Boats Less Than $30K Recent Noteworthy Finds

[Dave22q]

Thinking about going with marina live aboard and day sailor for play. Morgan 33 O/I fully loaded 20 K.

[Kenatsea]

Originally Posted by Yeti

This here exactly! I generally don't like to talk negative about people but this guy needs a warning label. A year and half ago this guy was on the board asking for advice and shared knowledge on things. Several people gave him basic advice about staying in SoCal and getting to know the boat and such. His response:

yeah: funny thing is im getting warnings to get more seatime. im norwegian. i got my first boat at 8. i sailed thousands and thousands and thousands of hrs commercially and on pleasure craft and been to and fro russia, seattle, ak, norway aboard boats..i kind of wonder how much more seatime these people want me to get..that being said; yes, be prepared but for christ sake at some point get off the computer and GO!

Again I really try not to flame or be negative about things but buyer beware on a boat that was cared for with this kind of attitude.


Here's the link to the thread the above statement came from.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...-145775-2.html

Agree with your concern (IMHO)
Talked to him today, he is reneging on price and now want's $16K

[Kenatsea]

BTW - Elskede - means "I Love You" in Scando Land!

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by hamburking

Just came across this 1972 Morgan 42 asking $20k on ebay (link below). I really like the layout, and it seems like a solid and simple boat. Good engine. Love the pilot berths...great for kids or a family. A couple drawbacks....6 foot draft is a bit deep, but workable. And its a racer, so for a 42 footer, has the space of a 35 below. Located on the great lakes, so a great place for a newbie to start in a safe environment, and a good launch point to head south to the Caribbean.

1972 Morgan 42 MK II Used

https://www.popyachts.com/racing-sai...ichigan-111937

Looking at the newer engine and the newer electrical panel, this boat has been updated and cared for. And freshwater is a good sign too.

I'm not far from this boat, and it really looks good in the pictures and video...I might have to consider this one for myself (provided no one here flames it). This one really seems like the dream boat of so many newbies on here looking for a solid safe boat to get started on that big adventure.

https://youtu.be/A6wQ5zIBoW4

Wow, that is one I'd definitely go take a good look at, especially at the price! I have a feeling the more you look at it, the more you'll like it. I did not see the condition of the sails, but as a design, as a sail boat, there is a lot to appreciate in old Morgan's!

[Bleemus]

Originally Posted by Suijin

Personally speaking, after watching the owner's YT videos, I would not buy a boat from that guy. Seems like a bit of a flake, rambling on with disorganized thinking. Would make me suspicious of all sorts of boat maintenance decisions he might (or might not) have made.

When you buy a boat, it's not what you know about it that will bite you in the ass, it's what you don't know about it.

Thought the same thing. He was clueless. Made no attempt to fix anything and just sat in the cockpit smoking cigarettes and whining about 20 knots of wind being a storm. Wouldnt touch that boat with my hands.

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by kazo

so eBay has number of listings that may incite an eager buyer (me including),
what is a way to handle it?, any suggestions/experiences?.....]
POP Yachts looks legitimate and states:At POP Yachts, we will always provide you with a TRUE representation of every vessel we market. We encourage all buyers to schedule a survey for an independent analysis. Any offer to purchase is ALWAYS subject to satisfactory survey results.
They have close to 300 boats on eBay (to unload some 'stagnant'(?), listings)
But because of that a good deal is possible, like this one(?):
1986 Pearson 36-2 Used | eBay
From what I see all listings include "or best offer" option, I like openness to bargain.
Added them to my 'favorite' list

POP Yachts kinda looks like the uber of yacht sales. They use regular folk all over the country to take pictures of private boats for sale, and they do the advertising.

I hate to say, it looks legit, and some excellent deals too. Remember, its really really hard to sell a 40 year old sailboat....I know, I sold mine and got only a fraction of what it was "worth". Did it have minor problems...sure....every boat does....but that didn't stop the new owner from doing a 1000 mile trip almost right away, and he returned home safe and happy. Back to my point though....old boats are tough to sell, so wide distribution advertising, like ebay, is the way to go.

I would be reluctant to make an offer or bid on an ebay sailboat (althouth that survey clause does give me some confidence with POP Yachts) without actually seeing the boat first. But if I'm going to travel to see a boat, the POP Yachts method at least allows us to set the (extremely low) price before paying for travel.

Buying a boat is an adventure in itself, and likely is the fodder for at least half the threads here on CF.

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by kazo

From what I see all listings include "or best offer" option, I like openness to bargain.
Added them to my 'favorite' list

I have made very low offers (not on ebay, but in person/email/private sale) several times. I was always very polite, and open about my phishing for a great deal. Several times my offers have been accepted, and I bought some great boats for almost nothing. Other sellers have called me back weeks/months later and offered me their boat FOR FREE.

Owning a boat you do not use is awful...you still have to do maintenance, you still have to pay for a slip/storage/haulout/insurance/whatever. Sometimes the owners of old boats are smart enough to realize this and will take any offer...sometimes seeing the boat going to someone who wants it, will care for it, will sail it, is more important than a few dollars.

I bought a Tanzer 22 from an estate. The boat had sat on the hard for 3 years with the family paying storage fees. The boat was absolutely filthy. I offered 30% of the asking price and they accepted.

I bought a Cal25 that had been on the hard for 5 years. The seller said it would have been cheaper for him to give the boat away for free on the first day rather than the 5 years of storage and depreciation on the boat. He begged me to make an offer. I offered 8% of his original asking price and got the boat.

I bought a Paceship 29 in Toronto for $100 and sailed it home. The seller was so happy to find someone who wanted his boat. His club was after him to pay several thousand dollars for the seasonal slip.

So what I'm trying to say is...be nice, but bid low, you never know.

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Wow, that is one I'd definitely go take a good look at, especially at the price! I have a feeling the more you look at it, the more you'll like it. I did not see the condition of the sails, but as a design, as a sail boat, there is a lot to appreciate in old Morgan's!

I know, right? That is a great looking boat!

I've always loved the upper pilot berths...always wanted them for my kids. Also, new engine, new wiring, this guy took care of the boat. I may have to go see it for myself (about a 5 hour drive each way though...ouch). If it had shallower draft, I'd be all over it. I have Caribbean dreams and 6 foot draft is not great. Also not great for the thin water of the 1000 islands, which are my home cruising grounds.

[hamburking]

This is a great boat for sale local to me...Prinyers Cove, east end of Lake Ontario.

Tanzer 26, pretty much ready to sail, current price is $3000. I've emailed with the owners and they seem legit.

26' Tanzer | sailboats | Kingston | Kijiji

Here is a copy of the ad text, for those of you with slow internet:

1977 Tanzer 26' PRICED TO SELL AT $4000 obo!
Good shape, ready to sail. Has furling gear with genoa and main sail. Hull and keel maintained annually. 12 horsepower long shaft Nissan outboard 2 stroke motor. Has Bimini top and doger (doger canvas needs repair). Cockpit seats are in excellent condition. Interior cushions are in fair shape. Sink, icebox and 2 burner stove all in working order. The head and pump out tank is in good condition. It has compass knot meter and depth indicator and 2 anchors. Boat will sleep 4 comfortably. Comes with cradle. It is presently moored in Prinyer's Cove, near Picton,ON. Buyer is responsible for own transportation- does not include trailer

[kazo]

Originally Posted by hamburking

I have made very low offers (not on ebay, but in person/email/private sale) several times. I was always very polite, and open about my phishing for a great deal. Several times my offers have been accepted, and I bought some great boats for almost nothing. Other sellers have called me back weeks/months later and offered me their boat FOR FREE.

Owning a boat you do not use is awful...you still have to do maintenance, you still have to pay for a slip/storage/haulout/insurance/whatever. Sometimes the owners of old boats are smart enough to realize this and will take any offer...sometimes seeing the boat going to someone who wants it, will care for it, will sail it, is more important than a few dollars.

I bought a Tanzer 22 from an estate. The boat had sat on the hard for 3 years with the family paying storage fees. The boat was absolutely filthy. I offered 30% of the asking price and they accepted.

I bought a Cal25 that had been on the hard for 5 years. The seller said it would have been cheaper for him to give the boat away for free on the first day rather than the 5 years of storage and depreciation on the boat. He begged me to make an offer. I offered 8% of his original asking price and got the boat.

I bought a Paceship 29 in Toronto for $100 and sailed it home. The seller was so happy to find someone who wanted his boat. His club was after him to pay several thousand dollars for the seasonal slip.

So what I'm trying to say is...be nice, but bid low, you never know.

thanks for the input.
Here's the boat I have my eye on, it ticks off more of what I would need
My Boat for Sale - Blue water cruising sailboat for sale in Ontario, Canada
Talked to the owner, gave me the builder contact (Perry Sound), may pursue further. Bruce Robert's skegged rudder has a 'bad press' though giving me a pause.., price too, comparing to all the other deals(?) I'm reading about here.
But if I'm to live my 'dream' I cannot spend too much time tinkering with a boat (past retiring and still working ), and that one looks like 'ready to go'

[Scout 30]

Originally Posted by hamburking

I have made very low offers (not on ebay, but in person/email/private sale) several times. I was always very polite, and open about my phishing for a great deal. Several times my offers have been accepted, and I bought some great boats for almost nothing. Other sellers have called me back weeks/months later and offered me their boat FOR FREE.

Owning a boat you do not use is awful...you still have to do maintenance, you still have to pay for a slip/storage/haulout/insurance/whatever. Sometimes the owners of old boats are smart enough to realize this and will take any offer...sometimes seeing the boat going to someone who wants it, will care for it, will sail it, is more important than a few dollars.

I bought a Tanzer 22 from an estate. The boat had sat on the hard for 3 years with the family paying storage fees. The boat was absolutely filthy. I offered 30% of the asking price and they accepted.

I bought a Cal25 that had been on the hard for 5 years. The seller said it would have been cheaper for him to give the boat away for free on the first day rather than the 5 years of storage and depreciation on the boat. He begged me to make an offer. I offered 8% of his original asking price and got the boat.

I bought a Paceship 29 in Toronto for $100 and sailed it home. The seller was so happy to find someone who wanted his boat. His club was after him to pay several thousand dollars for the seasonal slip.

So what I'm trying to say is...be nice, but bid low, you never know.

This makes sense for a distress sale, an undesirable boat or a boat in poor condition but for a desirable boat in good condition, especially if it's already competitively priced, be prepared to pay much closer to the list price. I made an offer 20% below the list price on a small sailboat a couple of months ago. It was a neat boat in average condition. The seller came down 10% but would not go any lower so I walked away. After thinking about it for a couple of days I decided 10% off the asking price was a fair price so I went back & it was already sold.

The lesson here is that you have to know the market value of the boat you are buying. The asking price could be the market value or it could be above it. However, the asking price could already be below the boat's market value, in which case low balling the seller would be the same as not buying it. If you just want to bid low on a bunch of boats you will get one eventually but it probably won't be the one you want.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Jdege

This one is well under $30k, but I'm not sure you could pay me to take it.

1974 Hartog Holland Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

The engine is as filthy as the heads

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by hamburking

I know, right? That is a great looking boat!

I've always loved the upper pilot berths...always wanted them for my kids. Also, new engine, new wiring, this guy took care of the boat. I may have to go see it for myself (about a 5 hour drive each way though...ouch). If it had shallower draft, I'd be all over it. I have Caribbean dreams and 6 foot draft is not great. Also not great for the thin water of the 1000 islands, which are my home cruising grounds.

Yeah it is a little deep, but the improved upwind performance might be worth it depending on where you are going.

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by Scout 30

If you just want to bid low on a bunch of boats you will get one eventually but it probably won't be the one you want.

Low offers were all my budget could do at that time...in fact I did exactly what you said...I found 3 suitable boats and made low offers on all 3 on the same day, telling each seller exactly what I had done. One guy called me up immediately to accept my offer, which was around half his asking price. It was my least favorite of the bunch, but was a good boat, loaded with gear. Sure, it wasn't my dream boat, but it got me and my kids out on the water for some great adventures. When I saw the name of the boat I laughed out loud...."Compromise".

[Scout 30]

Originally Posted by hamburking

Low offers were all my budget could do at that time...in fact I did exactly what you said...I found 3 suitable boats and made low offers on all 3 on the same day, telling each seller exactly what I had done. One guy called me up immediately to accept my offer, which was around half his asking price. It was my least favorite of the bunch, but was a good boat, loaded with gear. Sure, it wasn't my dream boat, but it got me and my kids out on the water for some great adventures. When I saw the name of the boat I laughed out loud...."Compromise".

Excellent name! But don't feel bad, that name applies to every boat there is.