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What is the average age to retire from yachting?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Joe Deepwater, Feb 10, 2019.

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  1. Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

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    Sounds like we'll make a fine team! (BTW I was agreeing with you on the market timing. I'll try to use smaller words. :p)
    Last edited: Feb 21, 2019
  2. Joe Deepwater

    Joe Deepwater Member

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    I guess I was looking for estimates on general trends to time the market in the future, e.g. "90% of boaters with 35'+ boats retire by age 75 and most of the remaining 10% hire captains or don't take them away from the docks," or, "There will be a slot opportunity in the 50-80 foot yacht range in roughly 10 years because the ultra rich will upgrade to larger boats because they can afford captains but the remainder will downgrade to a boat they can captain and maintain by themselves in retirement."

    The 10% maintenance cost rule was a wakeup call for me. I'll be waiting at least 5 years, and probably longer.
  3. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I deal with a lot of international customers. There are no general trends, because when the exchange rate changes a good deal in another countries favor, then you see people from that country buying a lot of boats from here. Sometimes it's Australia, sometimes New Zealand, other times Europe, Canada...…. usually one dealer will snap up 10-20 yachts, and it just varies....I have a Greek customer, in the downfall he bought at least 40 repossessed yachts...…....Buy a boat just big enough to meet your needs and go boating. If there's a recession here, you can get deals. Right now, Central America is hot.....but those guys buy new yachts......I have 2 Central American owners that bought 2 new 2018 yachts 55-75' and already trading them in on more expensive 2019's, but they're also the same brand and lots of nagging small problems and both owners are getting different brands. Some owners I work for have gotten out of yachting for a while and just have center consoles and now both wanting yachts again......it just varies.....
  4. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Thank You
  5. Seasmaster

    Seasmaster Senior Member

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    OK, I have an example of a SPECIFIC age to retire.
    Observed at a large marina on the New River in Ft. Laud. Wind was negligible as well as current.

    I was down below in my salon, when I hear a great deal of shouting and screaming from outside. Hustling topside, I observed a Maritimo 54, piloted by some old guy looking as old as Moses, backing into a slip while looking forward (maybe at the back-up camera display on his console) and never aft, with a cigarette dangling from his mouth. His First Mate is on down on the main deck, yelling engine & rudder directions to "Moses", who never changes his viewing position. (He's still looking forward - kind of like a statue. The cigarette is a lot shorter now!!)

    After a lot of engine work, the boat is finally secured with the help of the boat owners who's boat almost was struck during this evolution. Fast forward about 10 minutes. When I see the boat-driver [Moses], he's hooked up to an O2 hose and a cannula!!!!!!

    So, when you are suffering from emphysema or CPOD, need to use O2, AND SMOKE A CIGARETTE, That is a sign from God, or if we are using our PC description, a sign from "your Deity of choice", that it is time to retire from yachting!!!

    I swear, "There but for the grace of God, go I". LOL:):D:Do_Oo_O
  6. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Unfortunately, we have all observed similar evolutions with pilots having jet black hair, and healthy biceps. Might be time for your guy to hand off the piloting , but certainly NOT enjoying his vessel. I'll give up only when my "cannula" runs dry and it doesn't matter.
  7. Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

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    From my cold dead hands.

    Just kidding. I hope I will have the wherewithal to hang it up when my skills are no longer adequate to drive the boat/motorhome/lawn tractor. A life time of professional aviating has hammered it into me to be realistic about one's ability. But, you don't know until you get there...

    Meanwhile I think I can still handle it. This a-hole had to test me yesterday.... 30,000 pound motorhome, with a 5000 pound tandem axle trailer. Speed 50 mph, (limit 55).... time from when a-hole started his sudden u-turn from stand still on the side of the road to the moment he would have died...... 3-1/2 seconds. Yes, I'm half off the road. The battle ship handled it quite well.

    Last edited: Feb 28, 2019
  8. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    I will have a captain when I cannot competently navigate or operate. And still enjoy pepperoni and cheese with a cheap white wine - we are fortunate to have our cockpit is filled with great dock mates - some might even carry me up to the bridge. They sure have carried me down!
  9. Joe Deepwater

    Joe Deepwater Member

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    A brand with windows, right in my 52-55 foot range! Can you approach him for a price for the boat and slip? Time to pass the torch! I'll even let his party return to sit on it for 100 days per year. Timing is everything! There's a brokerage fee somewhere in there for you ;):D:D:D. Seriously.
  10. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Oh common. Let the guy enjoy his last years - do you really need to save a couple of bucks at his expense? I'm a lot closer to dying then you are, I think - stop with the "google faces". Could be your Dad.
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2019
  11. Joe Deepwater

    Joe Deepwater Member

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    ;)
  12. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    You know I am the curmudgeon?
  13. Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

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    If you have to keep explaining that you're not doing a very good job you know. :D
  14. gr8trn

    gr8trn Senior Member

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    My wife is still laughing and the pasta is boiling over after I read that to her, thanks for sharing. Sharing is caring.
  15. Joe Deepwater

    Joe Deepwater Member

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    Oh yes. Makes things interesting.
  16. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    I'll try to be less interesting...