Buying a Used Boat & Risk-Management

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by Macblaze

Yup. Exactly what I think. But I've got a year to program, sitting at home isn't going to do it for me, Cunard's round-the world cruise is $90,000+, and my Italian sucks so Tuscany is out. So this seems the best option for an adventure!

So here is a "risk" mitigation option.

Pick your sailing area - one that has "lots" of boats on the market. say Florida (or California) - study the online ads until you kow each potential boat intimately

Pack your seabag in June, rent a cheap flophouse in said high density area. Kick a lot of tires, buy the boat, start the adventure. Even if it takes you 2 months, which it won't unless you are picky, you only lose 2 months.

There are too many sight unseen horror stories out there to buy a boat long distance.

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

So here is a "risk" mitigation option.

Pick your sailing area - one that has "lots" of boats on the market. say Florida (or California) - study the online ads until you kow each potential boat intimately

Pack your seabag in June, rent a cheap flophouse in said high density area. Kick a lot of tires, buy the boat, start the adventure. Even if it takes you 2 months, which it won't unless you are picky, you only lose 2 months.

There are too many sight unseen horror stories out there to buy a boat long distance.

Another tidbit of good advice.

Thanks

[avb3]

Originally Posted by Macblaze

Yup. Exactly what I think. But I've got a year to program, sitting at home isn't going to do it for me, Cunard's round-the world cruise is $90,000+, and my Italian sucks so Tuscany is out. So this seems the best option for an adventure!

I have a friend who current is doing a world cruise with Royal Norwegian (I think), Jan 5- April 30, $23,500 double occupancy, $33,000 single, currently in Singapore.

But sailing would be better

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[kabball]

I would go for it- I just got through buying a boat in BC and I know the boats in this area on the market extremely well.

PM me with your budget and I can likely point you in the direction.

For example a 1989 Catalina 36 with newer engine - fully capable of sailing for a year with very little work - price 40-50k CDN.

There are many others


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[Sundae Driver]

Hello,

The best thing that someone without skill in boat shopping can do is to befriend or hire a professional to go boat shopping with them. There are people who are really good at spotting demons and others who may blissfully miss major money pits. Even if you are a good shopper, once a person's emotions get involved, mistakes happen.

Better to stroll the piers looking to connect with folks that are really good do it yourself(ers) and ask them whom they trust to do good service. Track that person down and offer them a hundred bucks to find you a few boats that are worth considering. Ask them to teach you why they prefer one choice over another.

It will be money well spent. When I worked in sales, I looked at used choices for free just because eventually it would lead to more sales for me. I have given my honest assessment but others could argue it was just an opinion. In my view, as a profession mechanic, one that was factory trained, it was still an opinion, but a very experienced one.

Kindest,

Sundae

[bsurvey]

Its admirable that you wish to do all this. Many owners are not so unclined.


First thing is get a surveyor to do a survey of the vessel before purchaser.


Ask him for a punch list or maintenace items along wiith the recommendations.


Then you can do the resarch yourself

[roverhi]

The worst boat is a 10 year old boat that has not been upgraded by the PO. Electronics will be way outdated though possibly still functional. Sails and rigging will be clapped out and probably in need of replacement. Engine may be suspect.

As others have said, it's the condition of the boat and the maintenance that determine how much a boat will require in maintenance, repair, and replacement. Personally, would rather have a 20+ year old boat that has been kept up than a much newer boat.

[RKsailsolo]

Originally Posted by sonofasonofasailer456

Hope this helps!

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It does. Sounds like practical advice borne from experience. Are you in the marine business?

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by roverhi

The worst boat is a 10 year old boat that has not been upgraded by the PO. Electronics will be way outdated though possibly still functional. Sails and rigging will be clapped out and probably in need of replacement. Engine may be suspect.

As others have said, it's the condition of the boat and the maintenance that determine how much a boat will require in maintenance, repair, and replacement. Personally, would rather have a 20+ year old boat that has been kept up than a much newer boat.

Purely unscientific research is starting to bring me to this point of view. What I don't want is a boat someone is selling because they don't want to expend the time/money to fix it up. Not that I have any inherent objection to that, but I don't, in this instance, have the time.

So given that, older is starting to look better.

[onestepcsy37]

And whatever you do, DO NOT BUY A BOAT ON FAITH! Especially in the price range you are looking.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Name the Budget
What follows is written in a truly friendly tone of voice and with the true intent to help.

Whenever I see a post asking about a boat or "help me find a boat that…" the first question that enters my mind is:

"What is your budget?"

With an adequate budget (funds or "asking price range") one can find a solution.

Without the adequate budget, it is asking folks to name what they would want, without necessarily any real fit for what you can buy.

So, name the funds and then ask folks to spend them for you.

____________________

You have mentioned time is an issue. You don't want to waste your sabbatical year refitting a boat or handling problems or tied to a dock.

You have mentioned age, but not how much money.

Some used boats are cheap, some relatively expensive. Name a budget and it eliminates a lot of unfitting boats and narrows the choices to what fits what might be the most critical of all parameters.

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by Steady Hand

Name the Budget
With an adequate budget (funds or "asking price range") one can find a solution.

Without the adequate budget, it is asking folks to name what they would want, without necessarily any real fit for what you can buy.

So, name the funds and then ask folks to spend them for you.

...

Some used boats are cheap, some relatively expensive. Name a budget and it eliminates a lot of unfitting boats and narrows the choices to what fits what might be the most critical of all parameters.

An answer I full appreciate.

My intent in asking this time is to try and learn, within my budget, what makes sense. So if I say my heart is set on a 42' Hunter or like boat, I can find a 2004 at the limit of my budget or find one 10 years older and $20,000 cheaper and leave me some wiggle room. If it was a car I would expect in most cases it would be a wash, but I am thinking/wondering if 20 year old boats might —on average— be in better shape than 20 year old cars.

I believe I can do it, just trying to narrow the dream to something not overly painful

[Browning]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

You have 2-3 months to locate a boat.
Like all of us you have a limited amount of funds
You want a boat to step aboard and go cruising
You want to sell the boat in a year
You have some sailing experience
You have limited maintenance experience
You have zero buying experience
You are basically landlocked

I hate to rain on anyone's parade but that is a huge ask...

Buy a trailer sailor and tow it to the great lakes or one or more of the bazillion lakes that appear to be near you. Have a great summer and then tow it home and cover it up...

Much less financial risk.

Phantastic!
With a lake-going boat, you can visit:
- this side of the lake
- the other side of the lake
...and the options end...

[kabball]

Originally Posted by Browning

Phantastic!
With a lake-going boat, you can visit:
- this side of the lake
- the other side of the lake
...and the options end...

No way - go for it!

Life is short - get to the coast and buy a boat that is ready to cruise now - go smaller if you need to in order to make it work.

Then go sailing - frankly I give you a 90% of success - except the selling the boat part.

That is the wild card - do not count on selling it quickly.




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[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by Browning

Phantastic!
With a lake-going boat, you can visit:
- this side of the lake
- the other side of the lake
...and the options end...

Have you looked at the size of the lakes in the Northeast US? Just sayin...

Anyway OP is considering buying a boat at the coast. I'm just spitballin' lower risk options..

No harm no foul...


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