Considering purchasing a Nautitech 475 catamaran

[ScottandGrace]

We kept finding fresh water in our port hull, and eventually traced it to a loose fitting on the water tank under the port berth.

[admiralslater]

I am not sure of the hull layup ie coring. If it comes back good on survey and every thing else looks ok I would go for it on the understanding that the windows ,may have to be redone etc . Good boats like that can always be sold .

[smj]

Looks like a great boat at a good price. If it’s the type catamaran your looking for get a good survey and then proceed.

[johnn33]

This appears to be an old youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBM-R4gTJdw

John

[Tin Tin]

Re water leak. It may be the air conditioner ejects condensate into the bilge which is then pumped out. A lot of brokers in Florida run the air conditioning so boat stays dry, reduces mold and a nice feeling for prospective buyers in summer.

[conchaway]

Just stay in calm water, and everything will be fine.

[tomrealest]

Awlgrip is very expensive paint. To me that is a good sign that the previous owner wanted the best materials.

Top notch survey is the most important thing. Go for it.

[Sos]

Originally Posted by ausnp84

Keep us posted how you get on! I just took the keys to my new cat last Monday and it's a great feeling to finally get possession and have the boat in your name.
n

Thread drift!

Can I ask what boat you got?

[Tin Tin]

Originally Posted by Sos

Thread drift!

Can I ask what boat you got?

post #1



https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ed-238628.html

[ausnp84]

Originally Posted by Tin Tin

post #1



https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ed-238628.html

Ta for that. I sent Sos a PM as I didn't want this thread to wander too far (that and I'm really keen to hear more about this N475).


The N475 and my cat are lightyears apart in terms of size and price but y'know, a new cat is a new cat, and there's always trepidation and some nerves between initially agreeing to buy and actually taking possession....


n

[Tupaia]

Originally Posted by conchaway

Just stay in calm water, and everything will be fine.

thread drift

Another tragedy sailor dies and crew just survive when their MONOhull sank.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/...-sailing-trust

[smj]

Originally Posted by Tupaia

thread drift

Another tragedy sailor dies and crew just survive when their MONOhull sank.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/...-sailing-trust

I hear those death traps also sink in calm waters, like when tied up in their slips. I believe that is one of the most common insurance totals, sinking while tied up at one’s slip, in calm water.

[SFer]

Looks like a fun boat! Financially I agree it would be hard to go wrong - you can't depreciate much more than that. Even if you did, it wouldn't be that much compared to just about any other cat. Newer standing rigging is huge. I would ignore the surveyed "value" and just compare to what else is out there for the same price.

[ausnp84]

Originally Posted by SFer

Newer standing rigging is huge.

Cost? Stainless standing rigging isn't terribly expensive (my 42ft cat last year came to about £4k, with me doing the stripping down work, taking it to the rigger, and refitting it myself). No idea on cost of dyneema or synthetic costs though...


n

[JimmyDarci]

We own and are still refitting a 1993 cat. Overall great purchase for the right price. Love the boat and yes she sails great for a fraction of the new boat price. That said, you will spend money upgrading systems - somewhere, somehow, almost guaranteed.
Consider the following;
1. Offer less based upon the following surveys. Do not just get a typical surveyor. Yes, even if they say they are the best, that means they are very busy and all of us have only limited time. This boating season has seen a huge increase in boat sails and you will likely have trouble finding a top level surveyor in short order. All marine industry is jammed with work orders at the moment and much is still backordered. (Thank you corona virus- sarcasm intended here) In addition to a surveyor, hire specialists for the following:

electrical (have them pull panels and engage in other detailed non-destructive testing) go over full DC and AC systems, open the helm and all panels. Check voltages. Cats have solar typically., how is the solar and battery bank?

Steering - hydraulic? Check pump and all lines. Crawl into these spaces yourself and use all five senses. Touch for oily stuff? Smells?

Plumbing - carefully inspect. Changing shitty parts at sea just plain sucks and takes the shine out of a “new”” boat quite quickly.

Electronic systems - Get a specialist to look at the systems. Why? Because this stuff changes more quickly than a teenager changes outfits. Your best surveyors are hard pressed to be expert in everything and remain on the cutting edge of technology.

Surveyor. - Of course Hire the bet surveyor you can in addition to the above three or four. Check the basics - fiberglass above and below waterline, rudders, standing rigging, etc. insurance company will insist on a standard survey anyway.

My point is that you are spending a lot of money on this and there is definitely work that needs to be done since it is an older boat. You should plan to spend 5-8k on detailed inspections and I bet you will both save more on “unexpected “ repairs as well as save on the purchase price.

One other point. Call for insurance prices NOW. Before you spend $ on surveys. Boats older than about 18 years can be great but hard to insure. We got a recreational quote for ours at about $8,000 per year and we have 3 highly licensed and qualified captains in our immediate family. Since we take out passengers for hire, we then looked at commercial insurance and saved thousands per year. Consider commercial insurance if you are licensed to obtain. Consider getting licensed if you want to save over $5,000 per year on insurance The knowledge is antastic even if you are not planning to charter much. Commercial insurance is much cheaper for good reason but that is a different thread. Insurance companies offer lower commercial rates because we are always at the boat, fixing, maintaining and yes, sailing when all systems are working.

Bottom line: older boats are great and can be a deal Most boats will last longer than you can sail them. But the marine environment degrades systems quickly and you deserve the opportunity to know exactly what you are buying. So insist on several specific surveys - more eyes on specific systems will save you money in the long run.. We have done this on older boats and when we did.not, we have paid more for certain repairs later. A catamaran of that size is like a small floating city. Roll the dice or at least get separate electrical, electronics and a great surveyor.
Good luck, Inam betting you find about $30-50k in repairs you still need to do after purchasing a “very well maintained” cat in that size Could be a great value. Do your homework.