We went through exactly the same thing when we bought our 53 - found a nice one but decided we couldn't swing it without first selling our '88 36 ft Mainship.
We "had" to get $80k for our 36. But after researching it became obvious that only an idiot would pay that, regardless of the fact that she was in perfect condition with all new interior, refurbed mechanicals, new electronics, a new radar arch, etc, etc, etc. So we spent months discussing the issue. I remember sitting at a resturant over drinks agreeing that the 53 Hatt was just not feasable and we were completely happy with our boat.
Several days later we looked at each other and realized we really wanted the Hatt. So we put the boat on the market and it sold in ONE DAY for 69,900. I had the money in my hand 3 days later. The surveyor could not find a single item to write up. He even asked me if I could tell him about something that didn't work right so he could show something negative on the report.
OK, 69,900 was not 80 but as it turned out it was close enough and we ended up finding an even nicer 53 than the one we had missed out on several months prevously. What's my point?
Well, essentially you have the same choices. You can either accept the fact that you are not going to get what you want for the boat and sell it sooner rather than later for a price someone is willing to pay, or you can "decide" that your current boat is all you want. My experience is that the second choice isn't really all that workable because once you get in the "I want the new boat" mode, it's impossible to get out of.
Now obviously we have to be talking about boats that are within our affordablilty range, whatever that might be. I'd love to have an old 80+ ft Burger but I realize that's financially impossible so it doesn't bother me much to accept the fact that I'll never have one.
But if a 43 is what you want and close to your price range, then the difference is probably not ALL that much in what you wan't for your boat and what you will get. Frankly, if you are talking about financing the new boat, the difference in the loan payment won't amount to all that much regardless of the "hit" you take on your current boat.
If it was me - and a few years ago it was - I'd just put a good price on your current boat to move it quickly. Sitting on it for "your" price won't do anything useful. The longer you sit on it, the more it's costing you anyway.
OK, I'll close this "advice" by stating that I am NOT a financial wizard - quite the contrary. I belong more to the "Buy High, Sell Low" contingent. I don't like to fool around with stuff once I decide to do something and perhaps I could do better money-wise in some cases. So you will probably get much better financial advice from others on this site!
Then again, they all own boats! How financially astute can they be?
. Talked out yet?
