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Current price of Hinckleys...

Discussion in 'Hinckley Yacht' started by misterT123, Dec 26, 2011.

  1. misterT123

    misterT123 New Member

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    Hinckley Yachts have quickly become my favorite of high end yachts. The craftsmanship, classic look, power, jet propulsion, jetstick, quiet and steady ride, etc. For what you get, I definitely think that they are priced appropriately.

    I've been seeing them sell for about $2.5m for a 5 - 6 year old T55 and about $500k to $800k for a used (5 - 10 year old) model in the 40 - 48 foot range, non fly bridge. I read somewhere that their new prices may have dropped a bit because of the economy.

    Does anyone know what the (new) base prices are for the T55, T48 and T44? I'd pick up the phone and call but right now I'm not ready to talk to a salesman. And, how long do they take to build one once you place your order?

    The last I heard is that a new T55 is around $3.25m or so. But, that was about 5 or 6 years ago. Granted, with a few options I would guess that it'd be easy to add $100k to whatever the base price is.

    They sure do seem to hold their values well. Nothing like buying some boats and seeing your value drop 20% two seconds after turning the key.
    Last edited: Dec 26, 2011
  2. Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

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    Here comes a typical internet response ... you asked for A and get D

    Are you in love with Hinckleys because you know them intimately or because the name and look are so appealing? Have you spent any time on or around any of them?

    They are beautiful boats, that isn't an issue. The woodwork is gorgeous and they have a classic look. But, are you looking for a boat or a status symbol?

    For the kind of money you are considering spending, it might be worthwhile to wait until Spring and visit Annapolis or Oxford when the local fleet is going back in the water and do some discreet dockwalking. Talk to some owners and the guys who take care of those boats.

    Have you looked at other similar style boats?
  3. misterT123

    misterT123 New Member

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    Haha, yes, the question is A and not D. That's ok though. I've done a "fair share" of research and find myself disappointed with the other options I've seen. It is really hard to please me when it comes to certain aspects of style and quality. I'm also in a remote locale, far from the NE. So, the Hinckley name is relatively unknown here (not a status symbol) and "kicking the tires" is not a viable option. As far as the price, look, feel, style... each person has their own set of criteria and are guided by those criteria, cost included. In the end, one guy buys a Lexus and the other guy buys a Mercedes. To each his own. Like most people, however, costs is an important criteria. Some people can afford a new Mercedes S65 and others go with a used S550. We're all in a different boat.
  4. ayachtguy

    ayachtguy Senior Member

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    Another Alternative

    It appears that you're on the Left Coast, in which case you really should take a close look at the San Juans coming out of the Pacific Northwest. Every bit as good and, to some of us (ahem), a bit better in some details. And they're a whole lot closer to you, which equals less shipping costs, etc.
  5. Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

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    If you were buying tires or a production car I might agree but it looks like the name is all that matters so good luck.
  6. Ormond Bert54

    Ormond Bert54 Senior Member

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    Hey Marmot ... Why do you think that because a guy likes the Hinckley, that he must like it just for a status symbol and the "look"?

    I think they are absolutely gorgeous ... interior and exterior. They seem to be very good quality and hold their value for years. These are all good things.

    Can you point us to some other options in a 45' to 60' sailboat that have beauty interior and exterior, are built with high quality, hold their value for decades are safe and sail well?

    Certainly there are sailboats that are much more expensive than a Hinckley and many that are far less.

    I can say that if I had a million bucks to throw at a big sailboat, I would look at the Southern Ocean 80 "Too Elusive" in Camden ME. we raced against this boat this summer and it made us all look VERY SLOW. Half the crew was sunbathing while scorching past the rest of the boats in the field. Very cool boat.
  7. misterT123

    misterT123 New Member

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    Bringing it BACK to the original topic, the question has to do with pricing of Hinckleys. It's not about why someone chooses or prefers one boat or manufacturer over another. Each person has their own set of criteria and it's a bit simplistic to think everyone is focussed on status when it comes to a particular manufacturer.
  8. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    Don't know how you've come to the conclusion that they currently hold their value any better than other builders. There is simply no data in the marketplace to establish values for Hinckleys newer than model year 2008.

    Since the economy crashed, over the past three years 132 brokerage Hinckley re-sales are reported on the Sold Boats database and only two are newer than 2008 model.

    There are 90 Hinckley's currently on the brokerage market of which only one is newer than 2008 model. In addition, none of the 132 brokerage sold boats was over 44' ...and only 3 boats are over 44' out of 90 brokerage listings.

    The way to get the base price for a new 48'-55' Hinckley is by talking to Hinckley. They are trying to sell boats in the same difficult economy as everyone else. They just aren't selling very many new models.
  9. misterT123

    misterT123 New Member

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    About the current market data, almost any of us can do a quick search to see how many Hinckley boats there are currently for sale via brokerage. But, you're getting some important facts wrong and not reading my statements very well.

    From 2008 to mid 2011 Hinckley has sold over 50 of their Picnic boats. "The most successful product launch" per the CEO of Hinckley. That's for a boat that costs $800k and during a recession time period, not during the boom years.

    The've also sold since October 2010, eight of their 48' Talaria boats. That's a new boat for them which costs $2.1 million. (Which I myself just learned of this base price). Of course, they sell many other models, not just the T48 and the Picnic boat.

    Per their CEO, they are up 60% in new boat sales this year over last. They had to trim back employees just like everyone else in the business. But, for you to say that they're not selling very many new models is a statement that lacks facts.

    Also, re-read my statement about re-sale. I say, "They sure do seem to hold their values well. Nothing like buying some boats and seeing your value drop 20% two seconds after turning the key." The statement is obviously made as a general statement and isn't limited to the past 3 years of market data. Do you really take my 2 seconds literally? We're talking about IN GENERAL that there are SOME boats that have a significant drop in resale value... but Hinckleys have (historically) had a strong resale value. You're missing the point of my statement.
  10. misterT123

    misterT123 New Member

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    Well, this just happens to be a forum where we all share a lot of information and throwing out questions is pretty common. I tossed a couple of questions out, wondering if anyone knew the answers. I also said I wasn't ready to start calling salesmen yet. Maybe you didn't catch that bit. When I'm ready, I'd rather be more informed vs. not. Besides, I posted my questions on Christmas --- and there aren't too many sales offices open on Christmas.
  11. Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

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    Because his and your posts are full of "seems" and "gorgeous" but not much substance. Because the "look" of a Hinckley has been duplicated by several builders but no one has addressed the hardware, just the curb appeal.

    My suggestion to actually spend some time looking at the real thing in area where there are lots of them and talking to the people who own and maintain them was "not a viable option." But spending a couple of million on reputation alone is viable ... that's why I think it is a status thing.

    I don't really care what kind of boat anyone buys, that's personal but I think it is fair comment when all the reasons people end up hating their boat are simply ignored or not even questioned because the marketing guys got there first. With the ease of access to several nearly identical boats for hands on comparisons and close scrutiny of fit and finish, not to look closely makes me question the reasons for defending a brochure rather than a boat.
  12. Kafue

    Kafue Senior Member

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    misterT123
    You are asking the questions yet seem to have all the answers!
    Plus when a member goes to some effort (RER) it's not good enough.
    I would guess you know a LOT more about these boats than you are letting on. What is your deal?
    I am sure you can handle a Hinckley salesman, a class company will employ class people that won't hassle you. Pick up the phone then let us know.
  13. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    This post makes it sound like you are a salesman for Hinkley and not a buyer looking for prices on Hinkley's.

    I think Hinkley's are beautiful boats. But I'm not a big fan of the jet drive. Also, the amount of labor to keep them nice if they're not kept inside or under a shed, is consideerable between the dark blue hull and brightwork.
  14. Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

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    "... sound like you are a salesman for Hinkley and not a buyer"

    Good point J. It does make one wonder about the motive behind the posts.
  15. Kafue

    Kafue Senior Member

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    +1
    Seems like something like that!
  16. CaptPKilbride

    CaptPKilbride Senior Member

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    And really when it comes down to it on boats like this, the "market value" is whatever the guy selling a particular boat is willing to accept, and whatever the rube looking to buy the status symbol is willing to pay.

    Some guy sees a boat, falls in love with it, "has to have it" like yesterday, well he is going to pay a higher price. Unless maybe there is a distressed seller involved. People think their boats are worth more than they are.
  17. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    Don't know what wrong facts you're referring to in my post. But since you like asking questions for which you already know the answer... maybe you can fill me in.

    Since this article was written they were sold again in Jan 2011:
    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/10/business/10hinckley.html?hpw

    FYI... I referred to only the past three years of market data because it is all that matters. The economy before October 2008 does not exist anymore. Of course anyone that's got a couple of million dollars to spend on a Hinckley would probably already know that.
  18. misterT123

    misterT123 New Member

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    Haha, well, I'm no salesman for Hinckley, this is for sure. I'd obviously be a bad one if I were.

    I did spend time since my original post Googling over the holiday weekend. The only advantage of being sick and in bed I guess. So far I only found 2 current prices for new models & both of them were via the Bloomberg interview. I did send a request for pricing to Hinckley.

    As far as the wrong facts mentioned, it relates to that Hinckley's aren't selling very many new models. The Bloomberg interview mentioned that sales are up by 60% over last year.

    To be honest, I've always been lacking on the "mechanic" knowledge of boats. Engines, frequency of repairs, etc. The same has always been true with car engines. Thankfully for cars there's Consumer Reports and local dealers everywhere. A reminder from someone to look being the "looks" was good. But, the "status" symbol thing... not so accurate with me anyway. Maybe in the NE, but not here.
  19. misterT123

    misterT123 New Member

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    Since this article was written they were sold again in Jan 2011:
    Debt Trips Up Hinckley, Venerable Maine Yacht Maker - NYTimes.com

    Thanks for the link. I think I ran across that article when it was published a couple of years ago. I forgot a lot of those details. I'm glad things have turned around for them, especially for the employees who lost their jobs.
  20. misterT123

    misterT123 New Member

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    Just looking for answers about new pricing vs. tangents and "status symbol" comments relating to why someone might be interested in a particular manufacturer. Since my original post I found a couple of prices myself and am awaiting to hear back from Hinckley.