Used 1x prices - unrealistic expectations ?

[pmacaula]

I have been looking at the row2k classifieds recently, thinking if I found the right boat at the right price, I might pick one up for my teenaged son.
Thinking is that he has been rowing seriously enough that it might be worthwhile to get an older boat for him to use when:
1. The numbers at a juniors workout don't work (5 or 7 or 9 kids), he can go out and
2. We go up to a cottage for a few weeks.
I also think it would be good for him to learn how to rig and care for a boat properly.

Over the past few months, I have seen almost nothing below US$2500+, including 30 year old wooden boats that appear NOT
to include the bits that would make them 'ready to row' packages (oars/roof rack/s.c.wiring/boat covers). So, add at least
$500 to the price and significantly increased hassle factor.
In the 'make me laugh' category, there was a winter posting for a ~2012 Staempfli 1x for $15K.
All in all, the prices seem WAY high to me.

Am I just cheap/unrealistic ? Are these boats actually selling at or near their asking prices ?
Are people asking for a lot more than their boats are worth & are likely to accept significantly less ?

Cheers. Patrick.

[Mango]

Yes you're being unrealistic. 2500 for a 1x won't get you much. I bought my 3 year old (at the time) Fluid used for 6k, and I got a great deal with oars and a rack.

You're dealing with a little bit of a niche product built with expensive materials (carbon fiber)

[pmacaula]

Mango,
Thanks.
For clarity, my interest is in older boats (> 10 y.o.) & might be ok with a wooden boat.
There is something wrong in my view if you can buy a 3 y.o. Fluid with oars, etc for $6K and there are multiple people trying to sell 30 y.o. wooden boats without oars, etc for $2.5K.

[1xsculler]

$6000 for a three year old Fluid EL or Fluidfirst model is about right and $2500 for a really nice thirty year old wooden Staempfli, Pocock, Hudson or Empacher is also about right and you can find all of these boats at these prices on row2k if you're persistent and patient.

The 2004 Wintech International on row2k for $3000 now is one of the best buys I've seen lately. It's not mine and I don't know the person who is selling it.

[frisky]

You get what you pay for! Good luck! For some it has to be yellow!

[Bucky]

The glass is half full Patrick!
Older boats of quality and decent condition serve the performance needs of most competitive rowers, and keep value.

So $3000 after you buy it for too much and take decent care of it, you might eat 500$ cost of holding and maintaining that shell when you sell it two years later for whatever reason.

Please,for you and wood boat fans, consider that a wood boat is probably going to need more attention than your teen son cares to give.

[petermech]

The W1X at the US junior trials this past weekend was won in a 22 year old Van Dusen. Newer Van Dusen singles were available, the older one was just as good and a former winner at speed orders.

[porsche5k]

The W1X at the US junior trials this past weekend was won in a 22 year old Van Dusen. Newer Van Dusen singles were available, the older one was just as good and a former winner at speed orders.

Plenty of exceptionally fast times are put down in older VDs at the Charles and other races I have attended.