Imho...
Traditionally, price wise, now would be a better time to buy secondhand, rather than the spring. That said, these past few years have been very odd and many "norms" have changed radically. However, There is likely more choice of boats come the spring?
In the past, buying new, I have tended to order late summer, for delivery "any time before Easter" got me the best deal, be it lower price or "free" extras.
As a recently retired and at least medium-term grumpy old man, to GWs list of boat-buying financial woes I must add the loss in value of pension "investments". I continue to pay an advisor a handsom fee, while I sit here minding my own business and yet still loosing money on my "low risk portfolio"...in addition to the inflationary losses suffered by all. B@stw@rds!
This aspect of the crisis seems to be rarely mentioned by mainstream media.
I have had no concerns over mortgage rates for many years, yet for most of those years both mortgage and investment interest rates have been astoundingly low.
However, To put in context...
I discovered that due to "abnormally" high price rises (which were at least partly supported by exceptionally high demand, as well as material cost increases (I have many friends/contacts in the marine industry, and none reported exceptional wage increases!) coupled with simultaneous low interest rates and investment losses, a new BC23 had effectively become unaffordable to me....never mind the extended lead times.
Conclusion? Imho...
Buy it if you can, and enjoy the boat while you are fit/healthy enough to do so.
Remembering always that costs of boating also will be increasing significantly (and arguably disproportionately!) next year.
Moorings here up by 12.5%, drivers (so they say) being fuel and materials (e.g. chain up 60%).
