Boat Buyer Tips

[weavis]

Having had a few boats over a number of years, I have concluded that the #1 tip for buying a vessel is:

#1/. Suitability for the type of sailing you want to do.

Not getting the right boat for the environment and location I sailed in has caused a few headaches in my time.

Perhaps you would like to add your comments.

[Coops]

It's going well so far Weave.

Coops.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Coops

It's going well so far Weave.

Coops.

Gun thread is far more exciting........ I want to go over there myself......

[Coops]

And shoot it?

I have always bought boats because I fell in love with them. Has not always been peace and doves, and sometimes it has been a very tempestuous affair with much yelling and throwing of stuff, but every now and then you get one that is perfect for that particular moment. This is pure luck though, no planning involved at all.

Coops.

[weavis]

I lived on the West coast of Florida and my local cruising ground was Charlotte Harbour.

I fell in love with a deep drafted yacht. Loved that boat. Only...... wouldnt sail to my berth on the canal...... impossible to sail except in the channels and heading out into the Gulf.....Local pub cruises were not made on my boat.

Fortunately a chance meeting with a visitor from up north facilitated the exchange of cash for a boat...... and he was happy and I was happy..

Wrong boat for the area.

[Coops]

I would have moved.

Coops.

[weavis]

Its a motorboat area. I used to wonder why I didnt see many yachts.... as I bumped and ground myself along the channel.......

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by weavis

#1/. Suitability for the type of sailing you want to do.

I would argue that instead of "want to do" that should read "really will do." Lots of people "want" to live aboard their boat, sail around the world, spend months at a time at sea, and more months in secluded anchorages in distant harbors. So they buy a boat based on that.

Then they end up using it on weekends, near home, and maybe a week or two at most every couple of years. And over time they use it less and less, because they bought a boat that was designed and built exclusively for their dreams and "wants," but is completely unsuitable for how they actually use it.

I know a lot of people will probably accuse me of being a curmudgeon and a spoil-sport, but buying a boat is not a good time for falling in love or letting your dreams run wild. It is a time for brutal honesty about how you really will use the boat. Be honest with yourself in the buying phase and you will enjoy living the dream of having a boat that is perfectly suited for your needs, and therefore gets used regularly and with great joy.

When the time comes that you really are ready to pursue your dreams, THEN is when you should buy the boat that will suit those dreams. Except, of course, it won't just be "dreams" any longer--then it will be the type of sailing you really will do.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

I would argue that instead of "want to do" that should read "really will do."

I defer to your better description.

[Island Time O25]

I think very few of us, especially when newbie buyers, know for sure how we'll be using that boat 2-3-5 years from purchase time let alone 7-10 or more years in the future. So I say go for the boat that feels right for that moment, is not a personal budget breaker and one that you can easily sail daily without needing too many extra hands. But I also think since dreaming is an important part of boat ownership don't deny yourself those dreams by buying only for today's moment. Personally, living in So. Florida is a personal goal of mine in the near (or not so near) future. So each of my boats was always 5' or less draft even though where I sail now 7' is not a big deal. But I just want to have that option to "pack up and go" which <5' draft will give anytime.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Island Time O25

I think very few of us, especially when newbie buyers, know for sure how we'll be using that boat 2-3-5 years from purchase time let alone 7-10 or more years in the future. So I say go for the boat that feels right for that moment, is not a personal budget breaker and one that you can easily sail daily without needing too many extra hands. But I also think since dreaming is an important part of boat ownership don't deny yourself those dreams by buying only for today's moment. Personally, living in So. Florida is a personal goal of mine in the near (or not so near) future. So each of my boats was always 5' or less draft even though where I sail now 7' is not a big deal. But I just want to have that option to "pack up and go" which <5' draft will give anytime.

Hi I.T.
The good thing in your future usage, you could STILL have fun now with a shallow draft. As said above, I totally bought the wrong vessel to use for what I wanted in the area I was in... It was the right vessel for me but I could not go and do what I wanted due to work commitments. After I sold the yacht, I got a 30 foot coastal motor vessel and that worked fine until I moved.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by weavis

Having had a few boats over a number of years, I have concluded that the #1 tip for buying a vessel is:

#1/. Suitability for the type of sailing you want to do.

Not getting the right boat for the environment and location I sailed in has caused a few headaches in my time.

Perhaps you would like to add your comments.

Don't go on the internet and ask "What the BEST boat for me to buy for BLUEWATER cruising." I live in Kansas.

Really, the advice to get what you will use is spot on.

I'd add: Buy a boat and use if first, then go find your dreamboat. Only YOU can decide what's important in a boat for YOU.

[Island Time O25]

Originally Posted by weavis

Hi I.T.
The good thing in your future usage, you could STILL have fun now with a shallow draft. As said above, I totally bought the wrong vessel to use for what I wanted in the area I was in... It was the right vessel for me but I could go and do what I wanted due to work commitments. After I sold the yacht, I got a 30 foot coastal motor vessel and that worked fine until I moved.

Weavis, I hear what you're saying. But I think it is tough to predict boat use too far into the future. Some people buy a boat which is very easy to sail as a couple but if the split up and one of them ends up with that boat their next partner may not be too keen on sailing or whatever. Also jobs often require relocations etc. So even in the best scenarios one may have to sell and get something else some time later. That's why I say get whatever boat you think is right for your situation or your imaginery situation as it may change anyway but at least you will be happy for some time instead of not being happy and wanting to get a better (for you) boat in the future. Anyway as they say about 2 of the best days in boat woner's life. I say make sure at least about the 1st day.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Island Time O25

Weavis, I hear what you're saying. But I think it is tough to predict boat use too far into the future. Some people buy a boat which is very easy to sail as a couple but if the split up and one of them ends up with that boat their next partner may not be too keen on sailing or whatever. Also jobs often require relocations etc. So even in the best scenarios one may have to sell and get something else some time later. That's why I say get whatever boat you think is right for your situation or your imaginery situation as it may change anyway but at least you will be happy for some time instead of not being happy and wanting to get a better (for you) boat in the future. Anyway as they say about 2 of the best days in boat woner's life. I say make sure at least about the 1st day.

If you split up...... and the ex gets the boat, I dont really think you'd give a rats about what the new partner thinks about the boat.......

HEY! Opportunity to get a new one!!

[Island Time O25]

Originally Posted by weavis

If you split up...... and the ex gets the boat, I dont really think you'd give a rats about what the new partner thinks about the boat.......

HEY! Opportunity to get a new one!!

So far I only know one liveaboard couple who split up. And during their split they were in the middle of refitting another boat to sell and live off the proceeds. So instead she got that boat and left. Both were happy as clams.