Rod makes a number of very valid and interesting points.  But I believe that
the market is different in various parts of the US/world, and different in
power vs sail.  We sailed for many years without Air conditioning, but we find
that in power boats, time is spent more in marinas, or at anchor in places
where there is less breeze, so that the vast majority of power boats (cat or
mono hull, even in the 25 foot range are offered with air conditioning and
generators.  If you look at the used PDQ 34's for sail, they have air
conditioning and gensets.  Even 20 years ago, gas powered higher end outboard
boats where being offered with diesel gensets--such as the Grady Whites.  The
Glacier Bay and World cats in the 26 to 35 foot range have an option of
airconditioning and a genset--many are equipt this way--especially in Florida
and East Coast.  (there may be a factor of us wanting more comfort as we age
too).  Even the sailing cats are more frequently being sold or retrofitted
with gensets and AC.  In our market (Gulf coast) this is almost essential for
a power cat.

I certainly agree about the accessories and cost.

Resale value can be slightly missleading.  Many quality sailboats are selling
for more than the "cost" new--but that does not account for inflation.  My
first  1960 25 foot power boat cost $5000 new (and still sells for that)--and
I bought a new 25 foot power boat about 2 years ago--and the cost was close to
$150,000 (with accessories).  But if you look at the more recent part of the
curve on the power cats--the Glacier Bays tend to decrease, perhaps not as
much as some of the high volume monohulls, but are selling for less than
"cost", even when repowered with newer engines.  Todays boat market may not be
typical, but there is a "new" 2006 pretty well rigged 2006 PDQ for $329,000
(MSRP $365,000) vs several 2003 --2004 vintage boats for $230,000 (probably
sell for less).  New Glacier Bay 2690's run around $150,000, there is a 2005
for $75,000.

I had a discussion with Bob Smith of American Diesel and his prediction (which
seems to be holding true) is that the high speed, light, highly turboed
diesels (as used in many of these light wieght cats) will probably only go
2000 to 3000 hours vs the 10,000 hours we would expect of the Ford
Lehman/Perkins (realistically many of these are also majored at 5000 or so
hours, but probably because of lack of use or being abused.

Bob Austin

Bob, I suspect that a rec boat with new diesels will run fewer hours
regardless of engine design because fuel costs will limit it.  With diesel
just shy of $4 here in Juneau and headed skyward quickly, I'm hoping I have
enough money to wear out a diesel, especially after shelling out the $$ for
a new boat.  As fuel costs go up, the cost of the fuel that the engine burns
could be many times the cost of the diesel engine itself.  That's probably
the case already.

I sold my 9 yr old aluminum powercat last summer for what it cost plus
upgrades (not accounting for inflation).  In the PNW aluminum boats seem to
hold their value very well due to their low maintenance and abuse tolerance.
I'm guessing that same boat would have a much poorer resale on the East
Coast, and especially Florida where it would be intolerable.

Bob Deering
Juneau, Alaska