Get a Michigan or Florida sailboat

[CaptRican]

I am debating whether i should get a Michigan sailboat in the spring or head to Florida soon since i am going to be down there anyways, and get a sailboat in Florida like now. Otherwise i have to wait until the spring here in Michigan to get the sailboat.

Some people have said that getting a fresh water sailboat is better and getting a boat from the north ensures that it has a heater. Others discard all that as non sense.

I like to hear as many opinions and information as possible.

I also read that a fresh water sailboat has less wear and tear than the same sailboat in salt water? Is that true?

Thanks!

[Calif.Ted]

It's not so much wear and tear as exposure to the corrosive effects of salt, it's not just the crystals that form after water dries on the deck and hull, it's in the air. I took a radio in for repair once and the guy asked "What, do you live on a boat ? Every piece of metal in this radio is corroded". So, pretty much only affects the metal parts of the boat, I've never had a freshwater boat so I don't know how much less the wear may be. One thing, a Florida boat probably has a much longer season and doesn't spend much time on the hard.

[CaptRican]

Originally Posted by Calif.Ted

It's not so much wear and tear as exposure to the corrosive effects of salt, it's not just the crystals that form after water dries on the deck and hull, it's in the air. I took a radio in for repair once and the guy asked "What, do you live on a boat ? Every piece of metal in this radio is corroded". So, pretty much only affects the metal parts of the boat, I've never had a freshwater boat so I don't know how much less the wear may be. One thing, a Florida boat probably has a much longer season and doesn't spend much time on the hard.

Hey thanks for the info.

So, if it has longer season (greater wear and tear? right?
Is there a problems with having the sailboat on the hard for longer periods? or lesser periods?

I am new at all this thanks for the help!

[Blue Crab]

I think the key is that you're ready to go. Lotsa just fine boats in Flora-dah. Easy trip and can look at boats for sale when you hit whatever coast. Nice problem to have.

[nknowland]

We faced the same dilemma. The best advice we got was to buy a boat where you are going to sail b/c it will have the equipment you need. For example, when looking at boats in the Chicago area, we found they seldom had much ground tackle b/c people in that area don't anchor.

[puffcard]

NO TO FLORIDA BOATS. They get 5 times the UV, get all the blisters and so many are neglected. That is a general statement about the used boats there, of course there are many fine yachts down there. Go look at New England, where the boats spend 9 months out of the water, most are well maintain by yards and owned by knowledgeable owners. When I went looking for boats, I didn't get out of the car till I was North of NY.

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by puffcard

They get 5 times the UV, get all the blisters and so many are neglected.

This must be my "you spent too much time online, go play outside" cue

[CaptRican]

Originally Posted by puffcard

NO TO FLORIDA BOATS. They get 5 times the UV, get all the blisters and so many are neglected. That is a general statement about the used boats there, of course there are many fine yachts down there. Go look at New England, where the boats spend 9 months out of the water, most are well maintain by yards and owned by knowledgeable owners. When I went looking for boats, I didn't get out of the car till I was North of NY.

Thanks, i guess i will look up here. It just makes sense. New England? It is pretty up there. I have seen some nice 323 up here for sale. I just talked to a broker in Chicago about a 323 there.

We will see what happens. I still have about 5 months of looking before i finally buy the sailboat.

Thanks for the input.

[Mike OReilly]

Great Lakes boats get used, at most, for six months out of the year. Many get closer to four months. So in that sense they get far less usage, and therefore much less wear and tear. They also don't sit in a corrosive soup that is trying to destroy everything metallic. Nor do they face the intense UV rays of boats down south. So, all things being equal, a Great Lakes boat can be a better deal than one from Florida.

However, things are never equal.

I'd weigh boat quality and good maintenance much higher than Great Lakes vs Florida. There is also wisdom in buying one in the location you expect to be cruising. It will likely be properly fitted out for that region compared to one from away.

BTW, buying a boat up here does not guarantee it has a heater. Mine doesn't, and I used to sail Lake Superior.

[rbyham]

Of all the factors that need to be considered in purchasing a boat, geography would be the last factor for me. There is so much that is more important to think about... Better you would provide some information about budget, type of boat, skill level, and where you plan to go. With that info a forum like this can be very helpful.

[boatpoker]

My buddy Jay Stormer has some great photos of salt water rigging corrosion on his website.
I have some good photos of salt water corrosion on other parts of boats on my own website.

You might also consider looking in Canada as you'll get at least a 25% discount with the Canadian dollarette in the toilet.

[puffcard]

Originally Posted by CaptRican

Thanks, i guess i will look up here. It just makes sense. New England? It is pretty up there. I have seen some nice 323 up here for sale. I just talked to a broker in Chicago about a 323 there.

We will see what happens. I still have about 5 months of looking before i finally buy the sailboat.

Thanks for the input.

What 323 you looking at Person, Morgan or Beneteau? The Beneteau is a big midsize boat for 33ft. If it is a Beneteau, there is a better chance a Fla boat is a former charter boat. That's a very popular charter boat and a good question to ask. Although I know a guy who just bought a former charter boat a 44ft Cat. He got a killer deal because people shy away from them. The kicker was it was only chartered for 11 weeks, it showed like new. When a saw it I was wow. That boat was bought back to Annapolis cause the former owner couldn't sell it in Fla.

Good points about freshwater boats, little to no corrosion. What a nice thing.
As far as equipment, there is little difference between well equipped boats and the locations. Except like mine it came with a heater and a boat in Fla will have AC...to keep the mold out. On the plus a lot of Fla boats have new electronics...because they were hit by lightning. Ok I'll stop with the Fla bashing, since I'm down here.

[Nicholson58]

I always suggest the Great Lakes if you care to make the search. Many are on Yachworld. We are on the hard at Torresen Marine in Muskegon - many yachts on their brokerage site. In general, boats here are sailed only weekends; only if the weather is good; only from May to September. No salt, cold water = no blisters. Short summer with lower sun angles = less UV attack. Out of the water each year lets the hull dry out - usually with good winter covers. Fresh paint & wax every spring. These boats can be real sweet deals. The old vessels are often like newish. As noted, they often are not outfitted for blue water cruising and may have marginal ground tackle GOOD!! You want new stuff here and modern electronics, autopilot, refrigeration, etc. Most boats do not have heaters as nobody sails when the weather is poor. Make sure the vessel was kept dry over winter storage. I have seen some with water in the bilge. Happy hunting.


Photos for the Torresen lot. I have seen many of these. (handy-man special here too - can you spot it?) Torresen Marine, Inc. - The Sailboat Specialists (Muskegon, MI)

Perhaps you might like this one; Blue-water equipped 47 ft Vagabond. Torresen Marine, Inc. - The Sailboat Specialists (Muskegon, MI)&

[CaptRican]

Originally Posted by rbyham

Of all the factors that need to be considered in purchasing a boat, geography would be the last factor for me. There is so much that is more important to think about... Better you would provide some information about budget, type of boat, skill level, and where you plan to go. With that info a forum like this can be very helpful.

Budget-$10 to $15
Sailboat-Pearson 323 or similar
skill level-will take classes in the spring
Plan- Sail out of Lake Michigan into the eastern seaboard head south to Florida then on to Puerto Rico a year later and sail the Caribbean basin.

Let's hear it!
thanks!

[CaptRican]

[QUOTE=puffcard;1990716]What 323 you looking at Person, Morgan or Beneteau?


1978 Pearson 32 323.
Thank you for helping me with information.