Best time to buy? Before or after Miami Show?

I would guess that the boats catching buyers during the show will be the better ones. Meaning you may get a cheaper later, but maybe not the yacht you wanted most..?

you can buy mine anytime, be it before or after the show

The way I see it, the sport fish market is soft. A motivated seller will be happy to see an offer. You may do well, right at the show.

That said: If I were a buyer, I would shop carefully at the show and make notes on your best pick boat(s). Have a first, second and perhaps third choice. Then go home and wait until the excitement of the show calms down, maybe 3 to 4 weeks. If your Princess is still available by then, make your offer.

I used this strategy for a buyer a few years ago and we ended up with a very nice boat, and a nice buy.

Good luck. There is a lot of nice inventory available to choose from.

Some of the best deals I've seen are at the shows. In our current climate, buyers are scarce and competition abounds. The Miami Show may be a buyer's best bet. After the show... all bets are off.

If you're looking at a boat outside the show I'd say the best time to buy should be just before the show as the seller will know that steep competition is nipping at his heals. If you're looking to buy at the show I'd introduce myself day one and make an offer an hour before the show closes on the last day, but don't negotiate. If they don't take the offer wait a few weeks. Of course, the show is after the inauguration. Not that it's expected, but if the country gets a major shot of optimism (you'll see it in the DJ) all bets are off and you'll want to negotiate at the show before the rush. I'm not banking on the later, but it would sure be nice to see.

I have a 1988 54' Bertram. Been owning it since 1989, but it's unfortunetaly time for me to get rid of it with the hassles of today's life; bad economy, not much money, and not as much time. I have it listed in another thread, in the sportfish yachts for sale.

http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/sportfish-yachts-sale/10423-1988-54-bertram.html

I see you're located in South America. would definitely be much cheaper to take it down from where I'm at: in Puerto Rico, rather than Miami.

go ahead, take a look.

If you come across what you like, definately before the show. The show is expensive and usually the broker will split the cost with the seller if the boat sells at the show and things like that. The seller will also incur detailing expenses and getting it to and from the show (fuel, crew, etc.). If you catch the seller before the show, you might save him say $5-20k between all of what was mentioned and he might be more apt to wheel and deal. If you don't find what you like, well then wait for the show. The sportfish market is soft right now and if you make a low offer before the show and if it's not accepted, you can always make another offer at the show or on another boat. You have more options.
I have not seen seller's make much better deals at the show then other times, unless it is a broker owned boat. I also have not see the boat shows produce as many sales on the used yachts as ten years ago with the internet. Now buyers can compare every boat on yacht world and see good pictures of the interior and everything else and pick a few to look at. Back in the day, you'd have to find a broker, he'd find a few boats, you'd have to physically drive all over to see them and back then you could see many at the boat show and buy one.

As a Broker representing a lot of sellers right now who are very eager to make a deal, I would say that your safe to try to make a run at any time, the boats for sale today have been in this competitive environment for quite some time and they are all ready as motivated as I’ve ever experienced, I have quite a few sport fish yachts myself going to the show on a mission to sell, and the prices will be extremely aggressive.

It does cost the seller about 10,000 to put his or her boat in the show, so if they are able to make a deal before hand they do save some money that they could pass along to the buyer if it doesn’t have to go.

Buying a boat at the show while everyone is in the heat of the moment offers a buyer a lot of benefits as well, the sellers are already invested in getting a deal and the emotion to get the boat sold has them in a more receptive state of mind to take a lower offer than they would like.

Just my 2 cents….

i woudl think that many sellers are going to be waiting to see how things go at the show, even those who dont' have their boats in the show, and be a little firmer on price before and during. After the show, they may be a little more flexible on price and incline to accept offers, once the reality sets in.

Does anyone really believe that we have reached bottom in the used boat market? i know the new Messiah is coming tomorrow and everything will change for the better... but realistically with tight credit, uncertain markets and record inventories, i dont' think we've reached bottom.

I'd come to the show, see what's offered there but in any case before coming line up showings of boats that match your criteria but are not in the show in the 2 or 3 days following, using a buyers broker to make it a little easier.

I have seen some sportfishes sell at ridiculously cheap prices the last month or so. Some owners are really in a pinch and taking anything to pay for their living expenses or keep their business afloat. These deals have sold/gone as quickly as they've been listed from what I've seen. I saw a fairly nice 66' ocean 1999 that sold for a tad over $250k and a few others..........lately if you keep a keen eye out, like looking at yacht world everyday I have seen a handful of yachts that I have run,worked on, or seen in person that were nice yachts, not basket cases sell super cheap if you can catch them.

part of the decision process, timewise, is to balance how low you think the market will go vs how soon you want that "new" boat... waiting a few months for another 20% maybe worth it but if we're close to the bottom you may be waiting a few months for just a 5 to 10% correction and maybe missing on some good deal.

like capt J I've seen a few good sportfishes selling for half of what they were asking 12 to 18 months ago.

time will tell... maybe with lower fuel prices, slightly easier insurance, and some pressure on marina prices (at least in some instances) we may be a little closer to bottom.

Personal opinon: if you really want that boat now and you can find a good deal, it may not be worth waiting for ever.

I wouldn't buy a boat just because it's cheap. When you find one that is exactly what you're looking for and it's a good deal then jump on it. It may go lower, it may stay the same, who knows. Remember, just because the economy is down, yacht owners are generally rich people, and 9 out of 10 of them (maybe less) can afford to hang onto their yacht until they get what they want for it or let's say absolutely have to sell it. Not everyone is hurting. If you see a great deal jump on it. They're around, if it doesn't feel like the boat you want then wait. I think you can afford to be picky choosey for the next year until the right one comes along.

I have seen some activity the past month and they have all been foriegn buyers and they have all paid cash for the yacht they bought. So there are some people that are still in a good financial position.

Don't buy an elevator just because it is marked down.

The time to buy is when you see the right boat and fall in love. Do your research, look at a lot of boats, decide what will fit your needs, then when you walk on board the right one you will know, and then you can make an offer.

That special deal may not be so special if it is not the right boat for you. With the true costs of use and ownership, a savings in the purchase price may not make up for disapointment later.

What is more important to you, finding a special deal or finding the special boat? There will be good deals on special boats in this market, but they are still hard to find but it should always be fun to look.

This fellow makes a lot of sense. As my mother used to say "Things are worth what they cost when you need (want) them, and stop looking once you've bought". As for the market not being on the bottom yet, don't be too sure. Your guess is as good as mine, but we're pretty darn close to the bottom. If we're not then it's time to start selling pencils on street corners, and I don't think it's coming to that. A lot is changing TODAY.