Am I after too much?

[wooslehunter]

Having had a rather frustrating 7 months looking for a boat and also having seen several threads here about owners wanting too much for their boats - or for that matter buyers not wanting to pay enough - I thought I'd ask what people have actually managed to find.

My spec is: GRP, 23-26ft, bilge keel, family cruiser. Diesel prefered but O/B is OK. I don't mind a bit of maintenance but don't want and major work. Hence generally in good condition. Price - around 10-12k max.

So has anyone bought anything similar in the past few months and for what. Perhaps the question of price is a bit cheeky but it's good to know what the market is really like.

By the way if anyone knows about anything like the above spec, please PM me.

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[rob]

hi
try looking for a sadler 25, they are a good sailing boat and come in bilge keels.


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[Spyro]

I would think you should have no problem finding a boat of that size for that money but after length and cost it will come down to the age of the boat. I would think you would be looking at something around 20 years old for that sort of money.
Use the internet to compare prices most boat sales sites have a search facility where you can specify size, type, age, price, location etc. you'll be amazed what you can find

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[charles_reed]

No I don't think you're asking too much, but I would broaden your search outside the UK.

Not only is it one of the smaller boating markets, price expectations are high due to the generally high level of prices.

It would be worth looking at a few French brokers - providing you don't want to buy a UK built boat.

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[vyv_cox]

Also Holland

Looking around yards over here I often see nice looking small boats at what appear to be very reasonable asking prices. Look at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.botenbank.nl/boatbank/index.html>http://www.botenbank.nl/boatbank/index.html</A> for some ideas. There have been a few articles in yachting press lately suggesting that buying in Holland is perfectly safe so far as surveys and brokers is concerned. But move fast, the way the pound/euro exchange is going they won't be bargains for long.

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[willtaylor]

Your parameters seem spot on.

Presumably you have been accessing the broking and private sales facilities available on the ybw.com site. That should provide a long list of comparisons.

Will Taylor

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[colvic]

Try boatsandoutboards.co.uk as they have several sensibly priced boats on there at the moment.

Phil

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[colvic]

Just come across a 23footer, inboard diesel, 2 cabins etc etc. on www.boatingbargains.co.uk for£8000. Don't know a great deal about yachts so a "Sea Wolf" 23 doesn't tell me anything. Couple of phone numbers there, may be worth a bell.

Phil

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[Guest]

Possibles ...

The price and spec you have quoted should not present a problem ....

My Sunrider 25 .. full headroom, 5 berth, 32hp diesel, full inventory and ready to go was 8K ....

Similar Colvics can be found for 10+ ..... even Westerly's when sellers reduce to sensible levels can be had for 10 - 11K

Snapdragon 26's go for under 10K ......

Check out Boats for Sale mag .. reagrded as down-market by some - but actually more realistic on its prices than many ! .... take a trip around boatyards, yacht-clubs etc. etc.

There are boats tucked away all over - waiting for a little tlc .... but for 12K and size you are quoting - you shouldn't have to do much to it ......

Mirage
Snapdragons
Colvic
Sunrider
Searider
Eventides
Centaurs
Pageant
etc.

Local free-ads sometimes have 'em ..... !!

DON'T GIVE UP - they are out there !!

<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

 

[Guest]

DON\'T FORGET ....

Asking price is wishful thinking !!!!

My Sunrider started at 10K ..... settled at 8K

Various Centaurs I looked at same time all wanted over 12K ... most were willing to settle around 10K .....

Pageant was offered to me at 6K .... but I didn't like the look of the Volvo in it !! and I'm lazy not wishing to have hassle changing engines etc. I like start and go !!!

There are Mirages and all sorts out there better priced than Sadlers and Centaurs etc. (Don't get me wrong - I like Sadlers and Centaurs - they do a fine job at what they are designed for - its just the overpriced secondhand market that turns me away from them !!)

Good Luck


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

 

[wooslehunter]

Re: DON\'T FORGET ....

Thanks to all for the replies.

I have to say that broadening the search has been on my mind. A friend just bought a 1984, 27ft Sunwind in Copenahgen for 10k - he lives there so it helps. Great condition since all boats have to come out over the winter since the sea goes a bit solid. Transport costs back are obviously a bit higher though. I'd recommend anyone looking >20k to look there.

I'll keep going and seen what I can find.

Dave

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[bedouin]

That doesn't sound unreasonable to me. I'm not sure how much work you are intending or prepared to do once you've bought it. As a rule of thumb many people say that you should budget to spend between 30% and 50% of the purchase price on fixing/improving the boat for a boat of that sort of age.

If you are wanting something in good "sail away" condition then you will be paying a significant premium.

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[AnneW]

I have a Westerly 25 bilge keel, (don't worry I'm not trying to sell it to you!!) Good condition, four berths all the electronics but old and I am only asking £3,000 so you should be able to get something easily.

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[Guest]

As an ex Leisure owner i can highly recomend the Leisure 23SL this is backed up by a very active and supportive Owners Association
get back on elmsie@aol.com if you want any further info

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[LadyInBed]

Re: Transport costs ....

Absolutely no reason why you can't take a couple of weeks or so and sail it back.

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[billmacfarlane]

Try some of these : Westerly Centaur ( what else ? ) , Snapdragon , Jaguar 25 , Sadler 25 , Foxhound , Leisure 23 . They're all getting on a bit so be prepared to do a bit of legwork to find a good one.

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[Guest]

Just remember cash is King. It's a buyers market out there. When you find the right boat you will instinctively know ;-)

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[vyv_cox]

This is very true

A colleague bought a big Westerly this weekend. His offer was so low by comparison with the asking price that the broker initially refused to pass it on. Following a certain amount of discussion and about a month's wait, the offer has now been accepted.

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