How To Know When Your Sailboat Should Be Retired?

[vonchris7]

Hi,

This may sound like a silly question, however, I am curious how you know when to call it quits on a sailboat?

I understand if it sinks in 3,000 feet of water, well, it's finished.

Otherwise, what criteria would you consider your boat is no longer worth putting $$ into?

Thanks!!

[CharlzO]

The day that going to the boat feels like a chore that you HAVE to do, instead of WANT to do, would be my first clue. There's obviously a cost equation that comes into play, where the money you're putting into it is far exceeding the enjoyment. That equation though, would be different for everyone based on the love they have for their boat.

[David M]

When your boat has accumulated enough wealth to live off the interest? OK, that was bad. Sorry.

I would say that when it feels like the money you are pouring into it could be used for other things that would make you happier. It's a big life decision and there is no absolutely correct answer. It's one of those what feels better to you answers.

[roverhi]

It really depends on the depth of your pockets. Traditonal wooden boats are typically totally rebuilt over time. Seem to remember that the USS Constitution has only about 10% of the original boat still there. Fiberglass is a bit different but still possible to virtually totally rebuild them.

You have to look at what you can buy a replacement boat for and how much is your addiction to the current boat.

[Sailmonkey]

Boat ownership is illogical anyway, so the purely emotional desire to spend lots of money on a 40 year old floating piece of plastic is not something that can be quantified in any meaningful manner.

[toddster8]

When the fire department swings by and offers to trade you for a better one that they were going to burn for practice.

[KiminAK]

I would say that when you're putting so much money into it, that you could be making payments on a new(er) boat and come out about even.

[Stu Jackson]

When you've neglected it enough to not care anymore. And only then...

[SVTatia]

We always need to keep up with the maintenance and this costs money. If not sell the boat and go watch TV or worse - play golf...

I'll stop when I make the funeral home reservation...

[Suijin]

Originally Posted by vonchris7

Otherwise, what criteria would you consider your boat is no longer worth putting $$ into?\

Depends on the depth of your pockets and desire.

There's an adage in investing that selling in a bear market is like "trying to catch a falling knife".

Putting money into your boat is a continual process of trying to catch a falling knife, if your primary criteria is the boat's market value. And most of the time you're going to get cut.

So, it comes down to how much it's worth to you, aside from dollars, and how many dollars you have that you can spare.

[brownoarsman]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

When you've neglected it enough to not care anymore. And only then...

Of course, when you go to sell it, don't forget to price it like a well maintained boat and keep it at that price while it continues to deteriorate!

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by vonchris7

..................., I am curious how you know when to call it quits on a sailboat? ......................

Sailboat or any boat, when repairs will cost as much or more than the boat is worth. If you could sell the boat for $5K, don't put more than $5K into it.

[hpeer]

Somehow I don't think these answer the OPs question. I THINK he meant more along the lines of when is it simply unsafe anymore. I see old boats with big cracks in the gel coat, tons of blisters, fagged out rudders, bad decks, etc. ProbAbly all is fixable.

When does a fg sailboat just not become "fixable" anymore? When is the hull shot?

[tuffr2]

I just sold a 28 year little power boat. The boat simply did not fit my use at my new location near the ocean. The little 16' runabout with low free board simply was not built to be on the ocean.

One thing that made selling the boat was the idea of buying a better bigger boat.

But if your boat still fits your use, heck, I would keep it. No one knows the boat like you do and any new parts are likely to last awhile.

But in my case I had an old style 2 cycle outboard. I really wanted a newer outboard that would start with the turn of the key.

[zeehag]

when you are tired of your toy
when water spews in from millions of little holes in the hull (i have not seen this in my sailing life, except with wood boats needing caulk.)
otherwise it is restoration time.