| Recently we have been faced with a very | | | | happens, because there are good custom design |
| interesting question, in the midst of the global | | | | boats available around the world) |
| economical rollercoaster. Can you buy Pleasure | | | | 4) You have bought a boat for a good price, well |
| yachts as investments? | | | | under market value. (Every buyer's wish) |
| And the answer to this question is far less | | | | 5) You have bought a rundown boat and done |
| complex than people would think. It is not that | | | | good job in renovating and repairing it, and bringing |
| simple as well. But the answer is YES! As a | | | | it up to a quality standard. |
| matter of fact, brokers and agents around the | | | | 6) You have bought a new very well custom |
| world have been investing a lot of money in | | | | designed boat for a good price and of a good |
| buying big boats (which I would say are around | | | | quality, from Taiwan or China, (or similarly priced |
| the size ranging from 40ft to 100ft) as | | | | countries). |
| investment. | | | | 7) You have bought a boat from a new brand or |
| Like buying houses, you can get mortgage for | | | | upcoming manufacturer, who has good prospects |
| buying boats. With far less friendlier terms. | | | | of popularity in the future because of his yacht |
| Meaning that you will have to make a full pay | | | | building quality and design. |
| back in 5 years, and maximum 12 years, if you | | | | 8) You bought a great boat from overseas, while |
| are lucky to find a bank that accepts it. The | | | | the exchange rate was at its best. |
| interest rates are usually not the best. Especially | | | | 9) You traded-in your old boat for a good value |
| with private financing firms. But nevertheless it is | | | | to get a new boat. |
| possible to get finance on new or new-ish boats. | | | | 10) Rare but not impossible, You bought a boat |
| Banks and some big financial firms will not give | | | | for good price because it is considered as unlucky, |
| loans for old boats, unless you have a great | | | | due to accident or death in the boat or other |
| relationship with the particular financer. The reason | | | | unfortunate event that happened to its owner. (A |
| is simply because Banks cannot understand the | | | | sad thing to make money on, as I can understand |
| valuation of a boat. The valuation of boats and | | | | this from owner's point of view) |
| used boats generally has too much variation, from | | | | One other main talent that will help you is, to |
| size of its engines, to where the boat is built and | | | | understand the movement of the markets, and if |
| the style, size of the boat, condition in particular | | | | you can speculate that a particular country will |
| for used boats, and materials used in building that | | | | have its demand increased for boats. For |
| boat. So I would say, if you are looking to invest | | | | example, A few years ago, Russia had a great |
| in boats, then you better have some spare cash | | | | demand, due to its economical and some political |
| and a lot of love. Similar to marriage. People do | | | | changes. South Korea had a slight increase in its |
| say, having a boat is like having another marriage, | | | | demands around 6 years ago due to its economy |
| I disagree, because boats are far more faithful | | | | and also an extra holiday per week was |
| than humans. | | | | announced by the government. |
| Back to our topic on boats as investments. So | | | | Australian markets are always favorable, because |
| yes, Recently in some cases it has become a | | | | they particularly like buying boats that can take |
| good investment. Especially in Hong Kong (China) | | | | the beating, rather than fancy looking boats. So |
| and Asia. Hong Kong is better in particular because | | | | good quality boats for a good price almost always |
| maintenance of boats is a easy thing to do here. | | | | has a market in Australia. Unless a economical |
| Compared to other parts of Asia. There are 10 | | | | gloom is facing the country like the recent global |
| reasons why you can actually get more money | | | | downturn. However, no economical downturn is |
| for a boat, after its few years older than when | | | | ever permanent and like the human spirit it |
| you bought it. | | | | always arises no matter how much beating it |
| 1) Exchange rate to buy that particular boat as | | | | takes. |
| "New" from its original country has increased. | | | | A good agent and importantly honest agent, is a |
| 2) The original price of the "New" boat of the | | | | valuable asset. A proper agent will not only tell |
| same model has increased (This happens surely, | | | | you the prices and notify you of new listings and |
| as prices of new boats only increase year by | | | | market values. But will also let you know how to |
| year due to high labor costs and inflation) | | | | negotiate for a particular deal. Should you be |
| 3) You have a rare brand and model (This hardly | | | | aggressive or should you wait and watch. |