Value and Price of Used Houseboats? - Depends on Condition and the Market

by Martha
(Frankfort, KY, USA)

Finding the value or price of older used houseboats, seems to depend on the condition and market availability.

No one can tell us a ballpark figure for a 36 ft, 1972, Silver Queen houseboat, and we don't want to spend $700 with a surveyor trying to get the value.

The vessel is in excellent shape inside & out, it also drives well, and the motors are in good condition too.

I hope you can help us out.

Thank you, Kentucky River Rat (Martha)


Reply - Answer
Well Martha, congratulations on your decision on buying a houseboat. I am also sorry to hear about your difficulty in getting a ballpark figure for a older used houseboat.

When it comes to used older houseboat prices, there are resources available, yet they tend to only have pricing on boats up to 20 years old.

Now unfortunately, I don't have a magic figure for you, yet I would assume that most people are having a difficult time to put a value on a houseboat when there so very few comparable Silver Queens around to base it on.

Now I will try an help you, however since I don't have any details, or a list of equipment or options onboard, I can only estimate or guess on a ballpark figure. I would venture out to say that an extremely poor condition, with some structural damage, that a Silver Queen would sell for around a few thousand dollars.


Now a pristine looking, and fully surveyed houseboat of that age, that showed no major or structural damage, and that was in great running condition could sell for @ $15-20,000 dollars. Now bear in mind that this is all subjective.

I have also learned a lesson in life when it comes to a boats value, it is all up to the eyes of the beholder. :)

Do let us know if you end up buying her, and do come back to post a picture and a few comments on your Silver Queen houseboat experience. I am sure others would love to read and see a picture of her.



Lastly, hopefully some of our readers will share and post comments about their experiences on the pricing, or estimating the value of used houseboats. Feel free to use the "Click here to post comments." link found near the bottom of this page.


Thanks again for sharing, IAN - from www.all-about-houseboats.com

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