Ready Set Go... Catamaran Search

[Multihull]

Originally Posted by Southern Star

2001 Lagoon 380 owners version Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

Here is an owner's version Lagoon 380 - .....

Brad

wonder whether all pictures are recent?

[Sand crab]

Another thing to look out for is that many boats are 220 volts. Changing over to 110 volts is costly.

[got seashells?]

We began looking about a year ago at as many layouts that we could find. We know that the 3 berth is a challenge but it is also the desire and we have time to find one so our fingers are crossed. We also understand that something that is used doesn't have to be used up. I don't think we are unrealistic in the preference to pay out right but if I was un clear in my earlier post, that is the magic number to keep us from having to finance. Now if the perfect boat came along but had some need of upgrade, that would be taken into consideration. I don't mind a chartered boat if it was kept up. And as for a luxury cat, not our intent as we are very low maintenance kind of people and pretty un functional things to us are wasted money. But sturdy appealing and comfortable .....that is the dream.

[2Ripples]

There's no substitute for going out and visiting the boats - listings are full of "errors" or "mis-representations" or "omissions", and the pictures often show only the "good" side of the boat.

As part of our current search, we did alot of internet search and we just spent 1-week in Florida to see with our own eyes. We saw one 380S2 OV in PuntaGorda - that was in excellent shape, much better than the pictures and listing could show. It sold the following week before we could make up our minds
Saw another 380S2 in Miami (but charter version, but looked good in the pictures) and it was a dump - literally.

Our broker, which has helped us buy and sell our boats for 10 years now, understands what we like, don't like, and told us what to expect, but we went to see with our own eyes.
There, I said it, having the right broker is priceless. Make sure the broker understands your objectives, your "hot buttons" (they don't want to waste your time or their time), but it's still your decision, so you have to do the "road trips".
And besides, as many have noted, the search process is half the fun, and can take time.

If you are looking for a used boat, I believe that boat shows are not good investment of time as the new cats are nothing like the 5-8 year old cats.
Florida is a good place to visit many boats to get a feel of the puts and takes of the different choices out there. Has helped us zero in on what we want and don't want.

We saw many other boats - nothing replaces that.
Interesting enough - we would had never considered a Lagoon 440 until we actually stepped on one in Ft.Lauderdale, and were now finalizing an offer on a 440 in the islands. Have requested alot of info and pictures before going out to see it - at worst, we spend a week in the islands

Good luck in your searches !

[Dulcesuenos]

[QUOTE="got seashells?;.. 141898. Now if the perfect boat came along but had some need of upgrade, that would be taken into consideration. I don't mind a chartered boat if it was kept up. And as for a luxury cat, not our intent as we are very low maintenance kind of people and pretty un functional things to us are wasted money.

[Dulcesuenos]

If we were not able to fix.things, electrical stuff, troubleshoot diagnose, repair etc, change fluids filters, pumps, hoses, etc. Then there is no way we could ever afford a.boat. with marine techs charging 75-125 hourly rate. A simple $40 bilge pump float switch could be a $400 repair. Finding a $30.00 hose that has rubbed partwway thru (or insert any number of parts here)and replacing it prior to doing major engine damage and costing 10x more is also critical. Even the best Surveyor wont find all the little problems and issues. Buying a boat from someone who is either very hands on and does things right or has enough money and pays top techs to professionaly maintain the vessel is critical. They say cruising is the art of fixing your boat in beautiful exotic.locations.
More systems, ac, genny, refrigeration, electronics, means there are more things to go wrong. These systems are much more complex than they would be on houses where size isnt important and theres no salt or electrolysis to deal with. You could buy a brand new boat and still have to deal with what I am talking about.
Not trying to scare you but Being even a little mechanically inclined makes life much easier.

[got seashells?]

Lucky for us, hubbie is very skilled in wiring and electronics as well as motors however being able to do them and wanting to do them are not one and the same. I understand that there will always be things that need our attention. The RV is no different. Every pot hole in the road brings something else to tighten or move or replace. But we were patient and looked for just shy of a year to get the one we have and it was 4 years old with 8,000 miles one it with service logs for the generator every 50 hours and still had tape on the carpet. So I believe we will be able to find a nice tidy well kept cat to make our next home. And while we are looking and seeking advice and help we will keep adding to the kiddy as well as the repairs bucket and getting the little things we need along the way. Thank all of you for help in us with this next chapter of our life.

[Dulcesuenos]

Excited for you guys! Cant wait to see what you get.

[Southern Star]

Got seashells, I mistakenly thought that $150K was your maximum budget including taxes, repairs and upgrades. If you are prepared to go higher (but would prefer not to), then I think a trip to Florida for some in-depth boat hunting is a great idea. Prior to the trip, I would contact the brokers for boats that you are interested in (or the owners of privately listed ones) and:

1. Inquire about dates of photographs on the net.
2. Inquire about the hours on the diesels, if not listed.
3. Inquire about the age of the sails/running and standing rigging and ask for the broker to have copies of all bills/receipts for for any claimed replacements.
4. Ask if there have been any recent surveys.
5. If still interested, attempt to work out a schedule for appointments to view the boats that you are interested in.

You may not find the boat you will ultimately buy, but you will certainly come back with a much better idea of the current market!

Good luck with you search and keep us posted.

Brad

[ArtM]

[QUOTE=Dulcesuenos;1419069][QUOTE="got seashells?;.. 141898. Now if the perfect boat came along but had some need of upgrade, that would be taken into consideration. I don't mind a chartered boat if it was kept up. And as for a luxury cat, not our intent as we are very low maintenance kind of people and pretty un functional things to us are wasted money.[/QUOTE]

I think you're looking for a luxury cat.

If you're not, then there are 1000 wharram's out there which have NO un-functional things. They're great if the idea of sleeping in a coffin appeals to you, and you enjoy spending 95% of your time exposed to the elements. They're pretty cheap too, so no "wasted money" there.

No, a luxury cat is not name luxury because it's "frivolous", it "luxury" because it's nicer than sleeping in the trunk of car.

[ArtM]

Originally Posted by s/v 'Faith'

You are your own "buyers broker". The bit about "the seller paying both commissions" is an old line, it is a line though. You (the buyer) are bringing the checkbook to the table, the money comes out of your pocket.... Don't let anyone fool you.

Not trying to scare you, I have heard there are honest brokers out there... I am just telling you to keep your wits about you... Not everyone who says "trust me" is really your friend.

If you are searching for a very common style and live in an area with a large supply, then it's true you can probably find a boat without the help of a broker.

If you're being very specific, though, and your required models are in scarce supply and scattered about the globe, then a specialist broker is invaluable.

Though legally the broker must "represent the seller", in practice they're true objective is to help you get and buy the boat you want. A GOOD broker will understand your needs and find boats that meet those needs. They will know who to talk to and what questions to ask about boats in remote parts of the world to avoid wasted trips. They are constantly in touch with the boat market, and sometimes might be able to find you an "unlisted" deal.

I haven't met the "bad" brokers who try to lie and cheat their way into a deal, but I guess they do exist. If you're a realistic buyer and sensible to work with, though, then there's no reason for a broker to be shifty or dishonest - he's going to make that sale one way or the other.

I have met brokers who do not have the specialized knowledge they claim or think they have.

[tomfl]

[QUOTE=ArtM;1419414]

Originally Posted by Dulcesuenos

I think you're looking for a luxury cat.

If you're not, then there are 1000 wharram's out there which have NO un-functional things. They're great if the idea of sleeping in a coffin appeals to you, and you enjoy spending 95% of your time exposed to the elements. They're pretty cheap too, so no "wasted money" there.

No, a luxury cat is not name luxury because it's "frivolous", it "luxury" because it's nicer than sleeping in the trunk of car.

My initial internet boat choice was a Stiletto 27 which I had sailed on years ago. For several reasons I was able to eliminate the Stiletto, not the least of which was the description of sleeping on one was like sleeping in a damp moldy coffin. Next on the food chain was some flavor of an Fboat. I really liked its ability to go 55kn to windward on interstate. The C31s I looked at were not quite what I was looking for in terms of living on for a couple of months, but I did love the way they sailed. During one of my trips to look at Fboats I saw a Seawind 1000. I also looked at PDQs and Telstars.

I never considered the Seawind a luxury catamaran, but when compared to any of the other boats it is easy to see how one might make that conclusion. On the other hand I have been on friend's boats like FPs, Lagoons, Mantas, and the like. Perhaps more importantly my friends on those boats look at my Seawind and think it is bare bones and their boats are not luxury catamarans.

This is why it is so important to get as much hands on experience at least walking around any boat you are considering buying. How easy is it to get up and down the companion way from the salon to the hulls. Just where does the standing headroom end as you walk forward or aft in the hulls. Do you have to duck as you pass through bulkheads in the hulls. How easy or hard is it to get in and out of the dinky and on the sugar scoops. A complete list of all these details would run several pages.

Another thing to consider is how much or little the PO has modified the boat. Most boats even five years old have had at least minor modifications and sometimes major modifications. Especially when one does something like convert a charter version to an owners version.

If all this seems like a daunting task just remember there are a lot of boats out there for sale and it is a buyers market.

[geoleo]

Originally Posted by got seashells?

That as well as the one above are very nice looking boats however they are both 4berths. That is the big kicker on most that we find, the space that you loose in the bath is not something hubbie will budge on as we are in our RV a lot and The shower space there is small.....plus we need the space rather than another bed.

Thank you for your help tho and if anything else comes to mind please share.

Go get that one Sand Crab shows the 42ft!!

[Mknebes]

Just a thought- the Miami boat show is Feb 13-17, the biggest cat show around. They will all be there- all the big names and little ones with expos and demos and the like. We have our house on the market as well and looking to buy one when it goes so we will be going for three days to talk everyone's ear off and get the feel of as many boats as we can!

[got seashells?]

We are going to tampa from the 12 th of January thru the 19th to start looking. Here is hoping we find something that is worthy of the trip and potential purchase. Thank you for all of the advice and if you hear/ see anything please let us know.