Reality Check - Buying 15 to 25 Year-Old 38-Footers

[hoppy]

I'm going do to Greece next week partly for holiday and partly for boat inspections.

There are three boats I am interested in the 38 foot range, Grans Soleil 38 (1992), First 38s5 (1992) & Sun Shine 38 (1986). Each of the boats have had some level of upgrades and replacements over the years.

Assuming the are found to be structurally sound from the survey and the engines still have some life, what are the most likely big expensives that I could eventually encounter.

I assume replacing the running and standing rigging would be a likely expenditure, and it is quite likely the sails may need replacement over time. I suppose there will be the potential of some internal systems like water heaters & pumps, Maybe the steering may need new cables.....

I guess the list can go on and on.

I would appreciate and comments from people who have go thorough this process to give me an idea what the cost would be.

[barnakiel]

You will not find there anything that matches or comes close to what you know from Stockholm.

Boats in the Med are eaten out by the sun and they often spend winters in the water. I think a 15 y.o. boat in Greece is like a 60 y.o. boat in Sweden.

You also run the potential risk of not being able to get proper fixes as the quality of work is very low there and while there are some good specialists you may have problem locating them (esp. if you do not speak Greek).

I think there can be bargains everywhere and if you are a skilled boat mender you will probably find what you want. But if you are into a fix-it-up boat and want others to fix it up for you, probably buy in Sweden and move the boat to the Med.

b.

[s/v Beth]

Decks-15K USD
Rigging 10k USD (make sure all cables on the boat are checked, including lifelines and steering)
Rewire electronics 6K USD
New electronics 2K and up.
Refrig- 2K
Paint and hull renew- 10K and up.
And the list goes on....
All actual numbers from my recent renew with Beth (and she was in pretty good shape)

[daddle]

There will not be a single usable sail. Sure, they will be white and triangular. But completely blown out. Don't even bother inspecting them. Tell yourself you will be buying all new sails.

[surfmachine]

Avast, look at least at spending the same amount as the purchase price again, if you want trouble free cruising.
New...
Rigging
Batteries
Antifoul
Osmotic blisters
cushions and covers
cutlass bearings
navigation electronics
liferaft
fire ext
safety gear
stove
head
radios
lights
refrigeration
motor overhaul/renewal
sails
tender and outboard...............
etc

That is if the hull and mast/boom are sound

[Pete7]

Oh boy, you lot are full of good news . Hoppy the truth is until you visit and inspect you won't know. However if the adverts suggest that owners have replaced some major items then you might be onto a winner and one of them has hopefully been looked after.

The Greek economy is in dire straights so you might pick up a bargin

Pete

[hoppy]

Thanks for the good news everyone

It at least gives me a checklist of things to consider when comparing boats and their various upgrades (or lack of)

I will be looking at a few boats that are less than 10 years and a bit smaller which I hope are a bit further from some of the upgrades/reparis/refurbishment that the older yachts may need, but then again they are more money up front.

The electronic upgrades on all boats regardless of age worry me. I have a very bad habit of wanting the latest and greatest with features I will never need and even then I will upgrade the when something newer and shinier comes along.

Pete, I am working on the assumption that I can knock off a nice chunk off the asking price. The UK also seems to be a good place for bargains as there are a few boats there less than 10 years old that I like which have been upgraded and are well priced, but they are so far from from where I want to sail.

[boatman61]

Well from my point of view... if there's good deals in the UK why not buy from there... if your living onboard you can sail her to where you want her based...
If you plan on just visiting her you can do the same in legs... hell you'll be paying marina fees anyway... so why not.
Or get it delivered...
Go for the Best Boat at the best price/vfm.... don't restrict yourself to buying 'In the Cruising Zone'....