Hi all,
I am debating whether to invest and get the
boat I really want that would maintain it's value ($15K- $25K, assuming that I don't mess it up) or to get a cheapo
boat (under $4K) that I won't cry about if I seriously mess it up.
I will be living on this boat, though so am concerned that a cheapo boat will need rebedding/ recoring of... well, everything, to stay dry and has the potential to make life more uncomfortable.
I'm considering full keeled, under 27ft boats with
head not under vberth. Nicer ones wld be
Vancouver 25, PS25, Flicka,
Albin Vega, Contessa. Cheaper ones would be e.g.
Cape Dory 25, or other types of keels like
Pearson 26 or
Catalina.
I think the boats I am considering as "nicer ones" are boats that if in good condition, will maintain their value in case I decide that I don't want to own a boat. Is this a wrong assumption? But I might be more afraid of doing something wrong in those boats when repairing them...
So what are your opinions? Go
cheap for first boat or get what I really want...and hope I don't mess something up big doing the
repairs.
And at what
price level would you hire a
surveyor? Anything over $2K?
Hi,
I am intrigued by your inquiry, because I am "in the same boat", at the other end, at 80, wanting to downsize, for a short "Last Hurrah".
Your first question is difficult to answer: cheapie starter or the real thing?
Buying and selling, especially selling, is a complex and protracted business. I would personally be inclined to try and go for the real thing. If it turns out to not quite be right, it will be just as easy -- or hard -- to re-sell as the cheapie one, and not as urgent.
Now, as to your general approach, I find that, coming up with the perfect choice, in an ideal world, may
work, of you are
buying a
new boat, based on a catalogue. If you are
shopping for a
used boat, as you and I both are, then it all depends on where you are and what's on offer. I've been at it for a year and a half, looking in
British Columbia.
Your
price and size range is realistic; you can get a decent boat within those parameters. You say: "I'm considering full keeled, under 27ft boats with
head not under vberth. Nicer ones wld be
Vancouver 25, PS25, Flicka,
Albin Vega, Contessa. Cheaper ones would be e.g.
Cape Dory 25, or other types of keels like
Pearson 26 or
Catalina."
You will find very few full-keeled boats in that size range, that will also give you standing
headroom, an enclosed head with vanity sink (which is one of my obsessions). The Bayfield 25 would be one, though no vanity sink by the head. Not a fast boat but very solid (Canadian) quality. The Contessa -- and all folkboats, being full-keeled -- are impressive, but very unliveable belowdecks. Whatever you are considering,
Google the model under "Sailboatdata" and usually they'll give you the
cabin layout as well as all the specs. You may well compromise on the
full keel, to get everything else you want. The others you mention I am not familiar with, except for the Catalina, which I would stay away from. Extremely popular, because
cheap,
sails well, but otherwise disappointing, with irritating design flaws and low quality. I would also insist on
propane for the
galley. Everybody seems to be gung ho on alcohol. I've had both: hated alcohol and loved
propane.
The favourite boats I have owned were a
C&C 25 -- very solid and fast, a delight to sail, but not quite all I want belowdecks -- an Aloha 34 (Ted Brewer design), awesome, and, in the UK, a Westerly Centaur, a lovely boat which did require some modifications for
live-aboard comfort, but is extremely poplar in the UK, solid as the proverbial brick outhouse, built to Lloyd's requirements. It has twin (bilge) keels, which are only 3 feet deep. I found it a bit difficult to keep on track with a following sea. Otherwise, I'd get one again.
You may wish to look at a Nonsuch, if there is one on offer in your area, another extremely well built and roomy Canadian boat, on the pricey side.
One last thing I might suggest is that you consider
mooring,
maintenance and transportation costs and options, before you jump. And a
survey is a very good idea in almost all cases.
Good luck for your search!