Best areas to buy boat with cash

[chowdan]

Hi everyone,

We are looking to go down the Caribbean to cruise for a year or so. We have $30,000 in cash to buy our boat. We are looking to get some advice on which areas we should target that have a lot of boats for sale.

We likely will be in the area next month or the month after and are trying to figure out which areas we should focus our time in.

Thanks!

[WSMFP]

Lots of deals to be had in St Pete and South West Florida. Also, good refit facilities and parts availability in St Pete without paying the Fort Lauderdale area dockage and storage premiums.

[boatman61]

Here you go..
https://www.apolloduck.com/advert.phtml?id=416084

[Cheechako]

Florida. You should be able to get a boat advertised at $50k for about $30k. Some will , Some wont.

[chowdan]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Florida. You should be able to get a boat advertised at $50k for about $30k. Some will , Some wont.

Cheechako, thanks, thats the type of deal we are looking for. I would assume deals like this are more "underground" and not listed on the interwebs and more focused on word of mouth sales? Or are you talking about listings that are present and listed at 50k?

Originally Posted by boatman61

Here you go..
https://www.apolloduck.com/advert.phtml?id=416084

Thanks Boatman - I actually have contacted the brokers about a week ago regarding this boat asking for more details/specs/photos. Do you know anything about these boats? Seems like they are a very rare thing? I love aft cabins and center cockpits and would much prefer a boat like this(or a Morgan OI 41 or so). Seems like the owners haven't used this boat much and are looking to offload asap. Apparently the engine is not running - though they have no info on whats wrong and they are entertaining any offers(which is another reason I like this one).

If for example I could get it for $10-15k, it'd leave me with enough cash to either fix or outright replace the engine and still have a bit of capital remaining.

[bobnlesley]

If your plan is to sail in the Caribbean for a year or two, then buy down there rather than in Florida, you'll use up several weeks/months of your year or two just getting the boat from Florida to the islands (I'm assuming you're aiming for the eastern Caribbean?) and there'll be boats you see that whilst they're fit for and capable of sailing the islands, perhaps aren't up to getting there from Florida - you're looking at either a very long offshore passage, a long upwind offshore passage or a lot of motoring for that trip. I would suggest that the widest choice and best most negotiable prices will be found in Trinidad or Grenada, though St Martin usually has a few worth looking at too

[hellosailor]

dan- Just remember to check out the venue complications before you go shopping. Sometimes dollars are taken, sometimes not. Currency exchange takes a bite. And "cash" means nothing to most sellers, here or abroad, since it isn't taxable income they need to hide or something. Where you buy it and where you register and title it, will impact the total price. Some places tax the transaction, some may not have the same title status, so you need to know how to check (especially in a private sale) if there are perhaps liens on the boat. If you don't register it in the US (state or federal documentation) you may find problems with insurance, which many marinas will want, and other issues. Of course if all that is old news and not a problem for you...Nevermind. Enjoy the boat.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by chowdan

Thanks Boatman - I actually have contacted the brokers about a week ago regarding this boat asking for more details/specs/photos. Do you know anything about these boats? Seems like they are a very rare thing? I love aft cabins and center cockpits and would much prefer a boat like this(or a Morgan OI 41 or so). Seems like the owners haven't used this boat much and are looking to offload asap. Apparently the engine is not running - though they have no info on whats wrong and they are entertaining any offers(which is another reason I like this one).

If for example I could get it for $10-15k, it'd leave me with enough cash to either fix or outright replace the engine and still have a bit of capital remaining.

They were I believe a short run.. have never come across one myself but DuFour designed/built some good strong boats back then.. likely was to big for the era..
The builder alone makes it worth checking out.. get as much info as you can about the hurricane damage repaired and a good surveyor..

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by chowdan

Cheechako, thanks, thats the type of deal we are looking for. I would assume deals like this are more "underground" and not listed on the interwebs and more focused on word of mouth sales? Or are you talking about listings that are present and listed at 50k?



Thanks Boatman - I actually have contacted the brokers about a week ago regarding this boat asking for more details/specs/photos. Do you know anything about these boats? Seems like they are a very rare thing? I love aft cabins and center cockpits and would much prefer a boat like this(or a Morgan OI 41 or so). Seems like the owners haven't used this boat much and are looking to offload asap. Apparently the engine is not running - though they have no info on whats wrong and they are entertaining any offers(which is another reason I like this one).

If for example I could get it for $10-15k, it'd leave me with enough cash to either fix or outright replace the engine and still have a bit of capital remaining.

Well, not underground. You just have to look alot, understand the market, get examples of previous listed/sold boats of the same ilk and make an offer at 50% or so and see if you can get it for 40% off. It happens.... often. What equally happens is a new seller, who loves his boat, but hasn't run the gamut of trying to sell yet... he feels his boat is worth more than other's boats. 1-2 years later he will come to reality.
Find the boat that someone has spent a bunch of recent money on, because they thought they wanted to sail the world, then their life changed, divorce, medical issues etc.
You can spend a ton of money on a bargain boat by the time you get it ready for cruising if you are not careful.
The other type of bargain boat is one that is a good solid boat, but not aesthetically what people want now days. A Morgan OI41 is in this vein.
Many sailors are helpless romantics and want that low slung, teak and varnish covered Yacht. It's a process.

[MarkJ]

Grenada or St Martin.

I found owners in SE USA refused to negotiate. I got a larger boat for less in the Caribbean.

One trick to be aware of is accomodation in St Martin can be very expensive in hotels. However there are Crew Houses for about $30 PP per night. Dorm accomodation.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Grenada or St Martin.

I found owners in SE USA refused to negotiate. I got a larger boat for less in the Caribbean.

One trick to be aware of is accomodation in St Martin can be very expensive in hotels. However there are Crew Houses for about $30 PP per night. Dorm accomodation.

Shrimpy's just by the bridge French side does rooms.. sit on the veranda and watch the boats come and go through the cut.. Time Out Boatyard and others are just up the road.

[chowdan]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Shrimpy's just by the bridge French side does rooms.. sit on the veranda and watch the boats come and go through the cut.. Time Out Boatyard and others are just up the road.

I'll definitely add them to the list of places to stay. Cheap and close to potential boats is the most important thing for me as we have a limited budget and dont want to blow it on hotels and crap and then not be able to afford a boat.

[Yogane]

Originally Posted by chowdan

Hi everyone,

We are looking to go down the Caribbean to cruise for a year or so. We have $30,000 in cash to buy our boat. We are looking to get some advice on which areas we should target that have a lot of boats for sale.

We likely will be in the area next month or the month after and are trying to figure out which areas we should focus our time in.

Thanks!

Hi.
I have a 38ft sloop for sale, my son and I just completed a trip from Panama to Trinidad so she's fully seaworthy ,currently in chaguramas,Trinidad we need to fly home to South Africa so we're selling for a very reasonable price you can contact me at rodsteyn@gmail.com

[akprb]

Go down island where dreams go to die. The added benefit is you have a nice downwind cruise back to the US (as opposed to the "thorny path") where you may sell at a bit of a profit now that your new boat is "proven".

Plenty of yards to check out down there and good advice in earlier posts. Get as far south as possible, Trinidad or Grenada.

Good luck!

[Cheechako]

Trying to buy a boat down island, in the Rio Dulce or in Mexico could get you a great bargain for sure. From what I've seen though, these are often heavily neglected. It's also difficult getting to the few available and communicating.
OTOH, Florida has hundreds of boats, cheap hotels, very cheap rental cars.
And the most important thing: You don't want to miss the best thing about the Caribe...the Bahamas on the way down island!