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Thanks again everyone for the input. It's been really helpful, truly. We do get the feeling the broker is not really on our side and thinks pretty highly of himself, and the some of the boats he's brought to us.

@mvweebles - Happy to provide any other info.

We'd love to get into something for this season, but maybe we're rushing it.
 
fault_tolerance said:
Greetings! Long time lurker, first time poster! Our humble little core family of 3 are in the market for 50 - 60 LOA raised pilothouse boat with walk around decks, and a flying bridge. At the helm (a majority of the time) will be my farther, an experienced Bristol Bay commercial fisherman. In the past we've chartered out 47 Selene's. Our price range is somewhere around the $500,000's (give or take pending on what's included / condition). Something with 3 staterooms would be wonderful, but we're open to 2 stateroom. We'd mainly be traveling between WA -> Alaska.

We've been officially been looking for a boat for the past year, but have been keeping an eye on yacht world for quite some time. Our broker has sent a few boats, but we feel that he's a bit pushy, and a little shady. To be fair, he has sent us a couple of boats our way that haven't officially been listed, which is great (prior boats that he's sold that current owners have decided to sell).

Boats that we have taken to survey: 1997 43 (or is it 42?) Nordhavn, and 1979 55 Ocean Alexander (stretched). We've finally come to terms that we won't find one boat that checks all the boxes and we're open minded. Options we'd love to have: propane oven, thrusters (bow or stern), stabilizers would be a bonus, w/d would be a bonus, freshwater maker, oil change system, fuel polishing...You get the idea. Is it a sellers market? Are people holding onto their boats? Are we doomed to miss this season?

We've learned so much from everyone here and hope we can contribute!
Click to expand...

I reposted the OP. A few comments.

1. Nordhavn has never made a 42, they did make a 43 but that wasn't until the mid 2000s. I don't recall when they started the N40 but you probably looked at one of the original N46s. I haven't tracked them in a while but I don't think they're close to $500k.

2. $500k - I assumed this was USD. CAD would make a difference.

3. 1979 Ocean Alexander 55 "stretched. " I assumed this was one of the Mark 1 models as they are a raised PH and several of them were stretched. They were probably $300k-ish brand new and are frequently for sale on the $200k range (albeit likely tired). So something doesn't add up. Maybe it's a different model?

4. It's not a seller's market. It's probably fairly well balanced right now but there are sellers who haven't gotten the memo that COVID prices are long gone.

5. I am currently on a 20-year old boat that shows as new. The flaws are so minor the owner has to point them out and even then they're hard to see. The water damage picture you posted is inconsistent with excellent condition. An owner who keeps their boat in excellent condition wouldn't tolerate this for a minute let alone years as the panel on the picture has been. And I'll guess there is other stuff.

I commented that information is sparse because of #1-#3 above. Are you comfortable you have the knowledge to purchase a boat in this category? Might be unfair to speculate, but it just doesn't feel like you're headed in a good direction. Forgive me if I've read too much here.

Respectfully,

Peter
 
fault_tolerance said:
Greetings! Long time lurker, first time poster! Our humble little core family of 3 are in the market for 50 - 60 LOA raised pilothouse boat with walk around decks, and a flying bridge. At the helm (a majority of the time) will be my farther, an experienced Bristol Bay commercial fisherman. In the past we've chartered out 47 Selene's. Our price range is somewhere around the $500,000's (give or take pending on what's included / condition). Something with 3 staterooms would be wonderful, but we're open to 2 stateroom. We'd mainly be traveling between WA -> Alaska.

We've been officially been looking for a boat for the past year, but have been keeping an eye on yacht world for quite some time.
Click to expand...

I sometimes enjoy looking at the market, so... I just had a glance at Yachtworld listings with the whole PNW/Alaska/48-55'/3-stateroom/$500K things in mind. Boatloads of examples that at least appear at first glance to generally come close to requirements. Probably more would appear, had I included the whole west coast...

seattle.boatshed.com

Bracewell Pacesetter 540 For Sale, 54'0", 2008

Bracewell Pacesetter 540 for sale | 54'0" | 2008 | 2x diesel 480hp | GRP Construction | Planing underwater profile | 6 sleeping berths | Boat REF# 337267
seattle.boatshed.com seattle.boatshed.com

That's after eliminating a couple 55 Alaskans (wood hull) and a few that turned out to maybe only have 2 staterooms. And I didn't look at additional photos for each. Note asking prices WELL below that $500K/1979 OA.

Of those, and were it me, I think I'd look first at the Bayliner 5288 (with MAN diesels), the Matthews (although it might be wood; can't tell), and the Nordic Tug.

(It happens the Meridian 540PH -- same as Bayliner 5288 -- actually made our short list when we were last shopping. Never found one available, at least on our coast, at the time. Didn't know MAN diesels might have been an option, and I'd have seen that as a plus.)

Anyway, just meant as a sample of potential candidates, using only a few criteria...

-Chris
 
ranger58sb said:
I sometimes enjoy looking at the market, so... I just had a glance at Yachtworld listings with the whole PNW/Alaska/48-55'/3-stateroom/$500K things in mind. Boatloads of examples that at least appear at first glance to generally come close to requirements. Probably more would appear, had I included the whole west coast...

seattle.boatshed.com

Bracewell Pacesetter 540 For Sale, 54'0", 2008

Bracewell Pacesetter 540 for sale | 54'0" | 2008 | 2x diesel 480hp | GRP Construction | Planing underwater profile | 6 sleeping berths | Boat REF# 337267
seattle.boatshed.com seattle.boatshed.com

That's after eliminating a couple 55 Alaskans (wood hull) and a few that turned out to maybe only have 2 staterooms. And I didn't look at additional photos for each. Note asking prices WELL below that $500K/1979 OA.

Of those, and were it me, I think I'd look first at the Bayliner 5288 (with MAN diesels), the Matthews (although it might be wood; can't tell), and the Nordic Tug.

(It happens the Meridian 540PH -- same as Bayliner 5288 -- actually made our short list when we were last shopping. Never found one available, at least on our coast, at the time. Didn't know MAN diesels might have been an option, and I'd have seen that as a plus.)

Anyway, just meant as a sample of potential candidates, using only a few criteria...

-Chris
Click to expand...

I agree with you. The first one on your list - OA 50+5 with 6-71Ns looked like a great choice for my current run to Florida (though stabilizers would be great). I'm sure many/most would be PoS so you'd have to kiss some frogs which is hard from Montana. Takes time and money to make the trips but that's what it takes.

Peter
 
ranger58sb said:
I sometimes enjoy looking at the market, so... I just had a glance at Yachtworld listings with the whole PNW/Alaska/48-55'/3-stateroom/$500K things in mind. Boatloads of examples that at least appear at first glance to generally come close to requirements. Probably more would appear, had I included the whole west coast...

seattle.boatshed.com

Bracewell Pacesetter 540 For Sale, 54'0", 2008

Bracewell Pacesetter 540 for sale | 54'0" | 2008 | 2x diesel 480hp | GRP Construction | Planing underwater profile | 6 sleeping berths | Boat REF# 337267
seattle.boatshed.com seattle.boatshed.com

That's after eliminating a couple 55 Alaskans (wood hull) and a few that turned out to maybe only have 2 staterooms. And I didn't look at additional photos for each. Note asking prices WELL below that $500K/1979 OA.

Of those, and were it me, I think I'd look first at the Bayliner 5288 (with MAN diesels), the Matthews (although it might be wood; can't tell), and the Nordic Tug.

(It happens the Meridian 540PH -- same as Bayliner 5288 -- actually made our short list when we were last shopping. Never found one available, at least on our coast, at the time. Didn't know MAN diesels might have been an option, and I'd have seen that as a plus.)

Anyway, just meant as a sample of potential candidates, using only a few criteria...

-Chris
Click to expand...

Thanks for that list, there some good options in there. Specifically we're looking for raised PH, so the flush decks are out. We're also looking for something in the 55k + weight that's more trawler than sport. Low GPH are ideal, we're in no rush getting to where we're going!
 
fault_tolerance said:
We're also looking for something in the 55k + weight that's more trawler than sport. Low GPH are ideal, we're in no rush getting to where we're going!
Click to expand...

Run it like a trawler, it becomes a trawler!

Why you think I hang around here?

:)

That "list" was with almost zero discrimination, BTW, so I'd guess a wider search argument might also surface 10-15 more candidates worth a quick review. And like I said, I didn't include the whole west coast, which could double or triple the number of returns.

Edit: Also, I only looked at some of the listings on the first page of returns. I think there were about 3 pages of returns, but I didn't look further...

-Chris
 
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I knew when he mentioned someone on the forum gave him a useful spreadsheet who that was. Sure enough, reading on a few posts and I was right. That spreadsheet of Scot's should be used by serious yacht brokers to help buyers focus on what the must have and what they would like and so on.
I agree with Peter regarding that tiny insight on what you are looking at for a half a million bucks. If signs of previous water leaks are on a 40+ year old vessel one would expect that to be on a fire sale sort of boat, not one at the tippy top of the price range.
I know a guy that is looking at a boat that is 36 years old and is at a steep, steep discount compared to peers by same yard and architect and size and vintage, it is 1/10th the price you are considering, and even at fire sale pricing, it does not have cosmetic issues like this. I would keep on looking. Maybe even starting with a new broker (buyer's agent). A half a million should get you the boat you want, ready to start cruising without having to start right away on repairs or a refit of anything substantial.
 
Are we still talking about the ‘79 OA?

If yes then you should go look at the 3 OA 54’s that are for sale in ‘Anacortes. Not one of them is over $300,000. It is rare to see an OA Ocean 54 for sale. It’s a shock that 3 of them are on the market all at the same time.
 
Hey welcome aboard & good luck w/your search! I really dig on OAs of that era. Maybe the 'Right One' will pop up for you. Regardless, you'll find something good.
 
fault_tolerance said:
Yes, we were. Yeah, we're making plans to view some of the other OA's. We've viewed a couple of them already.
Click to expand...

I'm fairly positive I know the OA you are talking about. It sat on the market at $500k for some time. If this is the boat I am thinking about, and the listing broker is from LaConner.... it looked like a Fleming clone almost!

For a while there, it seemed like there were 1-2 stretched MK 1's on the market or coming on market every few months. Some had original 555 Cummins, but some were repowered (assuming when they did the stretch). Seemed like all were from the same broker, so not sure if he was affiliated with the brand when these were new, or what the story is there.

I thought the price was nuts. for $500k you could potentially get into an older Nordhavn. Check out Chuck Hovey's listings on older Fleming 55's and you are right in the ball park there too on an objectively better/newer boat.

You may also want to consider a different broker. I think the one strategy is to narrow down the model and make sure the broker specializes in that model and is active in the community. Also joining an owners group is key as you can often times get intel on boats that could come onto the market that haven't been listed yet.
 
I'm not sure the last time it was on the market, it had been in their family since the early 90's. You're correct about the location and probably the broker. The owner of the brokerage has owned some OA's. It seems that when people are ready to sell their OA's they go to him. (Or should I say back to him since he probably sold it to them in the first place haha). The people who own the stretched and re-powered OA's are very proud of them (maybe mostly due to the aforementioned broker).

We considered a Fleming and had an offer on a Nordhavn. We couldn't quite find that 'felt right' / was the best 'bank for the buck'; also being able to purchase something in the PNW was a huge bonus.

We did have another broker looking around (he seemed to favor DeFever boats), but the results were the same.
 
fault_tolerance said:
Greetings! Long time lurker, first time poster! Our humble little core family of 3 are in the market for 50 - 60 LOA raised pilothouse boat with walk around decks, and a flying bridge. At the helm (a majority of the time) will be my farther, an experienced Bristol Bay commercial fisherman. In the past we've chartered out 47 Selene's. Our price range is somewhere around the $500,000's (give or take pending on what's included / condition). Something with 3 staterooms would be wonderful, but we're open to 2 stateroom. We'd mainly be traveling between WA -> Alaska.

We've been officially been looking for a boat for the past year, but have been keeping an eye on yacht world for quite some time. Our broker has sent a few boats, but we feel that he's a bit pushy, and a little shady. To be fair, he has sent us a couple of boats our way that haven't officially been listed, which is great (prior boats that he's sold that current owners have decided to sell).

Boats that we have taken to survey: 1997 43 (or is it 42?) Nordhavn, and 1979 55 Ocean Alexander (stretched). We've finally come to terms that we won't find one boat that checks all the boxes and we're open minded. Options we'd love to have: propane oven, thrusters (bow or stern), stabilizers would be a bonus, w/d would be a bonus, freshwater maker, oil change system, fuel polishing...You get the idea. Is it a sellers market? Are people holding onto their boats? Are we doomed to miss this season?

We've learned so much from everyone here and hope we can contribute!
Click to expand...
We have a 49 Defever, I fish the bay too. Who is your dad? Great he'll probably cork me for the best anchorage spot now. Haha
 
fault_tolerance said:
Greetings! Long time lurker, first time poster! Our humble little core family of 3 are in the market for 50 - 60 LOA raised pilothouse boat with walk around decks, and a flying bridge. At the helm (a majority of the time) will be my farther, an experienced Bristol Bay commercial fisherman. In the past we've chartered out 47 Selene's. Our price range is somewhere around the $500,000's (give or take pending on what's included / condition). Something with 3 staterooms would be wonderful, but we're open to 2 stateroom. We'd mainly be traveling between WA -> Alaska.

We've been officially been looking for a boat for the past year, but have been keeping an eye on yacht world for quite some time. Our broker has sent a few boats, but we feel that he's a bit pushy, and a little shady. To be fair, he has sent us a couple of boats our way that haven't officially been listed, which is great (prior boats that he's sold that current owners have decided to sell).

Boats that we have taken to survey: 1997 43 (or is it 42?) Nordhavn, and 1979 55 Ocean Alexander (stretched). We've finally come to terms that we won't find one boat that checks all the boxes and we're open minded. Options we'd love to have: propane oven, thrusters (bow or stern), stabilizers would be a bonus, w/d would be a bonus, freshwater maker, oil change system, fuel polishing...You get the idea. Is it a sellers market? Are people holding onto their boats? Are we doomed to miss this season?

We've learned so much from everyone here and hope we can contribute!
Click to expand...
If you would have any interest in a '93 Grand Banks 49 classic, galley down, Gyro-stabilized, contact me here...
 

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Late to the party but since I've been there, done that I can clarify a couple of things. I bought an OA Mk 1 back in 2012.
1. I looked at doing the stretch to 55'. Talked to several yards both in WA and Canada. In summary they were saying "last one we did was around $120k" A big part is painting the entire hull, pretty much necessary.
2. I needed to replace the fuel tanks, so put in JD 6068's at the same time. Engines alone were over $50k. Then of course recon the Twin Discs, new shafts, exhaust system, fuel supply....

So to folks who see some of the 50's (with Triple Nickels or Lehman) priced at $200-300 and think the one the OP was considering, is way overpriced? Well, all I can say is your dreamin'. Even at $500k the sellers will be taking quite a haircut on what's been sunk into it.
 
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I totally agree that most Owners of well maintained boats typically take a haircut when selling, but that's kind of the nature of the beast.
I just cringe when I hear people state that they are going to "Invest" in a boat! :nonono:
Folks, the vast majority of boats out there are not "Investments", in accounting parlance, they are "Depreciating Assets", in other words, they will go down in value no matter what you do (when you eliminate things like Covid pricing).
We didn't get any of the boats we've owned with any expectations that we would make money on them when we sold them, although we've always sold them for more $$ than we purchased them for . . . BUT the purchase price is only the initial ante, making them YOUR boat adds many, MANY $$$ to the pot than just the initial purchase price . . .
That said, with every boat we've owned, we, personally have been made richer by the many wide and varied experiences, and the beautiful places:thumb::dance: we've traveled than the amount of $$ we spent on those boats.
Our current boat, over the past 4 1/2 years, has taken us from Seattle, WA, to Glacier Bay, AK, to LaBelle, Florida, and many many places in between. We never in our wildest dreams expect to get out of her what we've spent on her, but the next owner will get a boat that is ready to cross Oceans. . . . for a fraction of the cost that we've spent on her . . . .
 
fault_tolerance said:
Greetings! Long time lurker, first time poster! Our humble little core family of 3 are in the market for 50 - 60 LOA raised pilothouse boat with walk around decks, and a flying bridge. At the helm (a majority of the time) will be my farther, an experienced Bristol Bay commercial fisherman. In the past we've chartered out 47 Selene's. Our price range is somewhere around the $500,000's (give or take pending on what's included / condition). Something with 3 staterooms would be wonderful, but we're open to 2 stateroom. We'd mainly be traveling between WA -> Alaska.

We've been officially been looking for a boat for the past year, but have been keeping an eye on yacht world for quite some time. Our broker has sent a few boats, but we feel that he's a bit pushy, and a little shady. To be fair, he has sent us a couple of boats our way that haven't officially been listed, which is great (prior boats that he's sold that current owners have decided to sell).

Boats that we have taken to survey: 1997 43 (or is it 42?) Nordhavn, and 1979 55 Ocean Alexander (stretched). We've finally come to terms that we won't find one boat that checks all the boxes and we're open minded. Options we'd love to have: propane oven, thrusters (bow or stern), stabilizers would be a bonus, w/d would be a bonus, freshwater maker, oil change system, fuel polishing...You get the idea. Is it a sellers market? Are people holding onto their boats? Are we doomed to miss this season?

We've learned so much from everyone here and hope we can contribute!
Click to expand...
 
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