If you are prepared to travel, then
Australia is not the place to buy. For what you want to 'invest', there are plenty places in US or the EU where you would pick up twice the
boat for what you get here.
Having said that, walk the Marina's and talk with the owners on each row when you can. (and if you can get access). There is much to be said for word of mouth, and in our Marina, a number of sales have happened that didn't even reach the websites. E.g. there is a Roberts Spray beside me that has gone out twice since it was built about 5yrs ago, and he probably doesn't know he wants to sell it atm. Very well built, but since it was built, his missus just doesn't get the whole sailing thing...
There is a
Jeanneau 37 something also on my row, that was a well maintained
boat when the
current owners bought it 4yrs ago. They played around with it a lot for the first season, the second season less, and last season, didn't even come down to stay or play. They also don't realise that they want to sell it either. Often if you find the right time, make an offer, you can get good boat at a reasonable price.
I personally researched for a number of years on Yachtworld and a bunch of other sites, and walked many marina miles to see what I liked about certain makes, layouts etc. If the
Broker is not serious with pricing, particularly at this time of year down south, then it won't sell anyway.
In all honesty, I would have to hate to go through all the nonsense again. Be patient, there will always be another one coming up, but have all your ducks in a row for when the right one comes. Talk to ESANDA and the like, they sometimes have owners that need to liquidate pronto. Another eg, a Riviera 50 on my row, was up in Pittwater. The guy on my row had talked to a finance company that specialises in boat finance, and he was told about the boat. The guy was in it for $1.25mil now in the hands of the receiver, they accepted $750K after the
survey, and the boat was in pristine condition.
Hope this helps a bit.