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How to Price a Sailboat: The Step-By-Step Audit YOU Can Do
May 8, 2026 · 12 min · 44K views
What this video covers
James Evenson walks through a systematic, lifespan-based method for pricing a used sailboat, framing the process as a forensic audit rather than a casual inspection.0:34 The central error most buyers make, he argues, is the "interior trap" — walking straight into the cabin and ignoring UV damage, soft decks, and failing deck fittings on the exterior.2:22 The audit requires listing every system on the boat, researching its expected lifespan, determining when it was last replaced on that specific vessel, and projecting replacement cost over a five-to-ten-year ownership window.2:42 Specific lifespans cited: standing rigging at 16 years (with a $20,000 replacement bill), Isotherm refrigeration at roughly 10 years, Technotics at 20-plus years, watermakers at 10–20 years depending on maintenance, and sailboat engines — including Yanmar — at a practical ceiling of around 4,500 hours despite manufacturer claims of 6,000–9,000.3:53 Bronze through-hulls on older boats may have lost structural integrity through zinc leaching; 15 below-waterline replacements run roughly $10,000 at a yard.6:53 Electronics depreciate fast and add little resale value.5:34 Market comparables are available through Yachtworld's broker back-end, similar to an MLS. After calculating deferred maintenance costs, Evenson recommends subtracting that figure plus a 15–20% "hassle tax" from the asking price.8:54 The practical takeaway: buy the best-quality gear once rather than replacing cheap components twice.9:39
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