First time buyer

[martinmullen]

As an ex merchant seaman of some 18 years ago, I am finally going to realize my dream and have my own yacht (second hand of course). Unfortunately, I don't know much about yachts and have only just completed RYA level 2 dingy sailing course.
Could anyone give me some tips on what to look for when buying a new vessel; what to avoid or any helpful advice.
Ideally I would want something which is safe, easy to handle and with a few home comforts. It should sleep at least four and hopefully come with a fully equipped.
Having passed my lifeboat ticket all those years ago and obtained a C&G in basic seamanship, I am confident that I would be able to handle a small craft. I intend to do the RYA Day skippers theory course but am unsure if I should wait until I've done the practical course before buying my yacht. Anyone got any thoughts?
Thanks

Martin.


Martin Mullen

 

[poter]

I was in a similar position a couple of years ago and I took the RYA day skip practical course without doing the theory course, having done quite a bit of homework on Navigation, col regs, knots etc.etc. If you get the RYA books for the day skip course and the day skip navigation book, with your practical experience you should not have any problems.
If you are unsure, book a weekend with a school just to get an assesment, say over 2 or 3 days.
As far as a yacht is concerned you don't state a budget?
However have a look at say someting like a Westerly Centaur, a safe reliable yacht, which are available in good condition with most of the extras for around 12 to 15k.
Which area will you be doing most of your sailing??

poter.

 

[rogerroger]

Hi Martin

Welcome to the forum!

I think it's fair to say that you won't really know what you want out of a boat until you actually buy one and start using it. I've had my first boat for a year now and am really treating it as a "learning" boat so I can make a decision for my next one.

You will get loads of suggestions here - mostly from people extoling the virtues of thier own craft. Without stating your budget and the type of sailing you want to do it's very hard to suggest anything - a little like asking "what car should I buy?"

Why don't you go and look around a range of boats in your price list and then ask the forum members what they think of them?

There's an awful lot of crap on the second had market buit don't be put off - it's also a buyers' market so you should be able to drive most prices down 10 - 15 %

Good luck.

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[KevL]

Have to say I agree entirely. We bought our first boat about a year ago and no matter what you think you want it's only when you have a boat that you find out what you actually need and how you will use it.

Go look at as many boats as you can in your price range, I was looking for a stinkpot and found a good place to see a lot of boats in one day was Nationwide boat sales just south of sheffield. Going there changed our whole perspective of what was available at what cost, what age of boat we were looking for etc. managed to see about 20 boats in one day!

Best of luck

--
Tides - Never there when you need one.
Wind - Always there when you don't.

KevL

 

[tome]

Martin

As ex mn you'll know a lot about the basics and have a healty regard for the sea. Whatever you buy will be no bigger than the lifeboats you're used to handling. You probably never handled one under sail (I never did on all my training courses).

You'll not know what you want unless you gain some experience, and if you buy a boat now it will probably be wrong. Go do a few courses, gain some experience, and put off the decision on what to buy for next year.

And welcome onboard!

 

[martinmullen]

Thanks for the tips guys. It's useful to get infomation from experienced sailors.
I thought my price range would be 10 - 12K.
To start with, I hope to take day trips along the south west coast on weekends then, after gaining some practical experience, travel further a field. My ultimate ambition is to do coastal sailing around the UK and cross channel trips during holiday periods.
Coincidentally, I have just been looking at Westerly Centaurs on the net. Very nice looking craft and looks to fit the bill. Hopefully I'll get down to the south coast over the next few months to view some 'live'.
Thanks again for the advice. Much appreciated.

Martin.


Martin Mullen

 

[graham]

You wont go far wrong with a Centaur but allways get a survey done or you may end up buying some very expensive problems.

You will probably need a survey to insure the boat anyway.

The good thing about buying a popular boat like the Centaur is that if you dont like it you will be able to sell it again.

The cheapest boat may not be the best bargain .Look for one that has had the Rigging and engine replaced and be prepared to pay a bit more.

Sails need looking at and you will find that roller reefing on the foresail will be usefull and expensive to fit if its not allready there.

A lot depends on where you will keep the boat .If you intend joining a yacht club I would be tempted to hold off buying untill you have joined. Most yachties are happy to take new members out and you may get more of an idea of what you want.

Happy Hunting

 

[Guest]

Hi,

It is always worth thinking of those you plan to go sailing with. My SOOTOS wouldn't even think of looking at a boat till we started looking at multihulls. Even a Hirrondelle at about £7k offers a lot of boat and at around 14-18k you can find a nice little 32ft Iroquois with two double cabine, two single berths and a standing room in the hulls - though not on the bridgedeck.

Some exceedingly seaworth Wharrams can be found for not huge sums of money and other than the nice wide platform and the gentle motion you get shallow draft and lots of fun.

Regards


Fred