I am in a similar situation, and for what it is worth, I have elected to limit my
purchasing to my loca areal. (California)
Being incredibly lazy, I am doomed to limiting my exposure to any boat that is less than well maintained.
Again my laziness blocks me from traveling all over the country to look at boats that may have potential.
In my infinite lazyness I flat refuse to attempt a long voyage from the sales
dock, especially outside the country primarily because I do not enjoy the thought of being towed to whatever is the closest excuse for a marina, and spending months and huge quantities of
money in a place I have no connections or knowledge of waiting for
parts etc...
With a big lazy stripe running down my back I can't be bothered preparing a boat for the area I want to sail in if it is set up for another location, for example, need antifoul on a
great lakes boat, want a
dodger, but it has a
bimini and a BBQ for
texas, deep
keel works up your way, but I want to gunkhole...
Swooning from the laziness syren song, I shudder at the
work I would have to do to prepare and pay for a boat wider than 9 feet to be transported to the place I want to be.
With a genetic predisposition towards unconscionable laziness to the point where all I want to do is play the ukelele and drink
rum rather than barking obscenities red faced with bloody knuckles while doing sailboat yoga
maintenance I can't be bothered to buy a boat from a person who is unknown to the local marina friends I have who know all, see all groundings, sinkings and other mahem.
Riddled with bone chilling and breathtaking lazy streak going back generations, I have put in my dues
buying a used car in LA and homes in colorado, and frankly everyone is a hustler, and descriptions are always rosy. I can't imagine going the distance to look at a steaming heap. There is a hammock and a
rum bottle needs my attention.
As much as I love the Pearsons and Tartans, I will settle in my astounding laziness for boats in my local area that are plentiful and common as chickens on Kuai. May not be my favorite brand, but it will do. Condition trumps manufacturer and style in our
budget range. I am just way too lazy to do it any other way!