Ex-charter yachts

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miko

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There seem to be an awfull lot of ~5yo ex-charter yachts on the market. Are they worth considering for private use? and will resale be a problem? anyone with any experience of this matter?
 
Large charter companies usually replace their yachts after some years (typically 5), be they in still good condition or totally worn out.
They may be a reasonable value for the money, but a survey would be essential to ensure that the boat did not have any major accident.
 
I think AWBs are perfectly adequate for most uses and that's what the charterers use. Bit like a Ford Focus aren't they and you get what you pay for. Is it fair to make this comparison? Me thinks that a reputable charterer for (the big ones)would also offer more protection (of their name) against blatant ripoffs. Gian is right though find a good surveyor.
 
I looked at a few to see what a "25 year old" AWB looked like, ie how and where they wear. Most of them were very tatty, expect to have a major refit - I couldnt make the figures stack up - the time and cost of the renovation on top of the asking price made it too expensive to consider.
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Check where they've been chartered. An ex solent charter used for training and racing 365/365 will be a different proposition from a Med charter boat used for family holidays
 
I would be very careful with a 5 year old ex charter yacht. I was advised by a flotilla engineer that a lot of decent kit is removed from these boats prior to sale. Presumably they swap the gear with the boats that are staying in the fleet.

Survey essential.
 
I own a yacht in charter service in the Med and I shall be selling her next year (for a larger boat), hopefully at a fair price for a fair product ... she is well maintained (by the Moorings) and not battered about at all ... however, Centerboarder, your comment worries me as I am leaning toward buying a larger ex-charter boat myself when I sell my 36 footer ... I will certainly watch that gear stripping/swapping issue ...
 
I bought an old med charter yacht a couple of years ago - late 80's. Used a lot and knew I was going to have to strip out everything and refit. Do it yourself and it can work financially. it can be fun if you like that sort of thing and you get to know your boat inside out. But be very careful with the initial price you pay and disount accordingly. Watch out for vat also. Make sure you get a vat paid invoice.
 
I have sold 2 ex charter boats and nothing was stripped off! With discounts and VAT back on new charter boats its not worth the labour. Latest electronics are always so much cheaper than original price - look at the price of a DVD now!

I have only sold trading up but if the current boat continues to charter well and I don't fancy anything different I would keep it until it doesn't attract the charters. It will hopefully still be a good example of that particular boat.

Another owner commented that his charter boat was in better condition than a previously sole use boat as it was regularly used. Lack of use is the biggest enemy of boats.

It will be well used but should also be well maintained and price should reflect use. As with all boat purchases a survey is necessary.
 
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