First boat for cruising the Med

[Elcid]

Thanks for the details. This will come in handy.

In an unfortunate turn of events the boat I was going to make an offer for (after setting up a viewing) is now under offer: https://www.theyachtmarket.com/en/bo...-sale/1949519/

I really liked this one, as it's in such a good condition and was located in Spain. It's been for sale since August, and from Friday to today - someone made an offer. Incredible!
Alas it was a bit out of my price range anyway.

[goboatingnow]

As I said , the sales activity is increasing rapidly as the autumn buying period comes to a close

As a broker in Greece said to me last Wednesday “ I’ve sold more in 4 weeks then the last 4 years “

[Elcid]

Wow - this must be the worst period to buy a boat then in quite some time. I guess I need to calm down and wait for spring instead.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Elcid

Wow - this must be the worst period to buy a boat then in quite some time. I guess I need to calm down and wait for spring instead.

It depends. It has convinced many sellers to offer their boats. ( many felt Covid accelerated their decision to sell , because they couldn’t access their boats abroad etc )

I sold my boat in three weeks in sept and 2% under asking , the same price 2 years ago resulted in no offers at all

I now bought my latest boat in Greece in 3 weeks with considerable choice albeit you needed to make up your mind quickly, prices were largely consistent across Europe ( blame the net for that)

It’s not likely to be much better this side of 2022 , I think if the Covid vaccine is applied in Q1 then half the world will go mad buying boats to go sailing in the summer

Sorry , this isn’t a market to dawdle in. get your skates on , get on the ground , look and make an offer , I’m mean surely you know what you’re looking for at this stage and the typical asking range ( and actual selling prices)

What I do is decide on a couple of candidates , build price knowledge , seek them out and pounce

There’s nothing worse having some sort of “ vague “ idea of what boat you want or believing waiting for that “ Bargain “ that has passed unnoticed , forget it , it’s it not real.

Get stuck in , go local ( ie be physically on the ground ) , decide and buy , the best boat “ is the one you own “

[Elcid]

Sure, but I've waited for 11 years, I can wait longer if need be. I worked hard for this money and I'm not going to settle for a bad deal just because people are going crazy from the lockdown COVID will pass - hopefully with me still alive and kicking

I have a fairly good idea of what I want as you mentioned and I am going to follow the listings meanwhile.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Elcid

Sure, but I've waited for 11 years, I can wait longer if need be. I worked hard for this money and I'm not going to settle for a bad deal just because people are going crazy from the lockdown COVID will pass - hopefully with me still alive and kicking



I have a fairly good idea of what I want as you mentioned and I am going to follow the listings meanwhile.

Your waiting 11 years to buy a boat ( or saving for 11 years ? )

Following listings is just boat porn , you either buying or your not.

I don’t think we’ll see an easing of the market this side of 2022 and Covid has demonstrated to urban people the drawbacks of lack of access to the countryside ( sea) and hence the demand ( my rural house in Ireland has junked in value by 30% in a year , not selling of course )

So it maybe there will be increased demand for “ outdoor” pursuits from an urban population

So I think second guessing the future is worth it. It might be better for u but equally it might be worse

Remember your money is being inflated away as you wait and running costs , marina , yard fees , parts are rising

[Elcid]

I meant dreaming of moving on a boat & saving money. The active search I started more recently, due to switching to a remote job.

The money is invested - so I welcome inflation

You are right, I never considered this context. But it makes sense for people to look for alternatives in this environment. And like me, there might be more people who are now able to work remotely and are making moves towards rural, boats, etc.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Elcid

I meant dreaming of moving on a boat & saving money. The active search I started more recently, due to switching to a remote job.

The money is invested - so I welcome inflation

You are right, I never considered this context. But it makes sense for people to look for alternatives in this environment. And like me, there might be more people who are now able to work remotely and are making moves towards rural, boats, etc.

Indeed , best of luck as you search , time however is limited on this planet.

[Elcid]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Indeed , best of luck as you search , time however is limited on this planet.

Thanks!

Quick question as I see you are into boat tech: from my research a Netgear Nighthawk M2 could be a good option for internet on the boat?
From your experience, in Europe - would this allow me to do video conf at an ok quality? (e.g. so we can understand each other). Or do I need more expensive options (antennas, a better modem etc)

[goboatingnow]

Nighthawk m2 is a very capable LTE grade cellular router

In Europe most places these days have good 3G and increasingly 4G. Greece is very good is this regard

( I have an unlimited LTE data plan in Ireland which transferred without limit to Greece so I use it in preference to cafe Wi-Fi )

So generally the answer is yes.

In fact I use a HUAWEI cellular router ( €100) and works well for zoom , teams and google meets

[Elcid]

Sounds good, cheers!

[goboatingnow]

Oh I used this as an antenna on the solar arch https://www.eurodk.com/en/products/l...na-800-2600mhz

For my LTE router but I’m not sure it helped a lot. In fact it would pick up weak 4G and make the router try a 4G approach often when a better 3G signal was present. In fact I ended up disabling the 4G option on the router as a result

[Elcid]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

As I said , the sales activity is increasing rapidly as the autumn buying period comes to a close

As a broker in Greece said to me last Wednesday “ I’ve sold more in 4 weeks then the last 4 years “

Interesting article regarding your observation: https://www.theyachtmarket.com/en/ar...at_sales_boom/

[chasfgr]

Originally Posted by Elcid

So it's part of the negotiation then. But generally it would be split between the two parties? Or is it assumed the buyer/seller will cover it? What's the starting point of the negotiation basically is what I am trying to understand. Or there's no such assumption - and it all hinges on the negotiation?

Also I found a boat I like (this one is with VAT paid, UK registered) and I sort of told the broker what price I would be interested in (about 12% below the asking price). Will this be relayed back to the owner or should I ask the broker to have a meeting - how do I take it from here?

As the broker is acting on behalf of the seller, it's very gullible to expect, as a buyer, for them to look after your interests - as so happens most brokers do strike a happy mean. It also means the seller is responsible for the fee payable.

As to whether the broker relays your info back to the seller is dependent on how seriously, he considers, you are engaged and intend to proceed.
I've only bought/sold boats privately - but hey, "some of my best friends are brokers and most earn every penny of their commission,"

[chasfgr]

Originally Posted by Elcid

Thanks!

Quick question as I see you are into boat tech: from my research a Netgear Nighthawk M2 could be a good option for internet on the boat?
From your experience, in Europe - would this allow me to do video conf at an ok quality? (e.g. so we can understand each other). Or do I need more expensive options (antennas, a better modem etc)

The high-tech routers only go a short way to rectifying the signal quality.
I invested in a high quality 3g/4g router and have invariably (except on passage) enjoyed communication - frequently the connection was not sufficient for video - but that's true of cover over 60% of the UK landmass as well (the Highlands are very large and London conurbation pretty small in comparison)