Value of used 4-place Bearhawks? What can I expect for $50k - $70k?

[Oliver]

Hello,

I am currently looking at Maules, because of all the praise for Bearhawks on backccountrypilot.org, I however thought that this might also be an option.

Looking around the internet, I struggle to get an idea of their values and what I can realistically expect for my budget of around $50,000 - $70,000?
If possible, I would prefer to stay closer to the lower end of my budget range, but wonder if this is even a reasonable budget.

Oliver

[CharlieZulu]

Hi Oliver. I'm in Australia, so things are a little different (more expensive) here but I spent a good couple of years looking on Barnstormers before I bought mine, so I have a decent idea of what they are worth. I'd say you're going to struggle to fine something in that price range. These days, you're doing well if you build it for less than 100k and that obviously doesn't account for labour at all. I would think that the price for a nice 4 place is going to range from 100-175k depending on engine, avionics and build quality. By way of comparison, I paid 95k AUD for a 15 year old scratch built (albeit with a newer IO-390) in Australia. That compares with about 60-80 down here for a used Maule. Since I bought my bearhawk, I've probably spent another 10k on wheels, brakes, tyres, etc to make it more backcountry suitable. So for me, a Bearhawk was worth the money. It has a stick, way more range given the greater fuel capacity (280 litres) and 4 cylinder engine and it's experimental which makes things as simple as mounting a go pro a lot easier down here. All of that being said, a friend bought an older m5 235 and spent a bit of money upgrading it. It looks and flies great and the maintenance is next to nothing. I think another thing which probably makes the Bearhawk a little more than a Maule is simply supply vs demand. There are a lot of Maules out there but second hand Bearhawks are pretty rare and tend to get snapped up relatively quickly...just my 2c!

[Battson]

The nicest 4 place Bearhawk's have gone for around have gone for about 125,000-130,000 USD, some of those are truly top of the line.
The cheapest have gone for about 60k or thereabouts. However, they typically have some worrying artefacts of a homebuilt, which reflects that price.

[Mark Goldberg]

If you talk about the value of used, flying Bearhawks on the market - there is one factor that is not mentioned in the above comments. Generally, planes built from the Quick Build kit are more valuable than scratch built Bearhawks. The only exception I have seen are outstanding plans built examples that have won awards for workmanship at OSH or other major flyins. Mark

[Oliver]

Thank you for your responses, very much appreciated!

It seems as whether Bearhawks hold their value really well. Actually too well for our banking account.
While this certainly speaks for the aircraft, I am afraid that this also means that a Bearhawk is not an option anymore.

Well, at least I know now that there is no point in waiting for Bearhawks to come up for sale.

Thanks again,

Oliver

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Keep your eyes open. They do occasionally come up for sale. One recent one was listed for around $65,000US. There aren't many of them, but they do pop up from time to time. But most often in the $100K+ range, especially for the QB types as Mark described.

There aren't as many Bearhawks on earth as there are Maules, RVs, C170/180/185, and similar. So when they do come along, you have to move quickly. With one exception, the ones I know of that were for sale didn't last much beyond a week on the market.

[Zzz]

Build quality is everything in price valuation, in my opinion.

[Oliver]

The more I learn about the Bearhawks, the more like them. I will certainly keep an eye open for them at Airventure.

Actually, I might even build one in the future. My wife and I are currently building a Van's RV-10 and thought about building something like a Rans S20 or a Zenith CH750, once we are done with it.
A Bearhawk would however be quite a bit more versatile - I guess I'll have to add it to my 'potential next plane to build list'.

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Having learned to fly in a Piper Archer, I've always been a huge fan of the RV-10. Keep us up to date on its progress while you ponder your Bearhawk!

[Mark Moyle]

Did my bi-annual flight review last month in a Maule MX7 with the 180 hp O-360 and 31" Ak Bushwheels. First time flying one... I felt the airplane control responsiveness was lacking in both the rudder and aileron responsiveness. The Bearhawk has a huge rudder compared to the Maule...ailerons are about a foot shorter... And I don't like the pull rivets on the wings....MIG welded fuselage...cheap paint....


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[Battson]

I have flown a few kinds of Maule now. All on 26, 29, or 31 ABWs.

I do think the Maule's are heavier in the controls, for sure. I think their rudder and aileron are better balanced with each other, the BH takes some learning unless you're a great pilot. Especially in a dive. But once you've learnt it you are fine. Also the BH has very sensitive elevator, whereas the Maule's is more balanced with the other two axis. Most would probably agree with that last statement.

They are TINY in the cockpit and the mixture knob hits the taller pilot's knee at full flap(!!), they aren't as hard to get in and out of as a BH. But at least I have tonnes of leg room in the BH. I just wish I had floatplane doors.

I can't abide by the pop-rivets nor MIG welding either - but that is a whole other thread on it's own!!

[Glenn Patterson]

We built a scratch built that I believe is a quality build. I have 37 years of industrial design & maintenance. Part of my work was being responsible for the plants pressure vessel & piping code work, welding program and welder testing. Our engineering group surveyed and set the alignments on the paper machines & equipment to thousandths of an inch. I used an precision surveyor level to set up the wing jig frames. The wings were built flat, square & level similar to Russ Erbs method that gives clean rib to spar fit up. The wings are straight and smooth. The rib jig pin holes appear as one hole through through all the ribs. The inspector was impressed with the workmanship.

One partner is a certified welder & the fuselage was TIG welded with preheat & post heat of the welds.The fuselage tubes were carefully fit and lots of tacks to keep it straight. After all the clusters were full welded out the fuselage was put back on the table to check its alignment. The alignment was off a 1/32". The wings installed by leveling the fuselage using the known reference points then the dihedral was set. The fuselage was hard shimmed to keep it level. The center to center distance of strut attach holes was exactly the same on both sides. There is a difference of 1/8" between wing ends.

The fabric is better than any at the local airport & a lot better than a couple of recent professionally fabric jobs that we looked at. It has the flying tail modification.

The panel is a Dynon D180, transponder, Garmin GTR200 radio & is relatively simple that was built to be as little visual obstruction as possible. The panel may not be to a lot of tastes but it is a leap above the Supercubs we use. The airplane is built for 1 to 2 hour local flights. Our Bearhawk will eventually live on skis & floats with perhaps an occasional long distance jaunt. This area is all bush & lakes where it is 200 miles to a major airport and a 100 miles to the next municipal airport. Not much need for autopilot.

The airplane is built with pride and craftsmanship without thought to selling it. I would think it would be around $100K and labour invested going for about $2/hr. :-)

Best for Oliver to look at the Maules or a Super Stinson as a well built Bearhawk will exceed the $50-$70K budget just on material costs. It is hard to put a dollar value on all the labour. The good news is that the value of Bearhawks will going up as more come on line and the reputation continues to grow. The typical Bearhawk a few years ago was around $60K and now $100k+ for good ones. The wing kit makes sense in economy of life & years which is priceless.
Glenn
BH727

[Battson]

The good news is that the value of Bearhawks will going up as more come on line and the reputation continues to grow.

Anecdotally, that is happening here already. They have a great reputation and several Skywagon pilots want to trade up for a 4-place.

Demand is growing. People want quality pre-built BH aircraft. But the number of aircraft available for sale is very limited by the number of builders.

Simple supply and demand suggests that the first one that comes up for sale should fetch a high price. But it won't be mine... I want it!!

[Glenn Patterson]

Agreed. The prices asked have been escalating steadily & have almost doubled from 8 years ago.

Quality of build is important no matter whether it is scratch built or kit based. The one assurance to a buyer on a kit build is that the large components of wings & fuselage are built to a known standard. The fit, finish and quality of a kit or scratch built is dependent on the skill of the builder. Most are building for themselves and not keen to sell them.

[CharlieZulu]

Have you seen this one?? Its a sign!! Do it!

http://www.barnstormers.com/Experimental,%20Bearhawk%20Classifieds.htm

[Chewie]

http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=1066650

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[Oliver]

Thanks for the hint. The plane is even located here in Michigan. Guess I'll have to talk with my wife...