🚀 go-pugleaf

	My analysis is that the value of used sailboats has dropped
because of a structrual change in the sailboat market.  I doubt
that the current low prices are the result of cyclical changes.
	In looking at new sailboats that have been manufactured in the
past two or three years, I am continually amazed at the increase
in usable living space and increased appeal of the interiors.  The
new boats tend to have wider beams, and the floorplans make better
use of the space.  Instead of narrow floors down the center of
the main cabin, they now follow the hull line to increase the 
open space.  Instead of a small clasical quarter-berth, quarter-
berths are now frequently built as doubles which utilize previously
wasted space under the cockpit.  On some thirty foot boats, there
may even be a door which makes this into a separate cabin.  I have
never seen a thirty footer (that had a reasonable PHRF rating) built
in the mid 70's which had this kind of feature.  In addition, performance
appears to have improved for a given boat size. There are other
differences, but essentially the sailboat that is built today has
evolved quite a bit from and is comperable to a larger boat that was built
ten years ago.  Basically, today's boat is much more appealing to the
boat buying public.  Low values for many older boats is a natural
consequence.  On the other hand, there are many boats which have
clear market niches and are holding their value.  The Sabre line is
one example, Cape Dory appears to be another.  The J-24 is only now
begining to slide in value as J-boats has filled in their line between
the 24' and the 30'.
	Note that there is no free lunch.  My feeling is that many older
boats are frequently designed to make safer offshore cruisers and racers. 
Beamier boats are more likely to capsize, and have a decreased righting
moment once they have turned turtle.  The interiors, while more attractive,
are designed more for living at a slip than sailing on watches with part
of the crew sleeping at sea.  It depends on what you want and are willing
to afford.
	I should probably state my bias.  I am currently sifting through
the market for a boat because the values of older boats have fallen.  If
I had the money I would by an early 80's boat(C&C29, J-30, S-2 9.1, etc).
As it is, I'm looking for an older 30'+ which I can use for a season and
update to current standards for next winter's "project".



	Charles Ball
	..{ima,ihnp4}!inmet!cball