Boat choice dilemma

Birdseye

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no - the survey wont. it might point out faults, but wont point out reasonable wear and tear for the year, since you cannot expect an old boat to be in the same condition as a new one.

you may buy a first boat that ideally suits your requirements, but in case you do not succeed, make sure you buy something that is reasonably easy to sell.

as someone has already said, survival in bad weather is more about the man behind the wheel than the boat design. within reason, its also more about boat condition than boat design. so dont get too hung up on the heavy displacement / long keel/ narrow gutted type of boat so often recommended. these days people take boats like huge Lasers through the southern ocean in the around alone race.

better to buy something in good condition or which you can get into good condition within budget, something you can easily handle inc singlehanded, and something that has reasonably vice free handling. to my mind, all this suggests a smaller modern boat rather than an larger old heavier boat.

really bad weather will frighten you whatever you are in.

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goupil

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IMO your answer could be framed, you state a reality, a lot of people would be surprised with the ability of modern boat's design to manage with bad weather.

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goupil

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Jeanneau Sun Rise could be a good choice, I used to work for a Jeanneau dealer in the eighties and sailed all the Sun from Light to Magic : I was never desappointed with their seaworthiness.
On French Market prices are between 45 and 60 000 €. Are you looking for owner (2 cabins) or charter (3 cabins) layout ? (most were sold in charter layout, but not all were chartered...).

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wishbone

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Re: Go to Holland

Hi Chris-Robb
I've been checking out a dutch web site; yes prices are much better; I may look at france; the problem I have is time; I am in the middle of changing my lifestyle; therefore unable to venture too far at the moment.

Wishbone

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wishbone

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Hi goupil,
I do like jeanneau's as I said in an earlier post I did most of my training on a Melody, sailed very well quite a solid boat about 6.5 tons. with me looking for a med/heavy displacement boat but somewhat older It may be that I go for a traditional boat, this is the reason for my post, it is a difficult choice; when i've bought it I dont want to go through the whole process again for some time....

Wishbone

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Re: Holland, not so cheap

I think currency movements over the last 18 months have negated this somewhat.

Look across the pond and the situation has reversed, also I think Yanks are more rational in their valuation of older classic GRP yachts.

Take a Rival 36, they are offered over here between £70k and £90k but there is a clean looking example at £44k on the US East Coast. Shame it falls just the wrong side of the 1985 VAT exemption date.

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wishbone

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Re: Holland, not so cheap

Hi Jojo,
I've looked at a couple of US sites; prices there seem to be better value; just a fair old trot to go and have a look; I think if I went over I would have to buy to make trip worthwhile!

Wishbone

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Re: Holland, not so cheap

> just a fair old trot to go

Indeed, but my company flies me over there quite often so I might have a look.

If I was planning a world cruise then I would seriously think about buying a boat over there and starting from there.

Another option would be to buy a large g.r.p. British classic from the 1970's that the local market is ignoring. I am not certain of my facts but I believe if a yacht was manufactured in the EEC prior to 1985 only a minimal import duty is paid on arrival in the UK. I am not sure about <1985 VAT exemption if the yacht was originally sold for export?

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goupil

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Please wishbone,
if your idea is Melody you must have a look to Gladiateur : (www.wauquiez.com) then go (others).
She's better built with about the same looks, an Holman & Pye design, roomy for a 32 feet of the seventies. To state my feelings, I used to say : "a nice cottage in a seaworthy boat"!
Of course, you can think that I'm biased as I owned one but really she's a Hell of a Boat for beating and a safe one for blue water cruising.

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