenty minutes of posting on Marketplace. I'd priced it based on watching other carts sit for a while, but this guy bought it to resell. He posted it for $800 more than I sold it to him for, dropped it to $500 over, but it's still sitting after almost a month. He'll be lucky to break even now that the season is starting.

Please let us know what you do with yours, as I've got a '16 pontoon we've been thinking about trading up.

Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

TiltonBB · 05-18-2025, 06:50 AM

If you look for a boat similar to the one you want to sell it should give you an idea of the market pricing for that boat. Over many years I have bought several used boats online, always freshwater only boats. I search using Boat Trader and put in the Chicago zip code (60606) and set the search radius at 500 miles. This search will cover the Great Lakes and Lake of the Qzarks in Missouri. The vast majority of the used boats that come up on your search will be boats that have only been in freshwater. You still need to check, as some of them may have been transported to a lake after salt water use.

One large dealer I know in Maine says their new boat sales are great. They are setting up and delivering 25 new boats a week and if you buy one today it will be late June before they can get it to you. They also said they had great sales this year at the Boston Boat Show. A lot of those sales involve trade ins but he didn't mention those sales.

I actually just found what I was looking for in Missouri and I'm taking a truck to pick it up next week. There were about 8 similar boats that came up in the search but the price and low hours (75) on this boat seemed to be a great deal. To me, it is worth the effort to find what you are looking for, at a price that you think is a good deal, and transport it to the lake.

SAMIAM · 05-18-2025, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

If you look for a boat similar to the one you want to sell it should give you an idea of the market pricing for that boat. Over many years I have bought several used boats online, always freshwater only boats. I search using Boat Trader and put in the Chicago zip code (60606) and set the search radius at 500 miles. This search will cover the Great Lakes and Lake of the Qzarks in Missouri. The vast majority of the used boats that come up on your search will be boats that have only been in freshwater. You still need to check, as some of them may have been transported to a lake after salt water use.

One large dealer I know in Maine says their new boat sales are great. They are setting up and delivering 25 new boats a week and if you buy one today it will be late June before they can get it to you. They also said they had great sales this year at the Boston Boat Show. A lot of those sales involve trade ins but he didn't mention those sales.

I actually just found what I was looking for in Missouri and I'm taking a truck to pick it up next week. There were about 8 similar boats that came up in the search but the price and low hours (75) on this boat seemed to be a great deal. To me, it is worth the effort to find what you are looking for, at a price that you think is a good deal, and transport it to the lake.

I’m thinking since it’s you,it must be an interesting boat…….don’t tease us……tell us about it : )

Biggd · 05-18-2025, 07:51 AM

It's all about supply and demand, more supply and less demand right now.

TiltonBB · 05-18-2025, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

I’m thinking since it’s you,it must be an interesting boat…….don’t tease us……tell us about it : )

Well Bob.............Since you asked: It is at least interesting to me! It is a 2023 Sea Ray 280 SLX. It was more interesting because it has the 430 HP 8.1 and only 75 hours. Most of the used boats on Lake of the Ozarks have been kept on a lift undercover so the finish has not faded much. The drive to get there is about 22 hours, a lot of which is boring, but I have read about that lake for years and always wanted to see it. I may stay a couple of days to look around, even thinking of putting the boat in the water when I get there.

8gv · 05-18-2025, 09:09 AM

Sharp boat!

Will you be setting a new MPG record bringing her home?

Descant · 05-18-2025, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

...One large dealer I know in Maine says their new boat sales are great. They are setting up and delivering 25 new boats a week and if you buy one today it will be late June before they can get it to you. They also said they had great sales this year at the Boston Boat Show. A lot of those sales involve trade ins but he didn't mention those sales....

What kind of boats is he selling? What's being traded in?

TiltonBB · 05-18-2025, 12:50 PM

I sent you a PM. They have a real variety of boats, although they sell over 100 pontoon boats a year they also have other types of boats.

SAMIAM · 05-19-2025, 07:36 AM

Very nice boat Dennis.28’ is perfect for a lake boat

ishoot308 · 05-19-2025, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Well Bob.............Since you asked: It is at least interesting to me! It is a 2023 Sea Ray 280 SLX. It was more interesting because it has the 430 HP 8.1 and only 75 hours. Most of the used boats on Lake of the Ozarks have been kept on a lift undercover so the finish has not faded much. The drive to get there is about 22 hours, a lot of which is boring, but I have read about that lake for years and always wanted to see it. I may stay a couple of days to look around, even thinking of putting the boat in the water when I get there.

That’s a great looking boat Tilton! Congrats!!

Dan

BroadHopper · 05-20-2025, 06:37 AM

Greetings all.

A number of members here express buying my boat decade(s) ago. It is finally up for sale. I can't find the messages or posts to get a hold of you.

I have a 1988 Formula 223 LS. A boat house boat since 2010. Originally bought in Maryland. It was on the Potomac River since new. I'm not sure if it has been in salt water, but it was stored for 7 years prior to my ownership.
Since then, the gas tank was flushed, new rubber hoses, and carb rebuild.

In 2021 I had the 454 rebuilt .030 over by Peterson because of excessive oil consumption. There was 1200 hours on the clock. Boat and motor maintained by Lakeport Landing. At the same time, I had the back seat rebuilt and reupholstered. Otherwise, normal wear and tear on the rest of the boat. It is 1400 hours on the clock.

PM me if interested.

codeman671 · 05-20-2025, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

Greetings all.

A number of members here express buying my boat decade(s) ago. It is finally up for sale. I can't find the messages or posts to get a hold of you.

Decade(s) ago?

I have a feeling they may have moved on....

jazzman · 06-21-2025, 02:38 PM

I can't seem to give away a 2014 SeaRay Sundeck 260 with a 0 hour rebuilt motor in it. And the rebuild was from a 35 hour engine (not mine). It even has the sport arch which was a very $$$ item. A few tire kickers, but nobody serious.

LoveLakeLife · 06-21-2025, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzman

I can't seem to give away a 2014 SeaRay Sundeck 260 with a 0 hour rebuilt motor in it. And the rebuild was from a 35 hour engine (not mine). It even has the sport arch which was a very $$$ item. A few tire kickers, but nobody serious.

Throw up some pictures and pricing on here, you never know!

Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

DesertDweller · 06-21-2025, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codeman671

It’s about the same as the housing market. Sellers still think the market is the same as 2 year ago. Price it right and it will sell. Facebook marketplace is where I would advertise instead of consignment.

That's very well said and I echo the comments on the housing market as well. I sold my boat last year on Craigslist within a week of posting and had two back up offers. I priced it lower than I probably had to but did not feel like going back on forth on pricing.

Biggd · 06-21-2025, 07:57 PM

Things are slowing down. Some don't want to believe it, but it is a reality.

TheTimeTraveler · 06-21-2025, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzman

I can't seem to give away a 2014 SeaRay Sundeck 260 with a 0 hour rebuilt motor in it. And the rebuild was from a 35 hour engine (not mine). It even has the sport arch which was a very $$$ item. A few tire kickers, but nobody serious.

Don't be greedy with your asking price. Price it to move now.

The buying interest will go down sharply once we hit August (unless you take it down to Florida).

TiltonBB · 06-21-2025, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8gv

Sharp boat!

Will you be setting a new MPG record bringing her home?

Maybe, but not in a good way! However, diesel was only $2.98 in Missouri. But, $3.95 on the NY Thruway.

tis · 06-22-2025, 05:18 AM

Irwin told us yesterday that big boats are selling this spring whereas last spring they weren't selling at all.

jazzman · 06-22-2025, 11:46 PM

I thought we were priced really well on a 2014 SeaRay Sundeck 260 with a sports arch and a zero hour rebuilt engine (with only 35 hours on that engine until it was rebuilt). Priced at 44.5K Seems right inline with others. We've had a few lookers but no buyers. We have no trailer which seems to kill off some buyers.

TiltonBB · 06-23-2025, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzman

I thought we were priced really well on a 2014 SeaRay Sundeck 260 with a sports arch and a zero hour rebuilt engine (with only 35 hours on that engine until it was rebuilt). Priced at 44.5K Seems right inline with others. We've had a few lookers but no buyers. We have no trailer which seems to kill off some buyers.

You should be able to get a trailer or at least tell potential buyers the price of one if that would help your sale. Call the Trailer Outlet in Tilton and get a price.

I have bought a few trailers there and he always had the best prices. A tandem galvanized trailer would probably be about $5,400, but that is just a guess.

https://traileroutlet.net/

TiltonBB · 07-12-2025, 06:51 AM

This article in the LDS says that boat sales volumes are back to "normal".

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...8b8b73e72.html

Sunseeker Jimmy · 07-13-2025, 09:03 PM

I have been a boat broker for 21 years and maybe that makes me a bad guy or whatever. But if you purchased a boat during or a year or maybe two prior to Covid, you’re expectations are probably 25-30% to high. Deal after deal I am watching people price their boats too high and until they swallow the pill and take the hit, they just don’t sell. Reality is reality and when price meets market, your boat will sell.

Biggd · 07-14-2025, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunseeker Jimmy

I have been a boat broker for 21 years and maybe that makes me a bad guy or whatever. But if you purchased a boat during or a year or maybe two prior to Covid, you’re expectations are probably 25-30% to high. Deal after deal I am watching people price their boats too high and until they swallow the pill and take the hit, they just don’t sell. Reality is reality and when price meets market, your boat will sell.

Just like real estate, it's only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it.
You don't really find out what it's worth until it sells.

MeredithMan · 07-14-2025, 09:23 AM

I suspect that there are a lot of folks who jumped in to buy a new boat during "The 'Vid" and with new boats being so darn expensive, took out a long-term, (e.g., 10 years or more), loan. Now, 4 years into the note, perhaps their life situation has changed or they are tired of making the payments and are now saying, "what the heck did I do? I need to dump this thing"

Juiced06GTO · 07-20-2025, 10:12 PM

I've been looking at potentially replacing my 06 24' Four Winns Funship, but I just can't get behind the pricing on some of the used boats out there. In 2017 I was in the $20kish range for a boat that was 11 years old with 435hrs on it. To find something similar now you are looking at $40k+ and jumping up to something in the 26' range which is what I am looking for it seems the pricing is starting at $50-60K.

I think I am going to continue on with my 650hr funship and just keep maintaining it for the foreseeable future.

Lkin · 07-21-2025, 07:56 AM

You would think there would be a lot of boats pushing down prices this year- i am not seeing them on the lake!

Saturday i dont think i saw more than three boats at any point in the day from my view in moultonboro bay by Ganzy. Last year it would be 10-12 boats, 4-5 jetskis, several tubers and at least one playing really loud music!

Now its sometimes just the loud music!

05-15-2025, 10:43 AM	#1
Lkin Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 39 Thanks: 10 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Used boat market How is the used boat market this year? I have a 21 Bennington 23RSB-ESP with a Merc 200 XL DTS engine. I am thinking of consigning. I dont have a price yet, as I am still researching. I havent seen any chatter on the forums about the used market. Larry (Moultonboro)

05-20-2025, 06:37 AM	#15
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,589 Thanks: 3,230 Thanked 1,107 Times in 797 Posts	Lake boat. Greetings all. A number of members here express buying my boat decade(s) ago. It is finally up for sale. I can't find the messages or posts to get a hold of you. I have a 1988 Formula 223 LS. A boat house boat since 2010. Originally bought in Maryland. It was on the Potomac River since new. I'm not sure if it has been in salt water, but it was stored for 7 years prior to my ownership. Since then, the gas tank was flushed, new rubber hoses, and carb rebuild. In 2021 I had the 454 rebuilt .030 over by Peterson because of excessive oil consumption. There was 1200 hours on the clock. Boat and motor maintained by Lakeport Landing. At the same time, I had the back seat rebuilt and reupholstered. Otherwise, normal wear and tear on the rest of the boat. It is 1400 hours on the clock. PM me if interested. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

07-12-2025, 06:51 AM	#26
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 3,025 Thanks: 705 Thanked 2,208 Times in 940 Posts	Lake Boat Sales Market This article in the LDS says that boat sales volumes are back to "normal". https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...8b8b73e72.html

05-17-2025, 08:38 PM	#2
Flotnjr Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 63 Thanks: 3 Thanked 14 Times in 11 Posts	Weaker than it has been from what I see. Since Covid pricing has calmed down a bit, there seems to be more inventory, which equals lower prices. A good brand- high power tri toon (sounds like what you have) would still bring money- just not close to what it was three years ago. It's more price it to sell v. price it for what you want to get for it. Your best bet would be to bring it to the dealer you bought it from and put it on consignment. It's worth paying their commission to not deal with the internet.

The Following User Says Thank You to Flotnjr For This Useful Post:
barsully (06-23-2025)

05-17-2025, 10:38 PM	#3
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,509 Thanks: 221 Thanked 818 Times in 491 Posts	It’s about the same as the housing market. Sellers still think the market is the same as 2 year ago. Price it right and it will sell. Facebook marketplace is where I would advertise instead of consignment.

The Following User Says Thank You to codeman671 For This Useful Post:
Biggd (05-18-2025)

05-18-2025, 05:18 AM	#4
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,767 Thanks: 754 Thanked 1,462 Times in 1,018 Posts	I spoke with a broker last year and he said the market was very slow. He had 17 on consignment and not any interest at all. Maybe it changed a bit this year, IDK.

05-18-2025, 05:37 AM	#5
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,318 Thanks: 1,174 Thanked 2,096 Times in 1,297 Posts	It seems like all toy sales are slowing down. I know not exactly similar, but the place we bought our new golf cart from kept their "spring pricing" longer than usual because they still needed to clear out inventory. Also, I had a guy buy my old golf cart within twenty minutes of posting on Marketplace. I'd priced it based on watching other carts sit for a while, but this guy bought it to resell. He posted it for $800 more than I sold it to him for, dropped it to $500 over, but it's still sitting after almost a month. He'll be lucky to break even now that the season is starting. Please let us know what you do with yours, as I've got a '16 pontoon we've been thinking about trading up. Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

05-18-2025, 06:50 AM	#6
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 3,025 Thanks: 705 Thanked 2,208 Times in 940 Posts	If you look for a boat similar to the one you want to sell it should give you an idea of the market pricing for that boat. Over many years I have bought several used boats online, always freshwater only boats. I search using Boat Trader and put in the Chicago zip code (60606) and set the search radius at 500 miles. This search will cover the Great Lakes and Lake of the Qzarks in Missouri. The vast majority of the used boats that come up on your search will be boats that have only been in freshwater. You still need to check, as some of them may have been transported to a lake after salt water use. One large dealer I know in Maine says their new boat sales are great. They are setting up and delivering 25 new boats a week and if you buy one today it will be late June before they can get it to you. They also said they had great sales this year at the Boston Boat Show. A lot of those sales involve trade ins but he didn't mention those sales. I actually just found what I was looking for in Missouri and I'm taking a truck to pick it up next week. There were about 8 similar boats that came up in the search but the price and low hours (75) on this boat seemed to be a great deal. To me, it is worth the effort to find what you are looking for, at a price that you think is a good deal, and transport it to the lake.

The Following User Says Thank You to TiltonBB For This Useful Post:
garysanfran (05-18-2025)

05-18-2025, 07:51 AM	#8
Biggd Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Waltham Ma./Meredith NH Posts: 4,182 Thanks: 2,258 Thanked 1,209 Times in 772 Posts	It's all about supply and demand, more supply and less demand right now.

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ishoot308 (05-19-2025)

05-18-2025, 09:09 AM	#10
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,114 Thanks: 64 Thanked 749 Times in 483 Posts	Sharp boat! Will you be setting a new MPG record bringing her home?

05-18-2025, 12:50 PM	#12
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 3,025 Thanks: 705 Thanked 2,208 Times in 940 Posts	I sent you a PM. They have a real variety of boats, although they sell over 100 pontoon boats a year they also have other types of boats.

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Descant (05-18-2025)

05-19-2025, 07:36 AM	#13
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,911 Thanks: 337 Thanked 1,687 Times in 593 Posts	Very nice boat Dennis.28’ is perfect for a lake boat

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06-21-2025, 02:38 PM	#17
jazzman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mont Vernon NH & Big Barndoor Island Posts: 323 Thanks: 4 Thanked 184 Times in 62 Posts	I can't seem to give away a 2014 SeaRay Sundeck 260 with a 0 hour rebuilt motor in it. And the rebuild was from a 35 hour engine (not mine). It even has the sport arch which was a very $$$ item. A few tire kickers, but nobody serious.

06-21-2025, 07:57 PM	#20
Biggd Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Waltham Ma./Meredith NH Posts: 4,182 Thanks: 2,258 Thanked 1,209 Times in 772 Posts	Things are slowing down. Some don't want to believe it, but it is a reality.

06-22-2025, 05:18 AM	#23
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,767 Thanks: 754 Thanked 1,462 Times in 1,018 Posts	Irwin told us yesterday that big boats are selling this spring whereas last spring they weren't selling at all.

06-22-2025, 11:46 PM	#24
jazzman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mont Vernon NH & Big Barndoor Island Posts: 323 Thanks: 4 Thanked 184 Times in 62 Posts	I thought we were priced really well on a 2014 SeaRay Sundeck 260 with a sports arch and a zero hour rebuilt engine (with only 35 hours on that engine until it was rebuilt). Priced at 44.5K Seems right inline with others. We've had a few lookers but no buyers. We have no trailer which seems to kill off some buyers.

07-13-2025, 09:03 PM	#27
Sunseeker Jimmy Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 15 Thanks: 2 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	I have been a boat broker for 21 years and maybe that makes me a bad guy or whatever. But if you purchased a boat during or a year or maybe two prior to Covid, you’re expectations are probably 25-30% to high. Deal after deal I am watching people price their boats too high and until they swallow the pill and take the hit, they just don’t sell. Reality is reality and when price meets market, your boat will sell.

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Biggd (07-14-2025)

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WinnisquamZ (07-14-2025)

07-14-2025, 09:23 AM	#29
MeredithMan Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Bedford, NH; Meredith, NH Posts: 961 Thanks: 263 Thanked 818 Times in 335 Posts	I suspect that there are a lot of folks who jumped in to buy a new boat during "The 'Vid" and with new boats being so darn expensive, took out a long-term, (e.g., 10 years or more), loan. Now, 4 years into the note, perhaps their life situation has changed or they are tired of making the payments and are now saying, "what the heck did I do? I need to dump this thing"

07-20-2025, 10:12 PM	#30
Juiced06GTO Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 215 Thanks: 9 Thanked 84 Times in 49 Posts	I've been looking at potentially replacing my 06 24' Four Winns Funship, but I just can't get behind the pricing on some of the used boats out there. In 2017 I was in the $20kish range for a boat that was 11 years old with 435hrs on it. To find something similar now you are looking at $40k+ and jumping up to something in the 26' range which is what I am looking for it seems the pricing is starting at $50-60K. I think I am going to continue on with my 650hr funship and just keep maintaining it for the foreseeable future.

07-21-2025, 07:56 AM	#31
Lkin Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 39 Thanks: 10 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	You would think there would be a lot of boats pushing down prices this year- i am not seeing them on the lake! Saturday i dont think i saw more than three boats at any point in the day from my view in moultonboro bay by Ganzy. Last year it would be 10-12 boats, 4-5 jetskis, several tubers and at least one playing really loud music! Now its sometimes just the loud music!