When purchasing a CRUISER, do you option the boat out the way you would use it or for re-sale ??

If you don't need a gen for 10,000 or a/c for another 5k, do you order it without or just spend the money for a chance on a better resale value ??

Or, do when you reach that level, it's a must standard option ??

This would be for a cruiser 31' or less in length.

FormulaFan, what I would do is first try to determine how you will be using it.

If you're only using it for a day cruiser and don't anticipate overnighting on the boat, then don't worry about a genset and a/c. If you are looking at used boats, most in that size range will have a genset. Some will have a/c, but in your area most will probably not.

If you're looking for a 4-5 year old used boat (which by the way IMHO is the smartest way to buy a boat) it likely will be equipped the way you want. At that age, you're not really paying anything for the genset as its value would disappear in the overall selling price of the boat.

If you are ordering a new boat, consider how much the lack of a genset would COST you when you go to sell. If most boats that size in your area are equipped with a genset, do you want to be selling the only one without a genset?????

We bought our '87 Cruise Air motorhome 2 years ago for $7200, and the generator in it only had 15 hours on it. Virtually every large motorhome has a generator, but even if ours didn't even work, the motorhome would've still sold for around 7 grand...

Everything depreciates, so the $10,000 boat generator will only be worth $5000 in a few years, even if was never used. While it might help SELL the boat, is it worth the extra 5 grand loss?

What is the aftermarket install cost? Often its higher than a factory install. I have tried that route.

Watch your pricing! Gensets go for around $8,500 and A/C for around $3,800.

Drop the Radar before you drop the Genset in a 31' cruiser, would be my thinking.

Drop the genset for a 28' model cruiser.

Drop the A/C for a cuddy.

I don't know that I would specifically purchase an option just for resale; as FR hinted, its like options on a car; the older it gets, the less they are worth.

But I would certainly buy the options you deemed necessary for your use.

For radar, I agree with Seabuddy, as especially they tend to become obsolete within about 5 years - at least obsolete if you have to have the latest electronics gadget.

When we bought our boat it didn't come with a genset. We felt that if it had one, fine, but if not - it would not be a big deal as we never felt the need for one; mostly because when we go cruising, we stay at marinas rather than anchoring out overnight. But we have a nice marina system here, so that probably has a lot to do with it.

But even at 32ft and a 12ft beam, stuffing a genset into the engine compartment of my boat means that there is even less room to access anything in there, one more hole in the boat (with potential for sinking), one more thing that needs maintaining, and one more thing that needs to be winterized.

But all of that would be worth it I suppose if we used a genset enough.

While it is true that most things can be installed aftermarket, and it is a legitimate route to take if you find a killer deal that has everything you want in a used boat but Air Conditioning. Even with adding the cost of installing AC, it then simply becomes a part of the sale. So I would not discount a used boat if it did not have the feature you wanted, if it otherwise was a great boat at a great price. I'd simply factor the cost of the install into the purchase.

But having said that, I installed AC myself in my last boat - 26ft cuddy. And I have to say, it was probably the most difficult task I have ever done. It cost me maybe $2,000 to install, and if asked, I would not do it for someone else for $4,000 - as much of a pain it was. In a bigger boat, not a bad job, but shoehorning one into a 26ft boat, that was really hard.

That brings me to the point that in a 26ft boat, you might have a hard time finding anyone to do the install - at least if they have done that sized boat before. Or, you might find it will cost more due to the difficulty. When the factory installs the unit, they do it prior to putting the deck on, so its not difficult at all. For that reason, installing AC in a small boat might be more expensive than you might have thought. So determine your pricing as Seabuddy suggests.

I would consider the future use of the boat.Many of my friends skipped the genset when buying their boat because they didn't need it. Now,as members of the USPS,they go on weekend raft-ups with us all the time and now regret not having them. A few of them bought the little Honda for running the a/c.and coffeemaker. The lack of a genny is the main reason I am selling my boat!( It was not an option on a 24' boat).Just my 2 cents..
Tommy

Option it for the way you are going to use it.

formula - i agree to option the boat the way you're planning on using it. why spend extra when you won't get much in return and you'll just drag around the extra weight in the mean time? personally, i'd spend the money for the a/c so i could keep the interior comfortable at the slip (and it'll help for a little time while udnerway). i'd buy a portable genny to use IF i needed it on the hook. the other benefit is that a honda genny could be used to help power your fridge at home and maybe some lights if you lose electricity.

tommy - is it the lack of a genny or a/c that has you looking for a different boat? if it's the genny, why not use a portable honda unit? just curious as i'm contemplating adding a/c to my boat and purchasing a honda portable genny. thanks.

Thanks for the info...

When we purchased the Formula from the dealer, they had it very well equipped, but looking at the option pricing we paid over 2k for the upgraded sound which we haven't used the CD or MP3 hook up and really don't need a sub and also paid over 2k for the full canvas which we haven't used yet. Maybe in the next weeks.

If I would spec it out a boat vs. what the dealer had, I would have ordered the Raymarine E80 system over the other two listed options above.

Boat options are hard because what YOU like may be different from what someone else likes or wants...

IMO, A/C is a must have for a small cruiser and resale will take a hit otherwise. While temps in the evening arent terribly high in the northern states, humidity factors can make for some uncomfortable nights.

A genset would be nice if you spend a lot of nights on the hook but otherwise adds too much additional weight and maintenance to the equation for my tastes.

AC is also nice if you get a reverse cycle or electric heat option.

To Bruce,for my overall boating lifstyle,my boat is just too small. When I go on vacation,I use a portable a/c that goes through the hatch. I own a Honda 2000 but there is not a lot of room to hang out in my boat!Those things also take up a lot of space that I don't have. I'm sure it would work well for you in a 32 footer, most of my friends have 32-35 foot boats,and its real nice to go below and cool off on those very hot days..Tommy
A word of caution, in many smaller cruisers,an engine needs to be removed to pull the generator for major service, and that does happen. That can get expensive! Tommy

Having all of these options along with camper enclosure has opened up a huge area of boating for us and as far the electronics it all does depend how you want to use it. For me due to the size of my cruiser I tend to launch and return at night and regularly run 40 to 60 miles at midnight up lake. Along with the ability to cruise all year round and able to cook, heat, provide all the comforts of home. This really helps when you have a bunch of friends with bow riders and you can provide a base boat for longer days and weekends. I can't tell you how many times husbands have come back and told me how much having my boat had made there weekend easier by providing comforts to some of there wives that did not enjoy all day in the sun and heat. As I have gotten older too the more I enjoy my floating RV or as My ex's calls it "the mini yacht. As far as the cost of the options my advice is get what you want upfront in the way of below deck options as it gets very tough after you buy it due to the big payment you already have and no wife likes to hear about upgrades right after you buy. The electronics such as radar and other can easily be added as you go and are DIY.

O ya used the only way to go. Bought mine 2 years old for half what they paid for it. All the bugs worked out.