Columbia, Nautica, Newport, Cal T/4 -Merged

[Terra Nova]

The Columbia's were entry level boats, cheaply built. Chopper gun, I think.

[bailsout]

Why are those asking prices so high?
24-28' sailboats in Hawaii are that scarce?

[knockout_mice]

Originally Posted by bailsout

Why are those asking prices so high?

24-28' sailboats in Hawaii are that scarce?

Yes, this is about all of them.
And getting one from a different island isn't necessarily an easy task either, especially with a little outboard motor.

[patn44]

Columbias are NOT chopper gun boats. They were hand laidup heavy resin / fiber with thick hulls. Hunter on the other hand is a cheaply laid up boat and I speak from owner/experience. Would never have another even is given to me.


The boat to buy is the one that meet your needs and fits the way you want to sail. If you want to survive out on the ocean buy for the hull/rig/motor. If you want to sit in the slip and have cocktails in the salon buy for the interior / layout. Most of the boats in my experience sit in the slips and never go out.


Older boats are built on the designs of the wooden boat era, hence they were smaller in the salon because the old sailors sailed. They were not focused on cooking and sitting in the salon. You will not be focused on cooking either as you will find that it heats up the cabin and makes for condensation/water in the cabin. A comfortable place to sit and sleep is more a concern. Make sure there are berths that accommodate your length.

[l2ridehd]

Of those choices I would go with the Nautica. Diesel engine is a plus, cabin is a better layout. I agree with others, price seems high, but that is the case for most everything in the Hawaiian islands. Try to buy it for under 10K, might be worth the $$$ to get a survey done as this is your first boat. For a 27 foot boat a survey should cost around $500 to $700 and worth it. Good luck and enjoy your boat.

[bailsout]

I have a 1966 Columbia 29 mark 2 and I love her. Google 1966 columbia specifications and it will help with a lot of info for your decision.

[knockout_mice]

So now I have talked to almost all of these boat owners and my conclusion is that none of them is very serious about selling their boats and all of them are pretty much ********. Two of them stood us up looking at the boats, one of them never coordinated a time, one of them tried to talk us out of doing an inspection... I have had it!

And I've only actually seen ONE boat, and it was because the owner flaked out on meeting us (but at least I got a message from him about it), and he told us the slip number and it turned out his cabin hatch was unlocked so I crawled in with my 7-months pregnant self. This guy, when I asked him what kind of engine his boat had, he said it was a 5 hp "engine" that he's not selling with the boat!!!

This is so ridiculous. I am beyond pissed. These boats are all POS's from what I can tell, and everyone is being a jerk!!! And mind you, this is even dumber than it sounds because their slip fees are over $400 per month. You would think they would lower the price tag. It will take them over a year to sell their boats with their crappy attitudes and pretentious price tags.

I'm so fed up. Thank you for listening to me vent. I haven't even given you all of the details of how annoying these people are, but this should do. Any consolation you guys have would be appreciated!!!

[Stu Jackson]

So sorry to hear. Would this be time to consider a broker?

[snort]

You might want to just use brokers for a while. They're interested in selling boats, but not romantically involved with them.
Anyone who has bought a boat (or tried to) has probably got a story.
I could tell you one, but I'm afraid the owner might be on the forum (lol!)

[snort]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

So sorry to hear. Would this be time to consider a broker?

I must be slow at typing......
At any rate, I agree with Stu.
That's 3 votes now for "use a broker".

[knockout_mice]

Oh man, great idea! Getting a broker tonight! Thank you so much as always! Wish us luck. We'll extend the slip deadline to buy ourselves 4 more months to find the right boat. Hopefully our dream boat will "find us" in that time.
Thank you again! I will keep you posted!

[jeepbluetj]

I'm a bit biased, but if you can find a Catalina 27, that sounds like the boat for you. (one was mentioned, wrong island IIRC)

I'll also be one of the rare folks that say an inboard gas engine isn't the horrible thing most think it is. I cook next to mine all the time. It's smoother than a diesel. It's easy to fix. It drinks the gas. (Fuel economy is much better with diesel). they don't blow up.

[Terra Nova]

Please don't pin all your hopes on somebody who brokers $10,000 boats.

Good move to gain an extra 4 months. You'll have a larger crew to buy for, though.

[patn44]

Must you put a boat in the slip to keep it? If not keep shopping. If yes then find anything cheap ( row boat, sunfish) that floats and put it there to hold your place while you keep shopping.

[snort]

Too bad Hawaii isn't Florida (trust me, this is the only time or situation I'll say this)
This is what you'd like to find at that price point:
1977 Morris Frances sailboat for sale in Florida