Most important thing to a new boat owner?

[jrbogie]

Originally Posted by Bunnellr

Terra Nova,

OK, got it, and humor is good. But I see a long membership and a similar type of boat. Got any real advice?

Bob

the question belongs in the same category as, "how long is a rope."

[rosatte]

learn how to reef ur sails in a quick and efficient manner practice before leaving marina..having reefing lines running bac to cockpit makes life a whole lot easier. ..even with inmast furling u need to know were ur best reef points are....we found out the hard way yrs ago..cheers

[CaptRory]

People inside the boat....water outside the boat.

[roberthowell]

kick the tires and light the fires if it is going to happen it will happen out there ( remember Captain Ron) if you have not seen it do

[David Mark]

I would have to say in hind sight . Don't over sail the boat , keep your sail area small and manageable . work on tacking in tight spaces , your past experience at sailing is good , but your new boat may take months for you to drive her around like a hobie cat . After ever near mishap it usual comes down to something you haven't experienced before . Also a new boat or a old boat , everything is going to break !!!! Good luck !!! Dave S/CAT BAMABREEZE

[Dave22q]

Inspecting is great but you need to realize that whatever can go wrong probably will. Buy BoatUS towing coverage or a competitor, make sure the radio works, and begin with day sailing within an hour or two of port. extend your range as you get more comfortable.

[LoudMusic]

Originally Posted by Kelkara

The previous owner ...

you've no idea what he has done to your boat ... it might be good, or it might be very very bad.

I've looked at a few boats that generally looked good, but there were a few questionable modifications that made me wonder about how the rest of the boat had been cared for.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Huskybeer

with the Brexit a reality I would be more worried about the VAT Status and the ports you visit and the time you will stay there.
As well as, since it was a charter boat, what happened to it.

Assuming the boat is being bought from the charter company they should be paying VAT on the sale of the boat. I assume the wife will be the sole owner because she is English so once the VAT is paid the boat can stay inside the EU, Brexit aside and we don't know how that will work at the moment.

I also presume you have seen the yacht in the flesh. Make a photographic list of every item on board including sails and check it just before you hand over the cash. You don't want to find the Genoa is swopped at the last minute for another boat.

Pete

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Dave22q

Inspecting is great but you need to realize that whatever can go wrong probably will. Buy BoatUS towing coverage or a competitor.

Do they cover France and Spain?

Pete

[Cabo Jim]

Speaking of running aground. Back in 2007, friends and I chartered a Hanse 400E out of Sydney BC. Nice boat, we nicknamed her Blue Beauty. She had just been launched after having run aground (by a charter captain) and having her keel repaired. She was hard aground on an ebb tide and eventually ended up laying on her side with the interior cushions between the hull and the rocks. Damage to the keel was extensive and there was talk about writing her off. Eventually a new keel was ordered out of Germany. I would strongly recommend a very thorough inspection of the keel and keel bolts. Would dropping the keel for inspection be excessive? Maybe or Maybe not.
check out the following links.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ki-126801.html
What happened to Cheeki Rafiki? Key findings from the official Marine Accident Investigation Branch report - Yachting World
Keel safety self-help: keep track of changes – Yacting World

Good Luck & Fair winds
Jim

[AJ_n_Audrey]

Not sinking. Insure your bilge pumps work by filling the bilge with water and seeing if the pumps evacuate it. If in doubt, buy a small Honda trash pump as back up. If your bilge pump is running frequently, check the usual suspects - packing glan on rudder post, etc.
Power is important. Insure your engine has been recently serviced, and if it has not, have it done (fuel filters, impeller, oil change & filter). That's a start.

[zedpassway]

Expect to have to pay 1/6 to 1/3 more than the cost of your boat to fix things that were ok in the survey but really need fixing, and for outfitting things that you just have to have but which are not on the boat.

[Bunnellr]

David Mark,

Thanks! I'm very conservative about having sail up! I've waited too long in the past to reduce sail. No thanks.

Bob

[Bunnellr]

Rosatte,

Great suggestion. This rig should be easily managed (roller jib, reefing in cockpit), but practicing in the marina in calm conditions makes sense.

Thanks!

Bob

[Bunnellr]

Dave22q,

Thanks! Electronics ALWAYS work, don't they?


Bob