Actually owning a boat

[Concerto]

Did up to two years ago sold it just before covid,but feel the itch again??

Well scratch it then.

 

[Tranona]

Well scratch it then.

+1 Go for it.

 

[benjenbav]

The late Jackie Stewart, when asked why he went back into F1 team owenership at a late age replied “”if you surround yourself in cotton wool for the rest of your life, then all you get to taste is cotton wool”.

I think Sir Jackie is still with us…

 

[benjenbav]

I think Sir Jackie is still with us…

As pointed out already

 

[benjenbav]

It's age related, this doubt thing.

if you are 50 and have apprehensions, don't do it. You have time on your side and can change your mind anytime.

If you are 60 probably don't bother, things may look clearer in the next few years, you have time left.

If you are 70 and fit, Do it. You are running out of space to change your mind later, selling next year at 50% loss is irrelevant.

If you are much over 80, unless exceptionally fit, probably think very carefully. You live well away from the boat, it may become a worry and inconvenience.


I would ignore all sensible advice and buy, but that's me. Whatever, let us know how it goes.

.

All I can say is …it’s a difficult decision with more than one right answer!

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Got to be honest, based on your stream of recent posts looking for confirmation on here for every boat you have considered and then your negative reactions to any you find, I get the impression that you like the idea of owning a boat but you don't really want one. You would have bought one by now if you did. I would give it a miss if I was you.

 

[Blueboatman]

I can still really really see Wansworth and his missus having a quick blast up and down the rias on a nifty, marina-free jet ski .


Then towing it home behind the car , sorted
And of course doing some winter fettling and diy upgrades on it ?
( don’t know how you do up a jet ski but someone will …??)

 

[Wansworth]

All I can say is …it’s a difficult decision with more than one right answer!

Unfortunately ?

 

[Daydream believer]

Getting pretty close to actually owning a boat and having done so previously over many years this latest venture. will stir me from my armchair and iPad s to confront the reality.But before I make the final step I still have doubts about the whole boat owning thing and weighing up the good bits against the bad bits that I know will come with a secondhand boat.All the gizmos that have worked perfectly for the previous owner start to fail.There is still time to step back and carry on gardening and live vicariously engine problems,leaks worrying knocking noises and howling gales at two in the morning wondering if the”boat” is alright..??

A boat is not for you. You are thinking negative & not bought one yet. Do not bother. -- A dreamer, Yes--A boat owner, No

 

[Wansworth]

A boat is not for you. You are thinking negative & not bought one yet. Do not bother. -- A dreamer, Yes--A boat owner, No

You may well be right,going to see the boat and decide

 

[Wansworth]

Got to be honest, based on your stream of recent posts looking for confirmation on here for every boat you have considered and then your negative reactions to any you find, I get the impression that you like the idea of owning a boat but you don't really want one. You would have bought one by now if you did. I would give it a miss if I was you.

I am a very indecisive …

 

[Daydream believer]

I am a very indecisive …

Are you sure about that?

 

[V1701]

I thought that last one you posted about (the wee Amel) was a good bet, outboard in a well so easy enough to stick another one in there if it fails, keep at home during winter? Keep instrumentation simple - vhf & depth sounder. As long as sails & rigging ok shouldn't be too many nasty surprises. Go on you know you want to...

 

[Greenheart]

Strikes me that if you're in this much doubt about whether to buy, before you've bought, you may be just as full of regret, if you do.

Possibly more so. Most people are blinded by excitement and enthusiasm before ownership begins...but if you can already see the downsides, it may be (if you'll pardon me saying so) a bit daft to proceed into predictably cold deep waters.

I needed to own a yacht for a couple of summers, after many decades believing it was all I wanted in the world. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't comfortable enough to make me want to keep doing it in that style, at such a cost.

The money was not wasted because my 40-year desire for a cabin boat is largely satisfied; and the visceral pleasure and unquantifiable relief of no longer paying berthing fees and insurance (plus the whopping insidious tally that accumulates for maintenance and replacement gear) is still making my wallet grin wide, over a year later. It also reminds me not to buy another one.

And free time! There is always something (other than sailing) which you know needs doing on board. I haven't once, not ever since selling, thought, "Dammit, I wish I was down there trying to fix the leaky window/sodding wiring/headlining". Funny, that.

Actually I still want another cabin boat, but my requirement is now so specific and my sense of urgency so diminished, that I won't mind only sailing the dinghy for the next few years, and enjoying the lightweight bills.

I will probably have bought a leaky old Westerly with a dead diesel, by the time you read this. ?

 

[Concerto]

I will probably have bought a leaky old Westerly with a dead diesel, by the time you read this. ?

Well if you need any advice.......................................... Certainly can recommend a Westerly Fulmar.

 

[Gwylan]

I am a very indecisive …

But now I'm not sure

 

[Wansworth]

I thought that last one you posted about (the wee Amel) was a good bet, outboard in a well so easy enough to stick another one in there if it fails, keep at home during winter? Keep instrumentation simple - vhf & depth sounder. As long as sails & rigging ok shouldn't be too many nasty surprises. Go on you know you want to...

Yes it was a nice little boat on paper but lacked headroom .

 

[steveeasy]

I am a very indecisive …

Nothing wrong with that. Second time around you already know the pitfalls of boat ownership. So the decision should be about the boat itself. If you really really like it its good. if your pondering then its a no go.
Steveeasy

 

[Blueboatman]

I keep writing it
Come to the uk
Find a really nice trailer sailer
At a fair price
And tow it home
In transit , whatever , and pay whatever on an acceptable paper value

you only seem to have one Import /legal chaps local word that this is costly ( to him maybe, maybe he doesn’t want the graft ??)

At the very least you will actually be buying something you like???
And not what is available/shagged out/hopelessly unsuitable within 50 miles????
That’s just ( pardon me) lazy thinking ( sorreeee)
That will bite you on the transom with remorse , for the rest of our precious years afloat
All, In My ( not quite so humble ) Opinion?

At the VERY least go look at lake boats in France orSpain or Germany , a wee Beneteau 21 lifting keel or sommat and of course being on a lake , sitting in a trailer ready to roll, easy to move, easy to sail, sporty, proven, nimble, easy resale too esp as there clearly aren’t too many in the Rias or the owner of those that are there… are hanging on to such fun affordable low maintenance yachts !

 

[Wansworth]

I keep writing it
Come to the uk
Find a really nice trailer sailer
At a fair price
And tow it home
In transit , whatever , and pay whatever on an acceptable paper value

you only seem to have one Import /legal chaps local word that this is costly ( to him maybe, maybe he doesn’t want the graft ??)

At the very least you will actually be buying something you like???
And not what is available/shagged out/hopelessly unsuitable within 50 miles????
That’s just ( pardon me) lazy thinking ( sorreeee)
That will bite you on the transom with remorse , for the rest of our precious years afloat
All, In My ( not quite so humble ) Opinion?

At the VERY least go look at lake boats in France orSpain or Germany , a wee Beneteau 21 lifting keel or sommat and of course being on a lake , sitting in a trailer ready to roll, easy to move, easy to sail, sporty, proven, nimble, easy resale too esp as there clearly aren’t too many in the Rias or the owner of those that are there… are hanging on to such fun affordable low maintenance yachts !

Thanks for your considered opinion,you may be right