Drop in Value and increase Maintenance of Boat in Water

A friend of mine is a part owner of a 2004 ProCat 2200cc with two Yamaha 115 four stroke outboards. He has been keeping it on a trailer in Key Largo, Florida.

His partners have come up with a plan to put bottom paint on the boat and keep it in the salt water on the bayside in Key Largo. He and I believe this is wrong, but his partners insist that doing this will not devalue the boat significantly, nor do they believe that leaving the boat in the salt water will cause more maintenance or otherwise shorten the lifespan of the metal parts, partularly the engines.

I told him that his boat will wear faster, will have a shorten lifespan and require a lot more maintenance than if it was trailered, and of course this all leads to lower value. Your opinions are welcomed...

 

My feeling is that you and your friend are right, but a boat in the water IS much more convenient and he and his partners will get more use out of it.

This may offset the additional cost and depreciation.

 

When I see boats for sale advertised I don't believe the value between "bottom paint" "no bottom paint" and "trailer kept" or "see it dockside" is that great. To me that's sales hype.

There will be added maintenence for in the water, but part of that will be offset by reduced maintenence of the trailer.

What sets the value is the condition of the boat.

I lived in the Keys for 16 years and my father in law has a house in Key Largo with his 28ft Intrepid on the dock right behind it. He has repowered it several times and never because of "shortened lifespan of metal parts." I have owned many boats both trailered and docked and I can tell you there is a real value in being able to just jump in and turn the key. My family and I used the docked boats MUCH more often than the trailered boats.

If they own the boat to use it, put it in the water. If they are hoping to get 100 more dollars for it 10 years from now, keep it on the trailer.

Steve

 

risks of trailering accident VS staying in water?

Of course, there are risk at the dock from other boats, storms, etc.

But I'd wager an insurance actuary will tell you having even experienced boaters trailing and launching a large boat is risky.

I'd guess the blood-alcohol/fatigue level of the operator on the retrailering/drive to storage is a factor.

 

I would pay an additional $2000 to $3000 for this size boat without bottom paint and hoist or (properly fit) trailer kept vs. one with bottom paint and kept in the water.

One thing for me is the uncertainty of what might be hidden under the bottom paint by an unscrupulous seller. And it's a lot more pleasant to bottom paint a boat if you want it than to have to remove it if you don't.

 

yes painting is always a good option time taken would be less if only outer painting is done