Untitled Document

THE MARKET FOR SADLERS AND STARLIGHTS (Sept-96)
1 INTRODUCTION. About a year ago I wrote a short article for the Owner's magazine which covered the market for Sadlers and Starlights and indicated selling prices which could be achieved. After a further year in the market place, we have sold over 60 Sadlers and Starlights and have been involved in the marketing of many more. As a result of experience gained over the past two years, we are in a good position to advise the Association membership through this magazine as regards the steps that should be taken to sell their boat and the sort of price that could be achieved. 2 SADLER 25. This was of course the first Sadler to be designed by David Sadler and is generally recognised as an excellent sailing boat with good club racing potential, with a perceived purchase price of between £8,000 and £10,000. There is a wide range of standard of finish and general condition amongst the boats available. It does appear that about half of all boats built were probably home completed and the standard of finish varies enormously. Most of the older boats have Petter Mini 6 engines, with later boats being fitted with a variety of rather better power units being BMW, Yanmar and occasionally Volvo saildrive. There is a demand for deep fin and bilge keel, which is evenly balanced, but availability of boats is generally fin, with fewer of the bilge keel 25s coming onto the market. As far as price is concerned, with average inventory and sail wardrobe, furling headsail and good condition, for boats upto 1979 the achieved price is between £8,000 and £9,000. Boats built between 1979 and 1981 are generally better finished and have the advantage of later rig and sails. These seem to fetch between £9,000 and £10,000 with upto £11,000 for a really good boat. Many 25 buyers seek a trailer, which will add £500 to the price. 3 SADLER 26. The first boats appeared in 1982 (following the early success of the 29 in 1981) and over 200 of these were built. Little change was made to the specification until 1989 when minor improvements, were brought about by Sadler International, along with changes to the other Sadler boats. The boat was initially fitted with the Bukh 10 engine, which was superceded by the Volvo 2001. This is a boat with comparable performance to the Sadler 25, but with 20% more displacement, nearly 18" more water line length, 4" more headroom, full interior moulding (providing unsinkability) and general improvements and refinements down below. Selling price of the early boats is about £18,000 and boats ten to twelve years old fetch £20,000 to £22,000, providing condition is good and inventory average. Selling prices of upto £25,000 are achievable for the later boats upto 1989/90 in really good condition. Demand is generally for bilge keel 26s, but the few people seeking fin keel will pay the price. It does take longer to find a customer for a fin keel 26 (because there are fewer of them around), but the full price is achievable in due course. 4 SADLER 29. This is the most numerous of all Sadlers ever built and has a loyal following. It was the first of the "unsinkables" produced by Sadlers and it is not uncommon to find early boats still with original owners. A total of some 360 have been built, again with little change in specification as the years have ticked by. Most 29s have the Bukh 20 engine, which in due course was superceded by the Volvo 2002. The modest changes introduced by Sadler International in 1989 are sought after by buyers, who sometimes think that more was done to the boat than in reality was so. However, the fitting of three windows per side, rather than two windows, which were introduced about 1987 is a notable feature, sought after by many customers. I have recently sold a boat with four windows per side (modification carried out by owner), which certainly looked attractive. Also at about the same time, a modification to the coachroof moulding provided more space at the galley and easier access into the quarter berth. As far as keels are concerned, about two thirds of those coming on the market are fitted with bilge keel and the remainder with fin, although a few have shallow fin keels. Most buyers seek bilge keel, but my comments regarding fin keels for the 26 apply equally to the 29. 5 SADLER 32. Build of the Sadler 32 commenced in 1979 following the resounding success of the Sadler 25. These boats were designed by David Sadler who optimised both boats to rate favourably under the current IOR rule. Following his experience with designing the Contessa 26 and 32, the Sadler 25 and 32 were natural evolutions of the Contessa class of yacht. The Sadler 32 has particular appeal in the boat market for it's excellent sailing qualities (still considered to be the best sailing boat Sadler ever produced), the straight sheer and cambered decks giving good accommodation and also keeping the boat dry on deck. David built long berths into the boat and optimised the headroom (he was over 6' tall) and all inside ccommodation is generously proportioned for a boat of this age. The maximum price that most buyers are prepared to pay for an older 32 is about £25,000. This is the price for an average condition Sadler 32 around twelve to fourteen years old. Where condition is below average (and many are!), then the price will drop closer to £20,000. However, where condition is good and inventory is comprehensive, then the price of the same boat can be as high as £28,000. The later 32s in good condition and comprehensive inventory are around £35,000. I have now sold several 32s aged between 1986 and 1990 at between £34,000 and £38,000. As far as keels are concerned, most buyers seeks a deep fin keel boat, or shallow fin as a second choice. The majority of Sadler 32s were fitted with fin keels and if I were to guess at the proportions, I would say that half of the Sadler 32s are deep fin, nearly half are shallow fin and very few are bilge keel or lifting keel. 6 SADLER 34. There is a steady market for this boat with buyers generally upgrading from a previous smaller Sadler. The main demand is for a 34 in good condition 1986 and later. Many customers look for boats that were built by Sadler International and therefore have the later upgrades, particularly the Stephen Jones keel. The requirements are almost always for comprehensive inventory, careful use, good condition, epoxy bottom. Many customers are prepared to spend between £44,000 and £50,000 for the right boat 1986 and later to 1990. There are a number of customers looking for the older boats, but they do expect to pay below £40,000, hence the early 34s with evidence of wear and tear are in the region of £35,000. Sale price 7 STARLIGHT 35. There is an excellent demand for this boat and we have a substantial number of customers on our lists waiting for the next 35 to come along. Customers are prepared to pay a price between £80,000 and £85,000. Achieved prices have been as low as £80,000 for the earlier boats (1991/92), which have not been maintained to a high standard. However, the comprehensively equipped Starlight 35 1993 and later will fetch upto £100,000. At this figure of course, the inventory is expected to be comprehensive and condition excellent. Most 35s have wing keels with only about five having been fitted with fin. About 65 boats have now been built to date. Early boats were fitted with the Volvo 2003 upto number 18 and then the Perkins M30 with Aquadrive. This was followed by the Volvo 2030 until about boat 49 when the Perkins Lister 30 was introduced. There is general acceptance of whatever engine the builder may have fitted, with no preference for a particular make. 8 STARLIGHT 39. There is a steady market for 39s, though smaller than for the 35. We have a number of customers on our lists who have asked us to seek out boats for them. The average older boat with evidence of wear and tear commands a price of about £100,000., these boats being built in 1990 to 1991. However, with comprehensive inventory and good condition this figure can rise for a 1992/95 boat to between £105,000 and £110,000. As the boats become more recent, better equipped and with evidence of careful maintenance, then achievable prices are in the region of £130,000. We have recently sold such a boat, which would have had a new price tag of over £200,000 (with it's very comprehensive inventory), so clearly even this high price offers good value, when compared with a new boat. The buyer of a Starlight 39 is always a discerning customer and is looking at a range of alternatives. Nearly 40 boats have been built to date with almost all of them being wing keel. Engines have varied with the initial installation being the Ford Mermaid 57 hp followed by Ford Watermota and subsequently the Lister Perkins 40. With the exception of the prototype, all 39s were fitted with the same interior moulding and polyurethane foam filling, which is a 'plus' point in the market place. Steady improvements were made in the 39 as time progressed, which are noted by the buyer as desirable features and these include teak clad instrument console, change of interior colour from grey to cream and various interior improvements which have taken place over the years. These features make no difference to the sale of the boat, but they do all lead to an enhanced price. The key to a successful sale is always condition, and time should be spent preparing the boat to as high a standard as possible. 9 GENERAL COMMENTS TO CLINCHING A SALE. There is no doubt that the condition of the boat is vitally important and it has been our experience that time spent (or money!) in achieving a high standard of presentation helps us to clinch a quick sale at the right price. Details should be attended to carefully and reference to my notes written in the Association magazine in January '95 may be helpful. If any member requires a copy of these notes, please give us a call. Broadly speaking, the first step is to empty the boat of all equipment that is not in the specification, all personal gear, food etc. These steps are not essential, but are very helpful. The boat should be brought upto a high standard of cleanliness including bilges, food areas, sail locker and lazarette. Concentrate on polishing up GRP areas, particularly around the cockpit and topsides. Repair cavita line tape where damaged (we can supply repair kits in red/blue and blue/grey), clean up all stainless steel on deck and ensure that silicone grease and oil are applied liberally to moving or corroded parts and equipment. This is an outward sign of careful maintenance by the owner. 10 CONCLUSION. We will be pleased to supplement the above notes with further detailed information and any Association member considering selling their Sadler or buying a new one is very welcome to telephone me and discuss prospects and the best strategy for selling. We have sold over 60 Sadlers and Starlights in the last two years and now have an almost profound knowledge of what the customer is seeking, how to present the boat and the most painless route to selling. Our customer database is over 600 and we are frequently in touch with buyers throughout UK and increasingly into Europe.

THE MARKET FOR SADLERS AND STARLIGHTS (Sept-96)

1 INTRODUCTION. About a year ago I wrote a short article for the Owner's magazine which covered the market for Sadlers and Starlights and indicated selling prices which could be achieved. After a further year in the market place, we have sold over 60 Sadlers and Starlights and have been involved in the marketing of many more.

As a result of experience gained over the past two years, we are in a good position to advise the Association membership through this magazine as regards the steps that should be taken to sell their boat and the sort of price that could be achieved.

2 SADLER 25. This was of course the first Sadler to be designed by David Sadler and is generally recognised as an excellent sailing boat with good club racing potential, with a perceived purchase price of between £8,000 and £10,000.

There is a wide range of standard of finish and general condition amongst the boats available. It does appear that about half of all boats built were probably home completed and the standard of finish varies enormously. Most of the older boats have Petter Mini 6 engines, with later boats being fitted with a variety of rather better power units being BMW, Yanmar and occasionally Volvo saildrive.

There is a demand for deep fin and bilge keel, which is evenly balanced, but availability of boats is generally fin, with fewer of the bilge keel 25s coming onto the market.

As far as price is concerned, with average inventory and sail wardrobe, furling headsail and good condition, for boats upto 1979 the achieved price is between £8,000 and £9,000. Boats built between 1979 and 1981 are generally better finished and have the advantage of later rig and sails. These seem to fetch between £9,000 and £10,000 with upto £11,000 for a really good boat. Many 25 buyers seek a trailer, which will add £500 to the price.

3 SADLER 26. The first boats appeared in 1982 (following the early success of the 29 in 1981) and over 200 of these were built. Little change was made to the specification until 1989 when minor improvements, were brought about by Sadler International, along with changes to the other Sadler boats. The boat was initially fitted with the Bukh 10 engine, which was superceded by the Volvo 2001.

This is a boat with comparable performance to the Sadler 25, but with 20% more displacement, nearly 18" more water line length, 4" more headroom, full interior moulding (providing unsinkability) and general improvements and refinements down below.

Selling price of the early boats is about £18,000 and boats ten to twelve years old fetch £20,000 to £22,000, providing condition is good and inventory average. Selling prices of upto £25,000 are achievable for the later boats upto 1989/90 in really good condition. Demand is generally for bilge keel 26s, but the few people seeking fin keel will pay the price. It does take longer to find a customer for a fin keel 26 (because there are fewer of them around), but the full price is achievable in due course.

4 SADLER 29. This is the most numerous of all Sadlers ever built and has a loyal following. It was the first of the "unsinkables" produced by Sadlers and it is not uncommon to find early boats still with original owners. A total of some 360 have been built, again with little change in specification as the years have ticked by. Most 29s have the Bukh 20 engine, which in due course was superceded by the Volvo 2002.

The modest changes introduced by Sadler International in 1989 are sought after by buyers, who sometimes think that more was done to the boat than in reality was so. However, the fitting of three windows per side, rather than two windows, which were introduced about 1987 is a notable feature, sought after by many customers.

I have recently sold a boat with four windows per side (modification carried out by owner), which certainly looked attractive. Also at about the same time, a modification to the coachroof moulding provided more space at the galley and easier access into the quarter berth.

As far as keels are concerned, about two thirds of those coming on the market are fitted with bilge keel and the remainder with fin, although a few have shallow fin keels. Most buyers seek bilge keel, but my comments regarding fin keels for the 26 apply equally to the 29.

5 SADLER 32. Build of the Sadler 32 commenced in 1979 following the resounding success of the Sadler 25. These boats were designed by David Sadler who optimised both boats to rate favourably under the current IOR rule. Following his experience with designing the Contessa 26 and 32, the Sadler 25 and 32 were natural evolutions of the Contessa class of yacht.

The Sadler 32 has particular appeal in the boat market for it's excellent sailing qualities (still considered to be the best sailing boat Sadler ever produced), the straight sheer and cambered decks giving good accommodation and also keeping the boat dry on deck. David built long berths into the boat and optimised the headroom (he was over 6' tall) and all inside ccommodation is generously proportioned for a boat of this age.

The maximum price that most buyers are prepared to pay for an older 32 is about £25,000. This is the price for an average condition Sadler 32 around twelve to fourteen years old. Where condition is below average (and many are!), then the price will drop closer to £20,000. However, where condition is good and inventory is comprehensive, then the price of the same boat can be as high as £28,000.

The later 32s in good condition and comprehensive inventory are around £35,000. I have now sold several 32s aged between 1986 and 1990 at between £34,000 and £38,000.

As far as keels are concerned, most buyers seeks a deep fin keel boat, or shallow fin as a second choice. The majority of Sadler 32s were fitted with fin keels and if I were to guess at the proportions, I would say that half of the Sadler 32s are deep fin, nearly half are shallow fin and very few are bilge keel or lifting keel.

6 SADLER 34. There is a steady market for this boat with buyers generally upgrading from a previous smaller Sadler. The main demand is for a 34 in good condition 1986 and later. Many customers look for boats that were built by Sadler International and therefore have the later upgrades, particularly the Stephen Jones keel. The requirements are almost always for comprehensive inventory, careful use, good condition, epoxy bottom. Many customers are prepared to spend between £44,000 and £50,000 for the right boat 1986 and later to 1990.

There are a number of customers looking for the older boats, but they do expect to pay below £40,000, hence the early 34s with evidence of wear and tear are in the region of £35,000. Sale price

7 STARLIGHT 35. There is an excellent demand for this boat and we have a substantial number of customers on our lists waiting for the next 35 to come along. Customers are prepared to pay a price between £80,000 and £85,000. Achieved prices have been as low as £80,000 for the earlier boats (1991/92), which have not been maintained to a high standard. However, the comprehensively equipped Starlight 35 1993 and later will fetch upto £100,000. At this figure of course, the inventory is expected to be comprehensive and condition excellent.

Most 35s have wing keels with only about five having been fitted with fin. About 65 boats have now been built to date. Early boats were fitted with the Volvo 2003 upto number 18 and then the Perkins M30 with Aquadrive. This was followed by the Volvo 2030 until about boat 49 when the Perkins Lister 30 was introduced. There is general acceptance of whatever engine the builder may have fitted, with no preference for a particular make.

8 STARLIGHT 39. There is a steady market for 39s, though smaller than for the 35. We have a number of customers on our lists who have asked us to seek out boats for them.

The average older boat with evidence of wear and tear commands a price of about £100,000., these boats being built in 1990 to 1991. However, with comprehensive inventory and good condition this figure can rise for a 1992/95 boat to between £105,000 and £110,000. As the boats become more recent, better equipped and with evidence of careful maintenance, then achievable prices are in the region of £130,000. We have recently sold such a boat, which would have had a new price tag of over £200,000 (with it's very comprehensive inventory), so clearly even this high price offers good value, when compared with a new boat.

The buyer of a Starlight 39 is always a discerning customer and is looking at a range of alternatives. Nearly 40 boats have been built to date with almost all of them being wing keel. Engines have varied with the initial installation being the Ford Mermaid 57 hp followed by Ford Watermota and subsequently the Lister Perkins 40.

With the exception of the prototype, all 39s were fitted with the same interior moulding and polyurethane foam filling, which is a 'plus' point in the market place. Steady improvements were made in the 39 as time progressed, which are noted by the buyer as desirable features and these include teak clad instrument console, change of interior colour from grey to cream and various interior improvements which have taken place over the years. These features make no difference to the sale of the boat, but they do all lead to an enhanced price.

The key to a successful sale is always condition, and time should be spent preparing the boat to as high a standard as possible.

9 GENERAL COMMENTS TO CLINCHING A SALE. There is no doubt that the condition of the boat is vitally important and it has been our experience that time spent (or money!) in achieving a high standard of presentation helps us to clinch a quick sale at the right price. Details should be attended to carefully and reference to my notes written in the Association magazine in January '95 may be helpful. If any member requires a copy of these notes, please give us a call.

Broadly speaking, the first step is to empty the boat of all equipment that is not in the specification, all personal gear, food etc. These steps are not essential, but are very helpful. The boat should be brought upto a high standard of cleanliness including bilges, food areas, sail locker and lazarette. Concentrate on polishing up GRP areas, particularly around the cockpit and topsides. Repair cavita line tape where damaged (we can supply repair kits in red/blue and blue/grey), clean up all stainless steel on deck and ensure that silicone grease and oil are applied liberally to moving or corroded parts and equipment. This is an outward sign of careful maintenance by the owner.

10 CONCLUSION. We will be pleased to supplement the above notes with further detailed information and any Association member considering selling their Sadler or buying a new one is very welcome to telephone me and discuss prospects and the best strategy for selling.

We have sold over 60 Sadlers and Starlights in the last two years and now have an almost profound knowledge of what the customer is seeking, how to present the boat and the most painless route to selling. Our customer database is over 600 and we are frequently in touch with buyers throughout UK and increasingly into Europe.