Used boat purchase question.

[raggydoo]

I’m looking at purchasing a used boat that has been upgraded with a Lowrance Ghost trolling motor and a couple HDS 12 graphs. I wasn’t necessarily looking for these but they would be nice to have. I probably would eventually upgrade any boat I buy with similar electronics at some point.  

My question is I’m wondering how much these type of upgrades usually add to the value? The seller is asking a price that is probably $2500 more than it would be without them. 
 

[MN Fisher]

A used Ghost runs about that much by itself - add another $800 each for the HDS-12s.

[gim]

I would say its a reasonable selling price given those additions.  I don't know how old the Ghost or graphs are, but have to imagine both are relatively new and most importantly, working properly.  If you were to go out and buy a Ghost and two HDS 12 graphs, you'd easily be paying probably $5 grand for them.

[InfantryMP]

I would not be worrying about the extra 2500. The ghost, and graphs alone like mentioned are a lot of money new. If you cannot install yourself, now you are looking at more money added. 

 

When I sold my old boat, I increased the price with my ultrex and 3 Lowrance graphs networked together about the same as the 2500 you are facing. 

[Jig Man]

You said Lowrance HDS.  What generation 1, 2, or 3 ?  That will make a  difference in value.

[WIGuide]

If they're 12's they wouldn't be gen 1's as they only made an HDS 10 and the 12's didn't come out until the 2 touch's came out. Worst case scenario, g2touch 12's would be about $500 or so on the used market and a used Ghost will still be over 2K. If they're newer the prices only go up and I wouldn't bat an eye. 

[raggydoo]

Thanks for the replies, this is my first time buying a boat and want to make sure paying extra for upgrades is a good idea. I'm told the graphs are gen 3 but I’m not that familiar with them and need to verify that. 

[slonezp]

Boats are still getting a premium. Unless the electronics are brand spankin' new, they add zero value. The market is what is drawing the premium not the electronics. 

[raggydoo]

57 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Boats are still getting a premium. Unless the electronics are brand spankin' new, they add zero value. The market is what is drawing the premium not the electronics. 

So in your opinion do you think a comparable boat without electronics would sell for the same price?

[slonezp]

Just now, raggydoo said:

So in your opinion do you think a comparable boat without electronics would sell for the same price?

I sold a 10 year old boat 2 years ago during covid for $4k less than I paid for it new, with antiquated electronics.  All I'm saying is it's a sellers market. If you feel the boat is a good buy, go for it. Electronics are no different than computers as they are obsolete at the time they are released. Any electronics are better than no electronics but they do not add value during a "normal" economy. 

 

 

[12poundbass]

Look at it as if it were a truck. Take an early 2000’s Silverado, some guy jacks it up, puts big mud tires, enough LED’s to signal the space station, chrome that’ll blind Stevie Wonder, custom paint, and so on. The seller is asking $40k and says “$60k of upgrades”. At the end of the day, you still have an early 2000’s Silverado. 

[gulfcaptain]

2 hours ago, slonezp said:

Boats are still getting a premium. Unless the electronics are brand spankin' new, they add zero value. The market is what is drawing the premium not the electronics. 

Yep,  he can have all his gen 3 units back if he wants. Doubt he will but electronics don't add any value. Trolling motor figure a little. But the value is in the boat as well as you need to be more concerned about the motor on the back  of the boat. If that motor is in bad shape don't care about all the rest, just lipstick on a pig at that point. Don't look at the shiny stuff, look at the boat and the motor.

[WIGuide]

As someone who's been heavily involved in the used boat market, I have to disagree with the last few post about accessories adding zero value. They do not add as much as what they would when brand new, but there is still value added. As the accessories age, that value goes down, but it's not completely gone. Normal market, elevated market, low market, it doesn't matter. 

[raggydoo]

Appreciate everyone’s opinions/advice, wanted to give a quick update. I did end up purchasing the boat. Negotiated a lower price that I’m happy with. The boat seems in great shape and the motor has under 30 hours and checks out great. I felt paying a little more than comparable boats I looked at, most of which had more hours and lesser equipment, made sense. 

[A-Jay]

8 minutes ago, raggydoo said:

Appreciate everyone’s opinions/advice, wanted to give a quick update. I did end up purchasing the boat. Negotiated a lower price that I’m happy with. The boat seems in great shape and the motor has under 30 hours and checks out great. I felt paying a little more than comparable boats I looked at, most of which had more hours and lesser equipment, made sense. 

Thanks for the Update and 

Congratulation on your new rig ! 

A-Jay

[gim]

1 hour ago, raggydoo said:

I did end up purchasing the boat

Be sure to post some photos in the “show your ride” thread.

[WIGuide]

Congratulations @raggydoo You'll definitely have to show off the new ride on here!

[raggydoo]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

Be sure to post some photos in the “show your ride” thread.

 

37 minutes ago, WIGuide said:

Congratulations @raggydoo You'll definitely have to show off the new ride on here!

I’ll have to get some pictures, the dealer is shrink wrapping and storing it till spring. Keeping my fingers crossed for a short winter. 

[Deephaven]

Awesome.  Ghost and hds combo is going to be sweet.