Options that make a boat a must-have, especially on resale
When you’re in the process of buying a new or used boat, it’s important to consider the components on board, first and foremost for you and your criteria, but also to maintain excellent resale value.
Today in 2025, boaters are looking for well-equipped boats, even under the 40-foot mark, whether new or pre-owned.
So, to help you, we’ve compiled a list of important points to consider.
Of course, this list will help you make a better choice, but it also highlights the importance of including as many features as possible in your boat selection. They may not all be present, but this will help you to evaluate your choices.
Here’s a list of options for recent and very recent boats to consider on board:
– Gyroscope stabilization (Seakeeper or Quick) from 36′ or 38′ ft.
– Replace Bennett trim tabs with Zipwake or Intercepteur.
– Joystick and/or bow & stern thrusters and/or Yacht Controller
– Maximum refrigeration capacity (several units)
– Ideally, a night vision camera
– Depending on the manufacturer’s availability for the model, a hydraulic platform (see its capacity).
– The most powerful engine(s) available from the manufacturer for this model, which very often translates into better fuel consumption at moderate speeds. There’s a clear trend towards outboard engines, especially from the USA and Europe.
– An on-board generator in a soundproof box (really important) or lithium batteries (LifePo4) with monitoring manager (with wifi and/or Bluetooth) and a powerful inverter capable of running the air conditioning for over 6 hours.
– Solar panels
– Separate shower for the washroom or in a separate cabin.
– The forward section of the yacht is inviting (lounge style).
– Electric sunshade (for protection from the sun)
– If it’s a flybridge, opt for a staircase rather than a ladder.
Some very important factors to check:
– Boat empty weight (hard to find) compared with other models in the category
– Number of external drains to evacuate rainwater or wave water
– Porthole closing mechanism (plastic?)
– The anchor is connected to a chain or rope and what is the length of the chain…(we prefer a chain).
– Capacity of black water tank (toilet) if you plan weekends at anchor. 40 us gallons is a minimum and ideally, you need more…
– If the boat is powered by PODS ZEUS, the availability of parts may prove difficult.
– If the engines are gasoline-powered, customers are bound to become very reluctant to buy after 1,000 hours. Proof of exemplary maintenance is a must.
– And of course, canvas is becoming less and less popular, so if a patio door is present, that’s a plus…
A few images of some of our features:
Seakeeper
ZIPWAKE
SIONYX or FLIR (night vision camera)
The best advice, whether for a new or used boat, is that a pre-purchase inspection is essential, and should be carried out by a real professional with references.
You also need to consider the ratio between boat weight and engine power. For some years now, some manufacturers have only mentioned light weight or full weight, in order to reduce the importance of dry weight, which is an important factor in determining the robustness of a hull.
Be careful when searching for weights on the web, as there are many errors concerning Dry Weight, which is often the maximum weight without explicit mention.
For example, for the 51-53-foot flybridge category:
Beneteau 50 SportFly: dry Weight: 29115 lbs
Prestige 520 Flybridge: dry weight: 31,084 lbs
Absolute 52 Flybridge : dry weight : 36,000 lbs
Carver 52 Flybridge : dry weight : 42,000 lbs
Sea Ray 510 Flybridge : dry weight: 44,623 lbs
Azimut 53 Flybridge (old) : dry weight: 48,501 lbs
Tiara 53 Flybridge : dry weight: 51,300 lbs
Sunseeker 52 Manhattan (Fly): dry weight: 59,524 lbs
Between the first and the last, there’s a difference of almost 30,000 lbs, and that’s a lot. In a wave, let’s say quite ferocious, which boat you want to be in…
But on a lake or river, that takes on relative importance.
You have to take into account where you’re sailing.
Prestige 520 fly Sunseeker Manhattan 52
Some manufacturers, such as Azimut, have been using carbon fiber more and more in recent years (this is mentioned in the technical data sheet), which improves the boat’s handling since it reduces the weight of high components such as the flybridge, so the boat’s center of gravity is lower, which is excellent.
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You can see the arch and flybridge in carbon fiber, but it’s never used for the submerged part (the lower hull), given the soundproofing problem it causes with the wave on the hull.
In short, to make an excellent transaction on many levels, contact a broker from Ita Yachts Canada and its ProprioBateau division. You’ll be in good hands with our advice and professional approach (step by step) to the acquisition of any new or pre-owned boat.
DISCLAIMER
The article presented on this page is for information purposes only. This information is provided as editorial (i.e. opinion). The information presented in this article is presented in good faith and, while believed to be correct, is not guaranteed. Ita Yachts Canada does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of the information and/or images displayed, as they do not suggest anything in relation to this article, indeed no association can be made with respect to the images and the article. All information in this article is subject to change without notice and is without warranty. It is the reader’s responsibility to verify the descriptions and statements contained in this article. The brokers at Ita Yachts Canada assume no responsibility for any conclusions the reader may draw. The purpose of this article is to promote boating in all its forms. It gives one point of view among many. Any reproduction of this article is prohibited.
