| Boat value appraisal may look like a daunting task but | | | | accuracy. The most important of course is reading |
| it's not something limited to specialists, as long as you | | | | about it. Several magazines and periodicals are in print |
| know how far you can go and what can go wrong. | | | | and they all give information on the latest in boating |
| Estimations could turn out to be wildly off the mark if | | | | trends. |
| you do not use the right sources, especially if you then | | | | Besides general trade magazines, there are also lots |
| also neglect using the services of a professional | | | | dedicated to specific kinds of boats, such as |
| appraiser. | | | | catamaran only, or houseboat, or open-topped |
| Especially if it's the first time that you are looking to | | | | motorboat only. These are especially useful for boat |
| determine the value of a boat or yacht, the three most | | | | evaluation as you will find a ton of specific classifieds |
| important points are research, research, research. The | | | | that you can use for first approximate price |
| lack of previous acquaintance with the task may lead | | | | comparisons. |
| you to lake an error, so it is crucial that you take all the | | | | Thousands of boats are bought and sold through the |
| time you need to collect important information for | | | | trades and online listing sites, and so by reading through |
| comparison and assessment. | | | | the appropriate listings and comparing the features to |
| Even when buying a vessel, it is not enough to just | | | | your own vessel you will get a fairly accurate idea of |
| look at available listings on the Internet or at your local | | | | the price that you can ask. For leisure craft there are |
| boat club and go for the one that seems best value | | | | also in-depth pricing guides - most notably BUC and |
| for money. By knowing what to look for when | | | | NADA - that give average prices per model and build |
| evaluating a boat, your ability to negotiate will be | | | | year. |
| increased and you may be able to reduce the original | | | | These guides give average prices, but they are more |
| selling price by a quarter or more. | | | | solid than listings. By combining the two, you will get a |
| Appraisal research is also of paramount importance | | | | good idea of the value of features versus the basic |
| because it will allow you to better decide what kind of | | | | price of a boat. BUC cover all kinds of pleasure boats, |
| vessel you would like to acquire, and to better educate | | | | including sailing boats, while NADA is mainly concerned |
| yourself about options. Otherwise, one might end up | | | | with motorboats and outboard motors. |
| buying a boat according to specifications that sounded | | | | In any case, bear in mind that while evaluating a boat |
| great in the first place but that in reality don't stand up | | | | on your own is fine for small vessels, if the watercraft |
| to a lot of scrutiny. | | | | in question is big and costly, you should definitely also |
| There are several ways in which the potential value of | | | | get the appraisal of a professional as well. |
| a boat can be researched with a modicum of | | | | |