Buying a boat that was extensively raced?

[DEC2017]

I am considering looking at a boat that was extensively raced. It is a 1984 Islander Bahama 30 tall rig. What Are the typical problems that crop up with boats that have been raced hard? I don’t want to go to the expense of surveying a boat like this if it is going to need a bunch of expensive repairs and I end up walking away. The up side is that it supposedly has very few hours on the Yanmar engine, has a tiller and these boats are supposed to be good sailers. Thanks in advance.

[gmakhs]

Depends,
I have seen boats being raced and being maintained in a very high point which is good for the boat and i have seen boats that are being negleted or at least parts of them its all about the owner and the money he wants and have to spent on the boat.

[Suijin]

I agree with gmakhs. The fact that it has been raced extensively does not in and of itself tell you anything.

There is a Hinckley Bermuda 40 out of Annapolis, raced extensively, that the owner has lavished with attention and money. It’s gorgeous.

There are J/35s that are pushed hard and put away wet with no regard for cosmetics or maintaining systems not directly related to the boat going faster.

But to answer your question I would be most concerned about the standing rigging, running rigging, and deck hardware. This is the stuff that takes a beating on a race boat. You’re constantly replacing stuff given the stresses you put on it that might last 5x longer or more on a boat that is not raced.

And while the boat may have an impressive sail inventory, check each sail carefully. If you race hard and often you can wear out a sail in a season.