Newbie from Australia

[Johnathon]

Firstly hi and thanks for allowing me to join.
I’m in the market for a yacht but I find it very difficult to get sound advice or paid advice to help me in finding the right boat for me. If I speak to a broker they steer me towards a boat they have for sale.
I do not want to go into this decision blind folded trying to make out I know what I’m doing when I don’t.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Johnathon.

Tell us a little more, about yourself, the boat you think you might be seeking, and the type of sailing you anticipate doing.

[Johnathon]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Johnathon.

Tell us a little more, about yourself, the boat you think you might be seeking, and the type of sailing you anticipate doing.

Here I go...
Sailed a lot as a kid and grew up using power boats fishing etc.
I’m a fifo worker so I’m after a larger comfortable boat that I could sail reasonably easily by myself and live on every second week.
I would like to affiliate with a club and learn to sail my boat ‘well’ and over two years or more start to sail abroad when I’m confident enough I’ve learnt enough.
Hope this helps a little.

[Johnathon]

I’ve looked at a 52 Irwin and many other boats but being inexperienced I feel I’m wasting a lot of my own time.

[NevilleCat]

What state are you going to keep it ? Where are you looking?

[Fore and Aft]

Johnathon, 52 is a big boat to handle by yourself. Why such a big yacht? Modern production yachts around 40 feet have tons of space, easily three times the space your donga has.
Where will you keep the yacht? What about maintenance etc? Even some of my wealthiest clients have ended up down sizing from their fantasy monster yacht to a more affordable and easily handled size.
Cheers

[Cool Hand Luke]

Welcome!

Have you looked at a Jeanneao SO 409 or 419? I could easily live on one. I also single handed a lot on her.

[Fore and Aft]

Johnathon, Cool Hand Lukes choices look pretty good. The Jeaneau 419 is 12 feet shorter and only 2 feet narrower than the Irwin 52. I think the Jeaneau would be a lot more fun to sail as well.
The end of the day you have to list your priorities and go from there.
Cheers

[HankOnthewater]

Hi Jonathan, I tend to agree with previous comments that an Irwin 52 is large boat, and more a handful to handle compared with newer smaller boats. Having said that, I sail that kind of boat size wise and rigging wise, mostly singlehandly. So, it is possible.
Note, and generalising here, all newer boats have relatively more interior space due to being wider and carry that width further aft, or in colloquial terms, they have a fatter backside.

If I take an approx. selling price of the boat you mentioned (Irwin 52) being aus $150-$200k, then you have plenty of other choices, boats that offer only a little less space but sail better, likely less maintenance, and cheaper to moor or put in a marina.

When checking boats for sale between 40 and 50 ft on Yachthub....https://yachthub.com/catlist/used/ya...oceania&cat=16
I see a a large choice of Beneteau, Bavaria and the like, and some older more traditional boats like a Venus 46, a nice Young 43, Crealock 40, or some more modern Adams. BTW to live on board with one person a 40 ft will be more than big enough!!! You should also check boats from 36 to 40 ft.

[Johnathon]

Originally Posted by NevilleCat

What state are you going to keep it ? Where are you looking?

I’ll keep it in Western Australia.
I’ve been looking everywhere.

[NevilleCat]

Pretty nice looking Duncanson 40 advertised in SA at the moment. Deck Saloon too.

[Johnathon]

Originally Posted by HankOnthewater

Hi Jonathan, I tend to agree with previous comments that an Irwin 52 is large boat, and more a handful to handle compared with newer smaller boats. Having said that, I sail that kind of boat size wise and rigging wise, mostly singlehandly. So, it is possible.
Note, and generalising here, all newer boats have relatively more interior space due to being wider and carry that width further aft, or in colloquial terms, they have a fatter backside.

If I take an approx. selling price of the boat you mentioned (Irwin 52) being aus $150-$200k, then you have plenty of other choices, boats that offer only a little less space but sail better, likely less maintenance, and cheaper to moor or put in a marina.

When checking boats for sale between 40 and 50 ft on Yachthub....https://yachthub.com/catlist/used/ya...oceania&cat=16
I see a a large choice of Beneteau, Bavaria and the like, and some older more traditional boats like a Venus 46, a nice Young 43, Crealock 40, or some more modern Adams. BTW to live on board with one person a 40 ft will be more than big enough!!! You should also check boats from 36 to 40 ft.

Thanks. Do you see anything in WA that would be suitable?

[Johnathon]

Originally Posted by NevilleCat

Pretty nice looking Duncanson 40 advertised in SA at the moment. Deck Saloon too.

I looked it up. Nice boat well within my budget.
Thanks for the heads up.

[HankOnthewater]

as a response to post #12.....will check things out here in WA.

Yes, buying a boat locally is most economical, as you can save travel costs to and from. Being local you also can spot more easily anomalies in the boats for sale ie what owner/broker says, and the real story. Lastly delivery is much cheaper. Not only the delivery cost in time and $$, but generally many repairs are needed, in out of away places, dealing with people you do not know, and will never meet again. Not only repairs, but also you may need to buy additions/replacements you would otherwise consider only after months or years of ownership: liferaft, adding AIS, new rigging, upgrading groundtackle, HF radio/satphone etc.

Other note..... buying a boat can take time, often years, depending on how much you target a particular model or type, and how you want to have a bargain.

Lastly, if you were to travel interstate or New Zealand, you might get caught in a state border lockdown.
Note: there are a lot of boats in Oz, NZ and Asia owned by people overseas who were caught with Covid-19 travel restrictions: boat this side of the world, owners on the other side. As from today, Ozzies can travel to NZ again.

[Fore and Aft]

Johnathon you will find this Benny below has twice the space of the old Duncanson. You don't mention what your priorities are and where you want to end up cruising?
Cheers
https://www.boatsonline.com.au/boats...nis-390/259601