Why Are Hinckley Yachts So Expensive? (Explained)

It’s a little-known fact that Hinckley was one of the first users of fiberglass in their Bermuda 40, which was launched in 1959, and was last produced in 1991.

Yet over the years, the company changed hands many times, but Hinckley has always been known for their innovation and pursuit of excellence.

Today they offer a range of new jet-driven Picnic Boats, Motor Yachts, and Outboard Yachts ranging in size from 35 to 59 feet.

But why are Hinckley Yachts so expensive? Read on to find out more:

Why Hinckley Yachts are so Expensive:

A Hinckley Yacht has a distinct, classic but modern style that is easily recognizable on the water. As each boat is semi-customized, they are meticulously handcrafted to each owner’s specifications. A new boat can take a team of 25 artisanal craftsmen up to 2 years to complete.

How Much Do Hinckley Boats Cost?

Due to the very nature of these boats, it’s difficult to establish new boat prices – no new boat prices are advertised on the Hinckley website.

However, we have established from online reviews that one of their smaller boats, a new Hinckley Picnic 34S has a base or starting price of $1 million.

In addition, Hinckley Yachts operates a yacht brokerage for second-hand models. A quick look on their website shows that (at the time of writing) they offer 52 Hinckley Yachts for sale.

The least expensive is a Hinckley 35 Pilot Sloop sailing vessel from 1965, which is still offered for $110,000. The most expensive, a Hinckley Talaria 55 MKII Flybridge from 2021, is listed for $6,750,000.

It’s worth noting that the Chairman of Hinckley Yachts, David Howe, even comments that a certified preowned Hinckley Yacht will often sell for more than the original owner paid for them.

Are Hinckley Yachts Built Better than Other Yachts?

Hinckley yachts are considered a great yacht company.

They are one of the few recreational boat builders who use carbon or kevlar composites from bow to stern. These composites are vacuum-infused with epoxy for remarkable strength.

Hinckley was also one of the first US builders to adopt the Seemann Composites Resin Infusion Molding Process (SCRIMP) and remains a world leader in this technology.

With the move to this epoxy resin infusion in 2018, Hinckley Yachts now builds with a resin material of 40% greater strength and improved environmental benefits over fiberglass.

The company believes so strongly in this approach that they offer a unique lifetime guarantee for all its hulls and decks.

In addition, each Hinkley Yacht is built to each individual owner’s specifications.

Hinckley, with its elegant design, latest technology, and use of varnished woods, “speaks to an era of boating that feels like it’s been passed by in favor of bland white hulls and misshapen powerboats.”

[Quote courtesy of bloomberg.com]

Are Hinckley Yachts More Expensive than Similar Brands?

Hinckley Yachts is such a unique and superior brand that it’s difficult to compare similar brands.

The closest brands we can find are the following:

• Back Cove Yachts – is another Maine-based company that builds a range of luxury yachts that epitomize traditional Maine values.
• MJM Yachts – also uses high-tech, epoxy composite construction for their collection of 4 luxury models, ranging in size from 30 to 42 feet.
• Grand Banks Yachts – is another iconic brand that has been redefining the experience of luxury motor cruising for more than 60 years.

These companies all offer day or weekend motor yachts, which are classic, luxury designs but with a very different engine or propulsion systems, which makes them very difficult to compare.

However, when we made a quick online price comparison, we came up with the following results:

Model	Year	Price
Hinckley Picnic 37	2018	$1,100,000
Black Cove 37	2020	$695,000
MJM 35Z	2020	$815,000
Grand Banks 39	2007	$399,000

[Info courtesy yachtworld.com]

At first glance, it does look like Hinckley Yachts are more expensive. However, no comparable model by year was available for a similar Grand Banks model.

Also, please note that the actual comparable value of each yacht should also be based on the detailed inventory and overall condition of each yacht.

However, it’s also good to note that Hinckley Yachts is one of the only yacht-building companies in the world that offers a network of servicing or ‘YachtCare’ facilities.

Introduced in 2009, YachtCare offers a service that picks up a boat whenever the owner decides they’re done for the season and brings it to one of the company’s ten storage and maintenance facilities.

The company then returns the boat in the spring, fully serviced.

Here are 15 other examples of sailboat costs and brands, check them out here!

How Quickly Do Hinckley Boats Depreciate Compared to Other Brands?

Every recreational boat will depreciate over time; however, a Hinckley is unique because the company offers a lifetime warranty on its hull and decks for the original purchaser.

This warranty is reportedly transferable to a second owner for a maximum of 10 years after the original delivery date. Just make sure to check if you qualify!

In addition, Hinckley Yachts are custom-built for each owner, but maintenance plans are recommended, and the various Hinckley service centers offer these services. Most Hinckley owners know there is no better way to care for their yacht than by enrolling in the company’s YachtCare services.

Hinckley Yachts also offers a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program that recognizes Hinckley Yachts that are regularly enrolled in YachtCare. Certified Pre-Owned Hinckley yachts are known to be exceptionally well-maintained and tend to retain higher prices in the second-hand market.

This helps Hinckley owners protect their investment and resale value and slows depreciation. The Hinckley CPO badge signifies a yacht is kept to the highest standards and carries a warranty from Hinckley to the new owner.

What Are the Most Expensive Hinckley Boats?

The Hinckley Talaria 57 is the flagship boat of their collection. It allows for complete creativity for the client – built on Hinckley’s custom line, the 57 allows for endless choices for superior customization.

New jet technology equals better performance, while the 57’s larger cockpit means more space for entertaining, and below there is ample accommodation for a boat this size.

The Talaria line includes three models from 43 to 57 feet. These boats’ overall quality and finish reveal the Hinckley craftsman’s obsession with detail.

The Talaria 57 is a testament to the quality of American yachting.

What Are the Cheapest Hinckley Boats?

While there’s no such thing as a cheap Hinckley Boat, if you are on a budget, you can find the cheapest Hinckley Boats on the second-hand market.

At the time of writing, the cheapest Hinckley boat we could find was on yachtworld.com. Here we found an old Hinckley 34 wooden sailing yacht from 1948 priced at $19,900.

However, if you are looking at Hinckley Yachts on the used boat market, we recommend looking for boats with the Hinckley CPO badge.

Alternatively, always ensure you have the boat inspected by a qualified marine surveyor – you don’t want to end up with any structural or engine problems that are usually always expensive to fix.

Do People Typically Pay Full Price or Get a Discount?

As Hinckley Yachts are built to order, and there is a 2-year waiting list for new boats, people typically pay full price for a new one.

New boat prices will depend on many custom features and optional extras. However, if you want to negotiate a discount, you’re better off looking at the used boat market.

Depending on the seller’s reason for selling, you may be able to negotiate a good price on a boat that is only a few years old but has many optional extras added on by the previous owner.

References:

Hinckley Yachts

Hinckley Yachts For Sale – Yachtworld