1975 Morgan -to buy or not to buy???? HELP

[Jennybug]

Ok, folks
It seems that someone else is very interested in the boat that I posted about earlier (swing keel). We would be blessed to have your opinion regarding the purchase.

Would you buy this boat unseen?? Please respond as quickly as possible. We might be jumping a plane this weekend..if there is still time. Jen

eBay Motors: 1975 Morgan Out-Island 51 Cutter/Ketch Rigged Yacht (item 170218671684 end time May-22-08 05:05:44 PDT)

[anotherT34C]

Personally, I wouldn't spend $46K on anything unseen.

Also, I wouldn't let myself get pressured into anything. That's how mistakes are made. Remember, it's a buyers market and there's always another boat.

[Duckwheat]

No. Boats are like w_ _ _ n. There is no shortage and yes you can fall in love more than once.

Slap yourself around a little or have someone do it for you.

DW

[SV Someday Came]

Originally Posted by Jennybug

Ok, folks
It seems that someone else is very interested in the boat that I posted about earlier (swing keel). We would be blessed to have your opinion regarding the purchase.

Would you buy this boat unseen?? Please respond as quickly as possible. We might be jumping a plane this weekend..if there is still time. Jen

Wow. You have it bad. You are frantically asking on the internet if you should buy a boat unseen? Jumping on a plane?? Blessed to have our opinion?

Yes, I agree: You are confused. I would also add you are consumed with passion. A rather unsteady combination, no? Take a cold shower.

No, do not buy the boat unseen. In fact, dont even buy the boat after you have seen it. Your thinking is clouded right now.

Michael

[Boracay]

Look at the picture of the engine.

It will give you an idea of what the boat is like when the rose coloured glasses come off.

Do you have any idea of how long it takes to restore a 33 year old 51' sailboat , or how much it costs?

Why do you want this boat anyway?

[mickmul]

Though I fully understand the passion element (which is intensified by boats I think) and while maybe this boat is worth a look . . will you have a proper survey by the time bidding ends? Is the boat the right size for your needs? Big boat = big berthing, upkeep, insurance, etc etc . . . Why not try for a survey and if you are really convinced, bid up until the reserve is met? But remember the old saying, "Buy in haste, repent at leisure". If this boat was not a "fire-sale" it would probably be with a broker. . . .

[Hampus]

No, no! Run away from it and never look back! Just look at the electrical installations and the state that the interior is in! I have looked at enough used cars and boats to know that if you can see flaws on the pictures, it's 10 times worse in real life. I'm currently doing a "sailing restoration" of my 22 year old 31 feet double ender. It's a lot of work and expensive. Just imagine what it would be like on a 30 year old 51 feet boat!

The engine looks like it could be used as a decent anchor though

/Hampus, Sweden

[Boomp]

Its a buyers market. I too say "No" to an unseen purchase...I have a friend who did on a boat he was passionate about. He offered 20% though, and they took it! And it turned out to be a real beauty.

[jzk]

This boat may very well be a fine opportunity. Yeah, it looks a bit of a mess, but a 50 foot boat for under 50k?

However, this is not the right way to buy a boat. Go down there and look at it first hand before the auction ends.

Then comes the question of a survey. I would not buy a 50k boat without one.

[Jay Jennings]

And, just because the auction ends doesn't mean someone will buy it. If they don't have a winning bid then you're in a better position to dicker with them if you really decide it's the boat for you.

I was looking at that boat just a few ours ago and was thinking similar thoughts -- then I looked more closely at some of the pictures and realized my wife would leave me if that was our first boat.

I watched Captain Ron again the other night and realized again how we men look right *through* what is and see the what could be. Women look at the same thing and go, "Ewww!"

Jay Jennings

[TOM]

Tell ya what, give me the 46k and after 6 months I will give you 26k back that way you will only loose 30k

[Holding Pattern]

Did you see this??? It sounds as if you don't do it 'their way' and mitigate the bidding process for a straight sale transaction, then they will strip the electronics and sell them separately.... what will they leave behind if you win by bid.

There are over $15000.00 worth of new electronics, that comes with original receipts and waranty cards.
The full package of electronics is available with Buy It Now Option Only!

[jzk]

Originally Posted by Jay Jennings

I was looking at that boat just a few ours ago and was thinking similar thoughts -- then I looked more closely at some of the pictures and realized my wife would leave me if that was our first boat.

I watched Captain Ron again the other night and realized again how we men look right *through* what is and see the what could be. Women look at the same thing and go, "Ewww!"

Jay Jennings

Don't be too hard on the tubby Morgan. It has its place, and I suspect if you clean it up, a woman might be drawn to the interior volume and especially the bathtub! I am told this is a strong boat that was designed for charter such that it was hard to hurt even if run aground, etc. I knew a few people that retired on them and they loved them. A few of them didn't come from a sailing background, so the "looks" of the vessel wasn't really a problem for them!

[Jay Jennings]

Originally Posted by jzk

Don't be too hard on the tubby Morgan. It has its place, and I suspect if you clean it up, a woman might be drawn to the interior volume and especially the bathtub!

Yes, for sure! But my wife is "iffy" on the whole proposition, so I'm going to try and err on the side of caution.

And still not spend a million. =:)

Jay Jennings

[Jennybug]

Well the decision has been made: Too much of a risk purchasing a boat unseen. My husband & I sat down last night and discussed it at length. Together we decided that we didnt like the feeling of being rushed OR buying a boat unseen. What we needed was some one on one face time to discuss it.

Yes, I agree: You are confused. I would also add you are consumed with passion. A rather unsteady combination, no? Take a cold shower.

No, do not buy the boat unseen. In fact, dont even buy the boat after you have seen it. Your thinking is clouded right now.


Michael, I wouldnt say that our judgement is clouded, after all we didnt buy it.
We just like having input. We've been looking for over a year now....it's an exciting venture, but sometimes we both wish that we would find "the one".

I thoroughly appreciate everyone's opinion. I will be a lot more lax in the future when it comes to posting..I promise.

Thanks again!!
Jen