Converting Charter Cat to Cruising Cat

[paradisenwfl]

I am looking to purchase 35 - 45 foot catamaran to cruise the Florida Keys, Bahama and Caribbean. Ideally, I would like to purchase a cat all set for cruising, but am considering upgrading a cat released from charter.

Does anyone have an idea of what that might cost?

What should I be aware of when purchasing a cat released from charter.

Thanks,
Carole Lockhart

[GordMay]

➥ Insights On Buying A Catamaran Out Of A Charter Fleet

➥ http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...oat-70341.html

[paradisenwfl]

Thank you. This is great information.

Carole

[UNCIVILIZED]

Thanx GordMay.

[barnakiel]

Much will depend on what extra equipment/mods you want on the cruising cat. Then also on what hourly the installers will ask and how long they will work. Top it up with supervision/management cost of the project (unless you are able to do this part).

Otherwise it is all pen and paper exercise. And some Internet research too.

I helped to get an ex charter cat ready for private cruising use in the Caribbean back in 2013/14. All job was done by the boatyard at Le Marin.

The cat was a Lagoon 40' long. (model 420, about 6 years old then)

The upgrade cost was close to 100k (EUR money).

The split was about 50/50 in equipment/workforce&boatyard.

There was no management fee (all planning/purchases/supervision and commissioning done by the owner and me).

The above is only one data point. Each project is different.

Good luck,
b.

[belizesailor]

As posted depends ln how you outfit the boat, but as an example: A friend with a $200K budget recently purchased a Lagoon 38 for $160K from Dream Yachts Charters. It was in excellent condition and required no significant repairs, but it did need a bottom job. Seller did some minor repairs as part of the deal. Dinghy/outboard not included and were not what new owner wanted anyway.

So his refit included: bottom job, outboard, dink (nice alum Highfield), Spectra watermaker, liferaft, EPIRB, tethers/jacklines, Type V PFDs, dive tank compressor, new SCUBA gear for 2, new chart plotter (old one was tiny and aging), new trampoline, RADAR, full set of tools, cookware, plates/bowls/utensils/etc, bed clothes x 4 cabins, towels, upgraded solar....etc.

I dont know the final number, but if you start doing the math he punched a big hole in the remaining $40K.

The upside to buying a cruising boat is that it will be outfitted with a lot of gear already. Charter companies want charter boats kept simple.