Freshwater vs Florida value adjustment

From what I've seen, there really isn't much of a difference in the PNW. I think what really leads to any FL boat discount vs fresh water is that the FL sun is harder on boats down there vs just being in salt water in general; which obviously isn't an issue up around Seattle.

Florida water is very salty, and salt corrodes and clogs. Also as said the Florida sun and heat destroy finishes (woodwork, carpets, furniture, paint) and glue (things like headliners). Being a fresh water boat is definitely worth a premium over a salt water boat, and more so over a Florida boat.

Boy, after 3 years of boating in the PNW, and someone who spends WAY too many hours on yacht world, I see an EASY 10-15% difference in PNW. I wouldnt chalk it up to Freshwater vs Saltwater though,... more to the location. We just sold our boat in Seattle, and prices definately were higher up here. And under contract for one in Florida. The boats we have been looking at in FL and even CA are average around 15% less expensive in FL. Now, we do have to deal with shipping etc if you want it back. Once we ship ours back, we will still be way ahead. Friends also just bought and shipped a 50' SeaRay from Eastcoast to seattle. even after shipping they will be able to sell it for prob 50k above their 200k purchase price. Just what I have seen. of course, there are always a LOT of exceptions. One of the biggest things that one has to look out for with FL boats is a) were they chartered, and b) the damage caused by the heat and sun.
One of the boats we flew to FL to visit was nearly destroyed on the interior due to the wood veneer cracking and coming off. I suspect from the humidity/moisture and not properly venting when stored on the hard for hurricane season. Of course the broker represented it as very minor.
Thankfully the one we are under contract for is in amazing shape and looking forward to enjoying a few months in S FL before shipping here back to Seattle.

One other note if you are looking to buy in PNW and bring south... most boats up here do not have AC or if they do not adequate AC. Plan on investing here as otherwise you will be miserable

Very few boats are stored on the hard for hurricane seasons. Actually... pretty much no boats are. They re all in the water with the air con running gear round.

I don’t think salt or fresh water makes a difference In a quality boat as long as the boat is maintained with regular metal cleaning and polishing, waxing etc.

Salt does not anything. Growth does but that’s what regular maintenance is about isn’t it ?

what does take a hit is soft good like cushions and covers and more enclosures. All pretty obvious and easily factored in the price

On the other hand freeze damage can be harder to spot ...

Good to know. Not sure why the interior wood had so much damage on the one we looked at. This one was stored on hard during hurricane season so maybe a one off issue.

in PNW (seattle area anyway), Freezing is not an issue. Water never gets colder than mid 40's. Go further north... then maybe

Storing it on the hard is why the interior wood had so much damage. Heat, humidity and mold.....You need A/C.....

If a Florida boat has been locked up with no AC or no ventilation, the interior
will cook and grow mold/mildew and turn to mush: Especially if there is deck and window leaks, then every rain shower will add to the disaster.
Quite a few boat owners should not be allowed to own or operate anything but a wheel barrow.

Yeah, that's what i figured! was so disappointed. Luckily the second we saw was much better!

Oh so very true. One cold winter day I was with an owner in his Mercedes when he got a flat tire. I offered to change it, but instead he called road service. We froze our buns off for 2 hours waiting for them to come and do what we could have done in 10 minutes. I dare say most boat owners treat their boats like their cars; have them washed often, but otherwise just get in and turn the key.

Totally agree. We just dont have the inventory up here, and combine that with a lot of excess tech wealth, and you have a strong market.

Lots of variables. Not many absolutes.

Given the cost of transporting and potential issues involved I doubt I'd ever look for a boat on the west coast (since my clients are in the NE) unless it was for something special and expensive (probably 100'+). Were I on the west coast I doubt I'd be looking on the east coast. The last boat search I was involved with included boats from south Florida to the Great Lakes, but the Florida boats all suffered from Florida issues (corrosion, degraded glues, fading, etc.) and were quickly rejected.

I've loaded or managed/maintained many many Florida yachts that have been bought and shipped to the West Coast. It's like anything. If it's a well maintained Florida boat, it's well maintained.

Of course. There's more boats in Florida than any place I know of. So people will certainly look there. But there's enough boats on the west coast that I'd stick there unless it's something special enough to justify the frogs you'll search through looking for the princess and the cost and time searching for it and transporting it. Fact is that the Florida weather and water is hard on boats, and unfortunately most people don't maintain their boats with an open checkbook.

The market and availability on the left coast is limited, with usually significantly higher prices. Many buyers expand their searches to the east coast and ship them over.

I'm sure they do. I wouldn't, except for something very special. There are a lot of boats on the west coast. Sure you'll pay more just as you will in the NE. That balances out with the time and expense of transporting and what the warm salty water and heat may have done to the boat. When we searched for Valhalla we covered from Wisconsin to Florida from where we could make the transport part of the owner's boating experience. We didn't and wouldn't have looked on the west coast. But hey, boaters do what boaters do.

From what I've seen, there are a lot of boats, BUT only certain brands and only certain types. Something outside of those brands or type, there just aren't any.

Most boats in the PNW are designed for that environment (lower helm stations, etc to extend their season), but if you go south down the coast there's pretty much everything. It's a small world today.