How old is too old for a FRP cat

[Gasman]

On the web trying to gain as much knowledge as possible about Cats and was wondering at what stage does the maintain costs negate the buy price.
Further, what I'm asking, is there a build year that one should not go beyond when considering FRP?
Cheers

[Ram]

I think there are some good cats 40+ years old out there, its about design and how thay are taken care of- you may find a 40 year old cat thats in good shape or you may find a 14 year old cat that is shot

[ausaviator]

Apparently the first fibreglass vessel was built 61 years ago and is still around. Doesn't mean much, just sayin'.

[dirkdig]

Seen plenty of great old fibreglass boats around that were hand laid in the 1960's, bit of polish and wax does a lot.
Like all things if hey have not been flogged to death they are fine,the flogged ones show it though!

[Pete7]

It won't be the GRP that's the problem, but everything bolted to it that could really cost.

Someone suggested 10% of the purchase price for an annual maintenance budget. I could concur with that so far.

Pete

[dirkdig]

Agree fully on the 10%.
it may be 5% one year but the next will be 15%.
wish someone had told me before i bought!

[Ram]

Originally Posted by dirkdig

Agree fully on the 10%.
it may be 5% one year but the next will be 15%.
wish someone had told me before i bought!

this is well known- it pays to do some homework before you jump into somthing!-all you had to do is ask!

[dirkdig]

Did plenty of homework,no one was kind enough to mention this,it must have slipped the minds of the dozens of brokers i spoke to?

[Richard Jordan]

The best time I see to get in is a < 5 year old model, so 2007. At that point, all the new build kinks have been worked out as well as maybe modifications to equip the yacht for serious passage making. You get the most enjoyment with the least maintenance over the next 10 or so years. Say until 2000.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by dirkdig

Did plenty of homework,no one was kind enough to mention this,it must have slipped the minds of the dozens of brokers i spoke to?

Like a Broker knows anything about maintenance.

[Target9000]

Originally Posted by dirkdig

Did plenty of homework,no one was kind enough to mention this,it must have slipped the minds of the dozens of brokers i spoke to?

You should never trust people that want to sell you stuff, lawyers, or anyone that deals with statistics for a living.

[barnakiel]

I would stick with the recent stuff. Not only for structure but also for layour and comforts onboard.

b.

[Jane.Joy]

Originally Posted by Richard Jordan

The best time I see to get in is a < 5 year old model, so 2007. At that point, all the new build kinks have been worked out as well as maybe modifications to equip the yacht for serious passage making. You get the most enjoyment with the least maintenance over the next 10 or so years. Say until 2000.

I think this is great advice, if you can afford it. New kinks worked out, you won't have to pay the lion's share of the depreciation, less maintenance. Also, as other posters have noted, from the perspective of space planning, layout, and interior design, I think the newer cats live better. Of course you have to balance many factors. We chose to get an older cat (FP Venezia '93) so we could get more boat for our money - the budget was tight. Based on the research that we did before buying our boat, we think that a safe blue water cat from 1990 (given proper care and feeding) is, still, a safe blue water cat. Anything older than that - we just didn't feel comfortable, as far as structure and seaworthy design. We are happy with our choice, but let me tell you, the "new car smell" has definitely worn off! One other factor to consider: if you are planning to finance the boat, many lenders don't like old boats - we've heard anything over twenty years old is TOO old for most financing options. Even if you pay cash and don't need a lender, you will have trouble with some insurers. And when you sell the boat, potential buyers will also have trouble finding financing, so your pool of potential buyers will be limited to cash buyers.

Good luck in your search!

[George]

If you are not a cash buyer, better not to own any boat. That is my thoughts.

[btrayfors]

Originally Posted by Gasman

..... Further, what I'm asking, is there a build year that one should not go beyond when considering FRP?
Cheers

Nobody knows! FRP seems to last forever, if it's not abused and if it was correctly laid up in the original building process. Bill