Buying Used Boat If All Goes Well - Opinions Please

[derekbland]

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum and could do with some ideas. All going well, we should we should be in a position to buy a boat around May/June time. We deffo want a flybridge, 3 cabins and so 6 berths. we have seen a Fairline Phantom and Princess around 2002 and 2003 with an asking price of around £220k We have also seen a Med spec Fairline Squadron for nearer the £150k mark The first 2 are a little over budget but assume we may be able to get them close to our budget. The latter is pleasantly below our budget. All things being equal, which way would you lean?

The other idea is to buy in Europe and consider a production boat. Less prestigious perhaps but more of a modern boat for yer buck. Again, your thoughts please.

If we do buy in the UK, we will most likely keep in the UK year 1 and then start the adventure around to the Med over the next few years. If we buy in France/Spain etc. It is more of a pain to get to the boat but have the sun factor. Thoughts please.

Just to say, we know what we want the boat for and so has led us to the type, size of boat based on family and length of time aboard and so it is really just thoughts on the above I am looking for.

 

[kashurst]

I am guessing you are looking at Fairline Phantom 46/50 and Princess 45/50/52 all excellent boats. Fairline made some of their best boats around age you are looking.
Have a look at Azimut 46/50 etc. Don't ignore the Ferretis, Rodmans, Astondoas either. You don't get many in the UK but there are loads in the med. Have a think about how far you are likely to travel as well. Regular long distance cruises or out to a local island/bay for the day. The bigger the boat the more room you get, but the fuel and maintenance costs go up faster.

There are lots of bargains around so try not to fall in love with the first boat you get on board.

If you want to live aboard for week(s) at a time you want max space so you are not bumping into each other all the time. Pricewise - go for the boat in the best condition with the best service history, owned by someone who loved the boat. Look for a big pile of old receipts/bills for work and or parts, have a look under the floors in the bilges and under the engines. Pools of water and oil are not a good sign.

Marina Queens (shiny ones that never move) often have a lot of faults that come to light when you start using them.

If going to the med make sure you get a med spec boat too! retrofitting aircon, passarelle etc can be very expensive.

If you are serious about going to the Med in a few years, rent one or two and see how you get on. If time/work permits the Med is much nicer place to go boating.

PS - make sure you see the VAT receipt or a suitable equivalent before you sign anything.

 

[kashurst]

just had a quick nosey on boat websites (its snowing here -bored), just to get an idea of med prices
buying in the med is just as easy as buying in the UK
https://www.topbarcos.com/barcos-ocasion/fairline-phantom-46-fly
https://www.topbarcos.com/barcos-ocasion/princess-50-flybridge
https://www.topbarcos.com/barcos-ocasion/princess-45-flybridge-0613142524
https://www.topbarcos.com/barcos-ocasion/azimut-46-0915123611

 

[TheOrs]

Re: Budget

You don't say how much previous experience of boating you have.

With a boat there are many costs in addition to the purchase price & these costs are far more than most newcomers imagine, so your budget needs to allow for this.

 

[derekbland]

Thank you. I have owned a couple of small motor boats in the past, the last one moored at Cobbs Quay. I am going in with my eyes open and have got a spreadsheet with Allowances for everything along with quite a bit of contingency thrown in. I will be doing my day skipper possibly as soon as Feb and depending on weather will be crewing on a boat delivery from south coast to Ireland. In addition to this, once the boat is purchased, I will be getting an additional 2-days own boat tuition.

 

[derekbland]

Nice one. When I take into account the exchange rate and assuming that I could get roughly the same percentage discounted, then it looks like it would still be cheaper to buy abroad by, potentially quite a bit. Only trouble is the hassle in year one of going over to Spain/France. It could be that with sufficient discount we could get it shipped over land back here. I have been told around 14k. The other option would be to sail it back with a week here and there and exploring whilst as we do it. Mmmmm potential plan developing. Thanks again

 

[kashurst]

£14k buys a lot of seats on Ryanair
park the boat in Alicante, loads to keep offspring, visitors busy etc and a short ride in a taxi from the airport. You can go boating in January in shorts and a T shirt and no tides - go out when ever you want

 

[derekbland]

Sold!

 

[petem]

Derek, I know that sometimes we don't have much choice over these things but in my opinion May / June aren't great buying months. All the best boats will have been bought up so you may find your choices limited. For the mainstream boats / marques that you're thinking of, it really is a sellers market.

Saying that, we bought our boat (Fairline) May / June and spent a couple of months de-bugging it before we shipped it to the Med in October.

 

[vptech]

Boats from the med or hot climates tend to been in a poor condition in the engine room, I am not sure why exactly but a combination of good weather meaning constant use and sun bleaching on the gel coat ages them considerably. Also they get used for charter and history is hard to track sometimes. I would buy in the uk it seems like they are in much better condition over here. I would recommend buying here and shipping, and remember ensure the engines and hardware are in good condition I see it a lot where people have bought boats for about the same amount as you 200k ish and said the old owner told them engines were in a1 condition no expense spared and in actual fact they needed pulling out to fix them. I have also seen people get a low level rebuild injectors and water system overhaul and call it a full rebuild then having the engine hours zero'd before sale. So make sure you get it looked at properly whatever you do.