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sv Stella Maris · 02-10-2020, 08:29

Our family of 8 has lived aboard full time for two years in the Caribbean on our 45' Catamaran.

Just for reference for your knowledge:

-Boat is 2016
-Annual boat budget (everything from insurance, USCG reg, maintenance, fuel, etc) (not toys or niceties): $24,000usd

That is 5% of my boats market value at present. The other 5% is split between the the next refit looming and depreciation...there is no getting away from spending 10% of à vessel's fair market value in good, working condition.

But I second the boat using every bit of $50k usd within the first two years for equipment, simple upgrades/repairs, etcétéras.

I don't have a 'fancy' boat with all the gadgets. No air con or diesel genset. And I do most work myself.

But a modern boat like mine or the vessel proposed required modern equipment.

Good luck and don't buy want you don't intend to use within the IMMEDIATE future...which I define as 6-12 months...

RickG · 02-10-2020, 08:57

The positives I see are:
- new standing rigging
- 3200 hours on 30HP Yanmars - parts are reasonable and service is generally available
- High output alternators (brand and specs?)
- Lots of solar
- Mast ladder
- Looks like a new convection oven
- Sink is on the end of the counter
- BVI Yacht Sales is a good group and can answer a lot of questions. We used them as a buyer broker on a previous boat.

Cons
- Dark paint on hulls, but white paint on topsides
- No generator and challenging to fit one
- Old FPs do not have the efficient layout of the new ones

Comments
- At $125K as listed by BVI Yacht Sales, that is a lot of boat for the money
- Forward cabins are quite small
- Lots of branding, I would keep the name
- I like the idea of paying a surveyor to do a walk by
- Offer with at least requirement that all survey issues involving health, safety, and ABYC compliance to be repaired or a reserve held at closing for repair

Good luck!

Cheers, RickG

geozeck · 02-10-2020, 14:36

If you make an offer on it, John Brandis will find whats wrong with it. He's good. I had my cat worked on at Abels. Excellent work and low prices by US standards.