Buying a small yacht

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Wansworth

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Thinking of going to view a seven meter sailing boat probably one step above tyre kicker but want to spend a fair time looking at things like chain plates and keel bolt heads as an owner wishing to sell how long would you be happy to hangabout
 
Would an old boat which had been used on a lake like Windermere be in better condition than one which had been used on the coast and subject to salt water attacking the fittings ? as I bought a 23 year old lake boat and it dosent look its age Plus the trailer is in perfect condition. (I once bought a newer boat and the brake shoes having been subject to numerous immersions into salt water had absorbed the salt water which had dissolved the glue which held the brake linings to the brake shoes and separated when being towed causing a wheel to lock)
 
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Previously I've just let buyers poke around on their own for half an hour and then join them for a chat and questions. There isn't that much to see on a boat that size.

From the other end I looked at a 35 footer the other week, the owner also did as above and I was done after an hour.
 
ridgy said:
Previously I've just let buyers poke around on their own for half an hour and then join them for a chat and questions. There isn't that much to see on a boat that size.

From the other end I looked at a 35 footer the other week, the owner also did as above and I was done after an hour.
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Sounds correct
 
Jim@sea said:
Would an old boat which had been used on a lake like Windermere be in better condition than one which had been used on the coast and subject to salt water attacking the fittings ? as I bought a 23 year old lake boat and it dosent look its age Plus the trailer is in perfect condition. (I once bought a newer boat and the brake shoes having been subject to numerous immersions into salt water had absorbed the salt water which had dissolved the glue which held the brake linings to the brake shoes and separated when being towed causing a wheel to lock)
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The risk with lake boats (especially Windermere) is that they were "retired" from sea use and will have been used for light sailing, weekend stays and occasional meetings with the rocky shallow bottom around the edges! If your use is similar then it's OK but I would want to do a lot of checking before moving it back to the sea. The exception would be something actively sailed and well maintained such as a Benetau First 21 or similar that are raced regularly.
 
I have an old 7m. Things I know need doing include sails, rigging and upholstery. Things I know are OK as I've done them are gas system, electrics and outboard. Also above water leaks cured ( many attempts to find - sealant failed under old stancions or skin fittings ) The 'big 3' are about the same as the boats insured value
 
If I want to sell something, I don't think it's in my best interests to put time pressure on potential buyers.

For example, on Saturday, we had a couple come to have a look at our lovely old Seamaster 34.

They arrived at 1200, and we gave them a quick tour, above and below, deck.

We then left them aboard, and headed to the cafe for a sandwich, so they could have a poke around, and make comments, without having to worry about offending us.

We headed back just after 1400, and answered loads of questions.

All very convivial.

They made an offer, very close to our asking price.

We accepted, and they left, around 1500.

(Sigh: if only the story ended there!!)
 
I told Spanish man wanting to sell his boat,he just hovered about till I said go away and come back in an hour,he did but I didn’t buy his boat but he realized that was a good way to do things
 
Contacted owner about his boat which it seems he has rebuilt so should be interesting,he sounds a helpful person and by the looks of the boat from photos he has done a good job
 
Wansworth said:
Thinking of going to view a seven meter sailing boat probably one step above tyre kicker but want to spend a fair time looking at things like chain plates and keel bolt heads as an owner wishing to sell how long would you be happy to hangabout
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Depends how nice the weather is, how pleasant the buyer is, and how much I want to sell the boat... between an hour and two is enough for most people on a boat that size I would have thought?
 
Fantasie 19 said:
between an hour and two is enough for most people on a boat that size I would have thought?
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I'd be bored looking after 10 minutes! It's not like you can rip it apart and a visual inspection will either reveal a reasonably looked after boat or a nightmare of problems. You can usually tell which from the photos before visiting anyway so the visit is either to confirm it's in the condition expected, or it's to see if that boat type suits. I'd certainly allow someone looking at my boat whatever time they felt they needed.
FWIW none of the problems I've encountered were things I could have noticed on inspection with the exception of loose rigging on Live Magic which I knew needed doing and I eventually replaced. All of the issues i've had have been normal maintenance items, which on boats can seem a lot. Even if the sails are new, you'll need to budget for replacements soon enough.
 
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