Advice on purchasing an old motor cruiser

[Dylboy]

Hi All,

I'm new to all this so bare with me.

I have been interested in owning a boat on the Med for some time but having very shallow pockets it has always remained just that, a dream. However, I have recently been tempted by an 'affordable' 1974 Aresa twin screw, a 40' flybridge lying in Malaga which has been 'completely refurbed'.

Before I do something stupid like reaching for my cheque, what should I be checking out, both on the boat (I have no idea what I'm looking at) and otherwise (mooring rental, insurance etc)?

Any advice would be gratefully received!

 

[Sneds]

Buy summit cheap and local to start with, what you describe sounds like it could turn into a nightmare!

 

[Dylboy]

A nightmare because of its age? Or its location? Or both?

 

[ian38_39]

I am also of the shallow pocket disorder and would seriously echo Sneddons advice. Boats are expensive full stop.
The costs can be mittigated to a fair degree by doing things yourself but to do this you have to learn how to do it and also accept that every 5 minute job will take at least half a day.

If your boat i sin the med then you will have to pay someone to do everything unless you are lucky enough to spend a lot of time there and don't mind spending it working on the boat.

Never heard of a Aresa twin screw, not that I know many brands outside the big names but that is the case for most so little known brands are much harder to sell if you decide that boating was not such a good idea.

whatever you decide good luck.

Ian

 

[hlb]

I avoided answering on first reading, but my feelings are the same as above.

Less of course you have say 20 grand a year to spend??

 

[Tranona]

Based on what you say, do not even go there. Fixed costs of that size of boat (Berth, insurance,maintenance etc.) are largely fixed and substantial. Boat is old, Spanish built which might be an advantage, but engines are likely to be obsolete as will most of the equipment. Not the sort of thing for shallow pockets!

 

[Nautorius]

The Reason these old boats are cheap is because there is little chance of being to keep it economically. A 12m berth on the Costas will cost you €6500-€12,000 a year depending on where you put her. Maintenance costs are more expensive than the UK due to limited resources and the € to £ exchange. Also parts are harder to come by if/when it goes wrong. If you are looking for a cheap pad buy a 5 year old US sportscruiser with a Petrol Engine and keep it on a dry rack when not there.

I estimate a 40ft of that age will cost you €10,000 as a minimum. A lift out, Jet wash and lift back in is over €500........

A nice dream, just scary in reality.

Paul

 

[oldgit]

A quick search indicate that the hull construction is ply.Avoid at all costs.
Any glassfibre boat of that age/class will be twice that money.....for very good reasons
Sorry to be so negative ....but many of us have all been down that road.

 

[Dylboy]

Thanks for your feedback guys, very helpful. I'll put my cheque book away and start looking for something more realistic!

 

[nonitoo]

A common mistake made by new buyers is that they only see the purchase price, not knowing that the running costs will be considerable.

Many of these running costs are not optional, insurance and berthing for instance. Annual maintenance may not be compulsory but you would be most unwise to ignore it.

As a guide, and bearing in mind that I berth in Dover, not one of the most expensive marinas, my approximatre annual costs for running a single engined 8 mtr sports cruiser (4 years old) are :-

Marina £2000
Insurance £400
Maintenance £600 (lifts, anodes, outdrive checks, oil, filters, antifoul etc.)

Add to that the incidental expenses that crop up (this year coming to £800) and that is BEFORE you put any fuel in.

I'm not trying to put you off boat ownership but you should realise the costs involved before buying.

An older boat may well cost considerably more in maintenance.

My costs are a pittance compared to others with larger boats but they are acceptable to me and my boat is ideal for the use we put it to.

Good luck in your quest but don't forget that you rarely buy your ideal boat the first time.

Hope this helps.

Tom

 

[Dylboy]

Thanks for that Tom, very helpful.

I am aware of the mooring costs (have done a fair amount of research) and even went as far as getting a quote for the insurance on this craft which was relatively inexpensive if it wasn't for the fact that they require a full survey first!

I know I could afford to buy this boat, moor it and even budgeted for a fair amount of maintenance, but that's not much use if I can't then afford to put the diesel in! Certainly couldn't afford any major work either.

You've all pointed me in the right direction so thanks for that, a newer, smaller boat in the UK first and then see how I get on.

Thanks again for taking the time to help me out.

 

[Moonshiners]

Don't be quick to over look a smaller/newer sports boat in drystack abroad if your really keen to keep your boat there. As someone already mentioned. Dry stacking with it's access to maintanace and security and out of the sun does solve alot of the issues of leaving a boat abroad...

 

[Bobobolinsky]

There is also a good chance that it has Detroit two stroke motors, steer clear unless you have deep pockets.

Robin

 

[Divemaster1]

There is also a good chance that it has Detroit two stroke motors, steer clear unless you have deep pockets.....

I hope you speak from personal experience ... DD's are simple and cheap to maintain ... if abused and major repair is needed, then they can be repaired at a cost.... None of the DD two-strokes are throw away blocks, unlike most modern 4 strokes..

Oooh ... and in this ARESA you 'll find two Cummins Diesels...

 

[Divemaster1]

OK... got my rant off in an earlier post...

ARESA ....very solid, commercial yard and make vessels at a commercial standards, which excedes most leisure craft standards for durability and does not compromise space for seakeeping.

http://www.aresaboats.com

If well kept she could be a good buy, but will not be cheap to keep as she will need TLC and cash.... Worried if she has been fibreglass sheeted as it implies that they have had some problems and not enough capital to resolve properly, so do get a surveyor who know wooden boats.... The Cummins at 210 Hp should be reliable, but do get an engine survey as well please...otherwise you'll be straight on here to ask for help again... in more humbeling circumstances...

Last but not least, listen to the advise from all in here, make objective judgements ...and remember that you alone have to make the choice... Good luck!!