My Oyster 485 Yacht Isn't Selling – Come See What Buyers Are Missing

I have heard that the teak deck is very thin and has very little life left which makes sense given that the boat is 30 years old with original teak? I prefer boats without teak decks due to the huge maintenance costs of teak. That adds a huge extra cost down the road. At least 70-100k to redo a teak deck on a sailboat, provided no moisture got in to fiberglass deck. Add to that many things that need ongoing annual maintenance and this boat will not be cheap to keep in service. It is very beautiful however.

@thelastpirate Azores looks EPIC, I was looking at properties there too! Where about are you looking? Do you surf? I’m keen for waves and a new life 😎

Man i wouldn't have had the kid. Rather be on the boat!

Apparently the sailboat market has taken a dump over the last year or so. Buyers market for good deals. Whats caused the prices to fall so much?

Man, i have not watched one of your videos for a very long time. Wasnt showing up on my feed for some strange reason. Last one i saw was when you were taking on water on the first outing with her.

Can't believe how much work you have put into her, she looks so much sharper and tidy. It's a shame your are selling up, but when a child comes along, your priorities change significantly.

I watch another sailing channel on YT and they have a kid (im sure you know which one im talking about) and i cant help but think it's selfish keeping the kid isolated on a boat at such a young age, just because you want to keep sailing. They need to be socialising with other kids and be able to play out and do things kids do, not be couped up on a 60ft boat.

It may be hard, but you're doing the best and right thing man.

Take what you can get now. The used recreation market is way oversold and durable goods like a yacht will take years to recover. Possible even decades. Let's not even get into the devaluation of the most stable currency, the dollar. China has stopped buying US treasuries. That has kept the dollar value high for decades and now its over. Get ready for hard times bro.

Instead of trying to FSBO the boat, get a reputable broker to handle the sale. As a former sailboat dealer, I can tell you if a boat isn't selling it's because it's overpriced and 99% of the fizbo (for sale by owner) boats are overpriced.

The second best day of being a boat owner is the day you buy it. The best day is when you sell it.

What a dream boat, it has everything. I watched your channel when you had the wrecked catamaran and didn’t even know you upgraded but this is a really nice one. I like the cabin in the rear.

Whatever happened to that boat to sailed back to Europe for the English couple?

What's the average time it takes to sell a 300k yacht? A quick sale is the result of a low price. If you can afford the time hold your price. If not work out what holding your price will cost in terms of moorings and upkeep. Even with an offer it can take months to get through the process. Sometimes taking a lesser offer or a loss will give you the capital to make up the loss in other ways. Sorry mate. It's a stressful time for you and you have my sympathy.

A beautiful boat ❤.

Yacht markets historically have the largest pricing swings of any commodity. The buy sell cycles have huge curves. There may not be a tougher sellers market than right now in forever. Pandemic is done, people still stinging from world wide inflation, changing climate is creating more dangerous and unpredictable conditions, geo politics around the world are very unstable. So people are more hunkered down nesting, resting, riding things out. You might consider a good leasing company, keep her well conditioned. Make a 5 year plan then reassess. Good luck.

I got 5 on it

GREAT DESCRIPTION OF A 100K MAX OLD BOAT

Great shape 👍

It's easy to sell things for cheap, it's hard to get what they are worth. If I remember correctly, you felt it was a great buy around 100k, and you've certainly added to the value, but it's hard to profit from upgrades. These boats aren't even in the same league as a production built, but for many they accomplish the same thing, and financing is a mighty big hurdle

Center cocpit, no room, furling mainsail, problems, old and expensive

Gorgeous yacht.

The Oyster looks so good. Im surprised it has'nt sold asap.

She's a beautiful yacht.
More importantly, it's nice getting a walkthrough from someone who's actually gone cruising. You know what is relevant and what needs pointing out. We've all seen the amateurs and their useless walkthroughs.

When did you buy this boat? Was any maintemance done on the teak deck?

Perhaps your boat , is for the price, not so good what you think 😉

This boat is kick butt no question about it. you know your stuff and has all the wish list of any sailor without a doubt. Not to be nosy but if I recall you used money from a kick starter campaign just curious how that would work as you sell your boat ?

You can always buy new boat, can't say that about children.

I just saw your boat on yacht sales for 299 for a 1993 & then I saw a 1992 for 179k & that looks awesome. while that one is on the market for that price you won't be selling your boat unless you drop your price by 100k.

In this boat market! You may get 30% of what you’re asking. Maybe. Possibly advertisers could contribute.

Nice

Maybe present to the boat shoppers that you're open to TRADE for a house or land!!!!!!!
If you get the right trade you can use the house or land.
If it's not just right for you, I'll wager it's easier to sell a house at 300K or land at 300K
compared to selling a decades old boat at 300K.
A boat over 300K U.S. is an expensive boat, and yours is DECADES old.
Though it's readily capable to sail the 4/5 oceans, it's still decades old.
I hope you get what you need for the excellent you're offering, God Bless You All.

Beautiful example of a proper blue water cruiser capable of getting you anywhere in the world safely and in comfort. Looks an Excellent specification. Water maker, decent solar array, star link etc. Sure, you can buy a much more modern production boat for the same price, and if you are not looking to cruise offshore and are happy to take a bigger depreciation hit, it may be a better option - but if you are looking to cruise offshore, the smart money is on this boat. Good luck with the sale

woow thats a really lovely boat James how lucky someone will be to own this one ... keep the price its worth every penny how beautiful is she

James , coming from a sailor USN, i don't think you will truly happy in a in shore life,Iknow you keep telling yourself that your daughter loves the shore life and she wants to be with people and all that , but let me tell you from experience that i was in the same circumstance as you only it was in reverse and now at 78 years old and my kids are all grown up they don't even come see me any more, so take some good advice and think really hard, you have been sailing all your life this is what you know and make a living at, dont let the trappings fool you, just wanted to be the only one telling you this, it is not for you, trust me as parley says don't let your self be fooled

Done 10,000's of miles on her smaller sister, a 435, this is sooooo familiar. I think 300K is a lot of money, for what, a mid-90's boat (?) ...and I never did understand in-mast furling. On the 435 we removed that, and flaked the main on the boom. I think, sadly, it's a buyers market and despite the obvious quality of an Oyster it's a tough sell at that price.

Ppl that use their kids for views are gross af.

Hi James,
I,m a current owner of a CS36 and looking to move up and start my sailing adventures on a bigger "blue water" boat. As a long time follower, I love your boat and what you have done. Is the boat still available?

There may be less than a dozen men in the entire US with the means and the desire to purchase this kind of boat. A tough sell.

Very nice yacht! With the two hurricanes needless to say we have an ice cold market. That plus many want to.m Avoid the winter storage charge with some just walking away. Best bet right now is wait till spring

I expect you are asking too much in this buyers market.

Hooray boat prices crashing

You're a chump simp

Really sad that you are giving up sailing. You are the reason (and plucky 😋) I have started my sailing journey. However you are now on another amazing adventure, I wish you, anna and baby all the best. Please keep dropping videos and if you ever get back on the water there are lots of people waiting.

Also when plucky gets his CAT on the water, please visit him and help with shake down, you 2 are dynamite together.

Watching the tour and remembering the first tour you gave after you first got her… quite an impressive difference! Best of luck.

woww pristine!

Very special boat that will only continue to become more special. They don’t make them like this anymore

What a beautiful boat. Being a total land lubber I plan to take a 5 day sailing course in February to see if I even like it. If I do and if she's still available I'll contact you.

HA!
Kids suck …lol
I’ll give you $5 for your boat.

Omg, how stinking cute!

Thanks for watching!! Don't forget to LIKE the video. Please come see me at the boat show! -J