Searching For The Right Live-Aboard Bahamas Boat

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

I wonder why the hull material was never listed in any of the descriptions.

Its steel.
Here's a better link:
About

I have no affiliation with this boat. I've never seen it, and don't know the owner. But from the ads, if it were me, I'd have a look.

Steel boats are not common around here, and aren't particularly desirable here. So I would think the price would have plenty of wiggle room.

Not only is the trip down the east coast a great experience and a chance to learn your boat, but parts/repairs/knowledge/wifi are cheap and plentiful along the way. I suggest visiting CF members as you go. Put me down for your first stop, Confederation Basin, Kingston Ontario. I may even have some gear for you (I have a lot of anchors for a guy who currently has no boat).

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by Classicsailboat

My personal experience is that their is no advantage to you the purchaser in dealing directly with the seller, especially if you have little experience. A good broker will be worth every penny.

In the price range posted by the OP ($15k), there is little profit for a broker. They are mostly interested in selling the 6 digit boats that will pay the bills. Its a job.

IMHO, at the bottom end, best to deal with the owner. There is so much to know about an older boat...a broker really just gets in the way.

Just my opinion, not trying to send this thread sideways.

[ohdrinkboy]

lots out there. buy on condition of vessel.

1979 Watkins Tri-Cabin sailboat for sale in Florida

[Sailor Jer]

...plenty of awesome boats in that price range...problem is committing to purchasing one and getting on with it, again so many options for $15K on east coast.

[Sailboat Story]

Let me fire another inquiry into the wild blue yonder -

If I buy a boat from a private seller without a broker involved, what kind of process do I need to go through concerning sea-trial, survey, and actually taking ownership?

I ask because I get the feeling like a broker isn't going to be very fired up to help me make low offers on cheap boats. I wouldn't care for that if I were a broker. I get it. I'm most likely on my own here.

So, if I were to go direct to the owner, which is a very likely scenario, is the purchase of a boat much like when you buy a used car from an individual?

Do you just take over ownership with a Bill Of Sale and/or Title?

I'm going to give my best guess here concerning the actual process.
Let me know how close I am...

1) Find good boat.
2) Make written offer.
3) Seller accepts offer and returns offer contract.
4) I go see the boat.
5) We sea-trial and survey the boat.
6) If all is well and the survey findings are acceptable then I pay the seller with a cashiers check and I'm left with a boat, a bill of sale, and a title.

Is that something close to what I should expect?

[Sailboat Story]

Yes, I'm of the same opinion that we would probably be better off by avoiding a Volvo.
I've become quite partial to the old Perkins 4108s. I feel like that would be my ideal engine of choice if things end up coming together in that way.

[Lizzy Belle]

Originally Posted by Sailboat Story

I ask because I get the feeling like a broker isn't going to be very fired up to help me make low offers on cheap boats.

Since the broker works for the seller in this case, that goes for both of them.

You'd have to hire a buyers broker to have a broker work for your interests - but at a low budget, that's not really an option.

Here in the Netherlands, boats often sell w/out a broker. The process is pretty much the same. Look at boat, talk, make an offer (pending sea trail and survey), negotiate, do sea trail and survey.

As far as taking ownership goes: there seems to be a lot of paperwork involved in the US, vurses pretty much none at all over here. So that I have no clue about.

[JTHAW]

I agree with Stu,...ANY boat you buy will need lots of time and mechanical fixit stuff.. additions,options,...not to mention more money...could you buy a 15k boat and sail off in a week safely?...extremely unlikely, over 32-33 ft...about impossible.. ....forget brokers or agents at this price point.
pictures on Cgslist tell nothing...you have to diligently, with excellent knowledge , critically inspect each boat..and ...then have funds/time to fix add redo, after purchase...you certainly can find a decent boat in that price range...32-34ft...but it will still need more...of course all boats need more..

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by JTHAW

I agree with Stu,...ANY boat you buy will need lots of time and mechanical fixit stuff.. additions,options,...not to mention more money.

Every time I buy a boat (I've had 8, so far), pretty quick I need to head to my local marine shop...Marina Outfitters Canada...and drop at least $1000 for stuff like lines, fenders, flares, maybe a new origo stove, shackles, chain, more line, and some new lines. They are usually pretty happy to hear that I have a new boat.

[Sailboat Story]

Alright, I've got one that I feel pretty good about.

What do you think of this -

1975 Pearson P35
Inflatable dingy
Outboard
Repowered In early 2000s
Standing rigging redone in 2003
Solid hull and deck
1500 watt inverter
Interior looks darn-near perfect
Bimini
Dodger
*Could use a new main
*Could use bottom paint

I've got this one negotiated down to $12,000.

Sounding at all like this might be a good one?

[Scout 30]

Did anyone check out the Westsail I posted? It's a strange listing & more draft than the OP wants but boy that boat looks sweet. Could be a hell of a deal for someone looking for a blue water cruiser. I luv Westsails!

https://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/boa/5422226488.html
The Westsail 32 Sailboat : Bluewaterboats.org

[boatman61]

Let me tell you what this Brit did when he bought a boat in the States..
I flew into NY and looked at what brokers had recommended on line while I was in the UK.. one bit of crap after another unsuitable in my eyes for what I wanted.. something I felt could take me home..
So I went back online in the hotel and found an interesting Hunter37 in Oriental.. the owner picked me up in New Bern and took me to view the boat.. she needed some work but.. I liked what I saw.. she was on the hard which to me was a plus.
I have a UK style Bill of Sale form stored on my laptop so printed two copies.. we filled them in at his bank witnessed and signed/notarised whatever.. and handed over my Bankers Draft..
Job done.. its that simple

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by boatman61

I have a UK style Bill of Sale form stored on my laptop so printed two copies.. we filled them in at his bank witnessed and signed/notarised whatever.. and handed over my Bankers Draft..
Job done.. its that simple [/SIZE][/FONT]

I recently sold my P30 in a similar fashion (here in Canada).

After he inspected the boat, and several annoying phone calls about price, we had an agreement.

We met at his bank. I had printed 2 copies of a Bill of Sale (nothing fancy) which we both signed. He handed me a small pile of money. I spent about 10 minutes trying to count it, and finally gave up and just took it home. The boat had no "keys" or anything to give him. But he went right to the boat and started messing about. He stayed at my (already paid for) slip for the rest of the season. It was a licensed vessel, so the onus is on him to change the ownership on the license.

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by Sailboat Story

Alright, I've got one that I feel pretty good about.

What do you think of this -

1975 Pearson P35
Inflatable dingy
Outboard
Repowered In early 2000s
Standing rigging redone in 2003
Solid hull and deck
1500 watt inverter
Interior looks darn-near perfect
Bimini
Dodger
*Could use a new main
*Could use bottom paint

I've got this one negotiated down to $12,000.

Sounding at all like this might be a good one?

It sounds really good.
Do you have a link to an ad, pictures, survey for us to see?
Are you going to view?
Whats the brand/age of the dinghy+outboard?
What engine?

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Sailboat Story

Alright, I've got one that I feel pretty good about.

What do you think of this -

1975 Pearson P35
Inflatable dingy
Outboard
Repowered In early 2000s
Standing rigging redone in 2003
Solid hull and deck
1500 watt inverter
Interior looks darn-near perfect
Bimini
Dodger
*Could use a new main
*Could use bottom paint

I've got this one negotiated down to $12,000.

Sounding at all like this might be a good one?

I'd PM Roverhi here for his take on it, I believe he has sailed his to Hawaii from Cal and he has had it quite a while. And you are ok with no quarter berth or does this one have it? He posted shots of his at this thread:
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ic-160329.html