Time to Buy That Catamaran: Approaching the Bottom
Why 2024 - 2025 is the Perfect Time to Buy a Catamaran
The cruising sailboat market, particularly for catamarans, has undergone a dramatic shift in recent years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for catamarans skyrocketed, creating an unprecedented seller’s market. From spring 2020 to late 2022, catamaran availability dwindled as buyers snapped up inventory faster than ever before. Lead times for new catamarans extended to 3-5 years, brokers handled bidding wars, and sellers saw profits on what historically had been a depreciating asset.
Today, the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction. The market has corrected itself, with supply chains back to pre-COVID norms and demand tapering off to “normal” levels. While the 2024-2025 market may seem uncertain, buyers have a lot to look forward to. Political uncertainty, concerns over the Atlantic hurricane season, and broader uncertainty economic factors are now mostly in the rearview mirror—this is a golden opportunity for savvy buyers looking to secure high-quality catamarans at exceptional value.
Why the Catamaran Market is Favorable for Buyers
One of the key drivers of today’s buyer-friendly market is the influx of post-COVID catamaran listings. Many who purchased during the pandemic boom are now selling, resulting in increased supply. Combine this with continued inflation stabilization, improving GDP metrics, and more favorable lending conditions, and we have a trifecta win for serious buyers.
Catamaran Market Trends: Leopard 45
Consider the award-winning Leopard 45 catamaran as an example. Models from 2021 and 2022 are now listed for approximately $750,000, compared to their original purchase price of $1,000,000-$1,100,000. That’s a remarkable 30% depreciation in just 2-3 years—almost double the typical rate.
Earlier this year, six highly upgraded Leopard 45s (3-cabin models) were listed across North America and the Caribbean, with an average time on the market of three months. These listings often saw price reductions of $50,000 or more. Just months earlier, similar Leopard 45s were selling for close to $900,000. This sharp decline underscores the tremendous value now available for this model in the catamaran market.
Catamaran Market Trends: Lagoon 42
Another standout opportunity is the Lagoon 42 catamaran, a favorite among cruising enthusiasts. As of this writing, 14 Lagoon 42 owners’ versions are available in North America and the Caribbean. These listings average 180 days on the market and have an average list price of $603,568, with 70% of them experiencing at least one price reduction.
Over the past six months, six Lagoon 42s sold for an average price of $582,353, with an average market time of 149 days. A year earlier, the same period saw only four Lagoon 42 sales at an average price of $602,500, with a much shorter market time of just 52 days.
Historically, when the gap between list price and sales price narrows to 3% (currently at 3.5%) and market times exceed 182 days (now at 180), demand increases, and the supply of high-quality pre-owned catamarans begins to tighten. If you’re considering a Lagoon 42, now may be the perfect time to act.
Why Act Now?
The Leopard 45 and Lagoon 42 are just two examples of the unique opportunities for the 2024-2025 catamaran buying season. As boat sellers come to terms with current market realities, experienced buyers have the chance to capture exceptional deals. Waiting for the right metrics—such as narrowing price gaps and longer market times—can pay dividends for buyers.
For sellers, this shifting market underscores the importance of working with an experienced yacht broker. A knowledgeable broker can position your boat strategically, ensuring she stands out in a competitive landscape. Sellers who price and market their boats correctly will see faster results, while others may struggle to attract offers, ultimately leading to a stale listing that is extremely tough to recover from.
The Bottom Line
Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a catamaran, understanding current market trends is essential. The influx of nearly new, well-optioned catamarans from the post-COVID boom has created a rare window of opportunity for buyers. With popular models like the Leopard 45 and Lagoon 42 showing significant value, now is the time to act.
Are you ready to make your move? Whether you’re buying your first catamaran or upgrading to your dream boat, the 2024-2025 season offers unparalleled opportunities to find the perfect fit at an exceptional price.