Boat buying - Rip Off Ireland

Tabnabs · 20-01-2009 09:31AM #1

I am always astounded at the prices Irish boat owners think they can get away with when selling their boats. And on the other side, I am equally astounded by what Irish people pay for second hand boats.

Examples:
Kelt 850, a very nice, well designed and good sailing boat built in France in the 80s and still going strong today.

Irish price: €34000

UK Price: £20000

After conversion to sterling and transport across there would still be an 25% saving to be made (around €8000!)

Example 2
Sadler 25, very pretty and seaworthy little yacht, famous designer and many built.

Irish price: €21000

UK price: £9000

That's half the Irish price!

I know our second hand market is not as large as the UK and therefore prices remain artificially high, but it seems like lunacy to pay these high prices when you can make a huge saving (even after flights, car hire etc factored in) by buying across the water. Having said all that, our last boat was Irish and we paid well under the market value for her :pac:

Slig · 20-01-2009 10:21AM

When we were buying our boat (well looking anyway) it was very frustrating, the only (good) boat sales websites were english, so looking at the boats on these and seeing the prices and then looking at the prices here was infuriating. Even up North the prices are much lower.

Needless to say we bought in the UK, bought the boat(incl engine), new trailer and all travel expences for the price of the engine alone over here.

It seems a different culture over there. If they want to start boating they buy an old cabin cruiser 16" - 18". Here the ideal starter boat is a bowrider or rib and not an old one!!

dlofnep · 20-01-2009 09:27PM

I was tempted to go over to Britain to get a Shetland, but when I worked out the ferry costs, it wasn't worth my while. I got one here for a reasonable price, and it was in great condition so I wasn't bothered. I'll no doubt be looking elsewhere when I buy something a little bigger.

Pigeon Reaper · 24-01-2009 04:17PM

Alot depends on the condition of the boat too. I bought an Westerly a few years ago and paid double what some others where selling for due to the contrasting conditions of the boats. If you want a project by all means get a cheap boat and feel free to take advantage of the exchange rate but it is hard to judge the condition of boats based on websites.

dugde · 15-07-2013 01:20PM

anyone know how the seating in the cabin of the Azimut 36 flybridge converts for sleeping ....the table looks to be part of the process , however I cant see to make the whole thing work ..... many thanks for ay help