Negotiations for a sailboat marketed for 3 years plus

[Tillikum]

Originally Posted by raahell

That brings up another point. 3mm deck and 5mm hull plate thickness sound a bit thin for a 46' LOA sailboat meant for ocean passages. If you're contemplating ever buying a steel or aluminum boat you are well advised to get the book "Boat Strength for Builders, Designers and Owners" by Dave Gerr. This book has very straightforward rules and formulas to apply to determine the minimum "scantlings" (dimensions of ribs stringers, plating, and other structural components) of any boat, given their hull speed, displacement and LOA. I have it and it has been invaluable in weeding out good from bad and in helping me with some of the engineering changes I've made to my current steel boat. The book is used for training of USCG officers so it's well regarded.

Littlewings77 mentioned that it had new paint applied to hull. It's true, of course, that this offers good protection to the underlying steel but it can also hide problems if those were not dealt with prior to stripping and repainting. I'd always be suspicious of an owner who repaints a hull or deck and then immediately puts it up for sale. I'd ask the owner to show in pictures/receipts/survey that the hull was actually stripped to bare metal first, evaluated for damage/rust, repairs made and then repainted. If he only roughened the original coatings and repainted I'd be doubly suspicious. Same applies with brand new bilge paint.

Indeed. And these days I would be wondering where the steel plate originated as well. Anyone who has seen truck boxes rust away due to the residual scrap contamination in the steel, vs. the cabs which were built of virgin steel (old Toyotas for example), will know what I mean. In salt water the effect is probably vastly multiplied.

Japanese or European plate I would trust, the others not so much, and I wouldn't put it past some of the Europeans to buy cheap plate steel on the sly either.

Pity no one supplies wrought iron plate anymore!

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Knocker

Having viewed a vessel a couple of years back I was reasonably keen then though employment situation dictated otherwise. I didn't make any offer while adding it had already been up for sale over a year then. There will be items to address given it's been unused in a marina since. It's up for US$75k ono while it's had no takers to date. I don't want to be unreasonable yet were I to buy the vessel then I'd be in the same position come resale. Any pointers would be appreciated.

You offer the amount the boat is worth to YOU! You either want a boat or “deal” on a boat, but the 2 are only the same to YOU.

This assumes the boat is actually worth that much. If not you walk away!

[tsuidc]

One of the most important points to remember, but often overlooked when boat shopping is in your own post... "I'd be in the same position come resale". A broker friend gave me what he said was one of the most valuable advice when boat shopping "Always take into consideration the day when you will be selling the boat which you are considering buying." Boat buying is often not a rational decision, so I wonder how many of us will heed that advice.

[JPA Cate]

No one is allowed in or out of Malaysia because of Covid 19 quarantine restrictions. For this reason alone, I would not try to buy this boat at this time.

It is always difficult in foreign countries to be sure of clear title, too.

If you like dremeling rust back to shiny steel, priming and re-coating in areas you can hardly get to; don't mind having a paint brush grafted onto your hand, maybe a steel boat is for you. But possibly not one a half a world away, with quarantine restrictions abounding.

Ann