My experience is 80% is way too high. I would start at 2/3 of asking,
subject to survey and sea trial.

That is after doing a comparison of prices. If their asking seems
reasonable, START at 2/3 of that. That price, 2/3 of asking, seems to
hold for most of the boats I've bought.

Find someone knowledgeable and listen to them.

Good luck
Jim

sciman wrote:

This is probably a pretty newbie question, but I have found a boat I like at
a somewhat reasonable price. We are talking a 40FT boat that is 5 years old
so this is a considerable investment. In my offer, what should I be asking
for? The obvious is pending an independent survey, but are there other
things? In today's market, assuming this is an average asking price, is
coming in with an initial bid at 80% too low?

I agree that 80% it oo high to start. 2/3 offer sounds like the right place.
Another big factor in your favor is no trade-in. Remember when you buy this
boat, although you may think its yours forever, you will one day sell it or
trade it. The market is definately in the buyers favor witout a trade!
"Jim" wrote in message
ink.net...
My experience is 80% is way too high. I would start at 2/3 of asking,
subject to survey and sea trial.

That is after doing a comparison of prices. If their asking seems
reasonable, START at 2/3 of that. That price, 2/3 of asking, seems to
hold for most of the boats I've bought.

Find someone knowledgeable and listen to them.

Good luck
Jim

sciman wrote:

This is probably a pretty newbie question, but I have found a boat I
like at
a somewhat reasonable price. We are talking a 40FT boat that is 5 years
old
so this is a considerable investment. In my offer, what should I be
asking
for? The obvious is pending an independent survey, but are there other
things? In today's market, assuming this is an average asking price, is
coming in with an initial bid at 80% too low?