Help Pick My First Sailboat!

Osmosis in GRP boats used to be a bugbear, and a nice little earner for some boatyards, but nowadays, it's almost always a thing used by a buyer into frightening the seller into lowering the price. However, rust in a steel boat is a very real thing and, if ignored, will rapidly turn a lovely boat into scrap. That doesn't have to happen, but it does take constant vigilance to deal with rust spots, especially on the inside of the hull, where they can lurk unnoticed behind trim and under floorboards.

I'm not sure of the technology, but the thickness of metal plate can be measured non-destructively. I think getting that done would be wise, along with all the other checks
 
Looks very well kept, as Stemar says get it surveyed to include hull thickness check, they do it on canal boats here I think ultrasound is how it works. I assume they'll know all about that in Holland with all the steel boats there. In lieu of removing the existing sea loo you could, if there's room to store it somewhere, just have a porta potti for use in the marina? FWIW I built the box of my separator loo with a 12v computer fan that runs 24/7, vents to outside and I have no smells or flies...
 
V1701 said:
Looks very well kept, as Stemar says get it surveyed to include hull thickness check, they do it on canal boats here I think ultrasound is how it works. I assume they'll know all about that in Holland with all the steel boats there. In lieu of removing the existing sea loo you could, if there's room to store it somewhere, just have a porta potti for use in the marina? FWIW I built the box of my separator loo with a 12v computer fan that runs 24/7, vents to outside and I have no smells or flies...
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There are many solutions for holding tanks. Some which can be built in around the base of a normal sea toilet. That is the route I would go. Much more civilized than any other solution.
 
westernman said:
There are many solutions for holding tanks. Some which can be built in around the base of a normal sea toilet. That is the route I would go. Much more civilized than any other solution.
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A separator loo is zero maintenance and far less hassle than having a holding tank in my experience. Mine replaced an electric fresh water flushing via a macerator into a 100L holding tank thing that I dismantled and cleaned twice before throwing the towel in. What a nightmare, never again for me...
 
V1701 said:
A separator loo is zero maintenance and far less hassle than having a holding tank in my experience. Mine replaced an electric fresh water flushing via a macerator into a 100L holding tank thing that I dismantled and cleaned twice before throwing the towel in. What a nightmare, never again for me...
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I have used a holding tank for the last 12 years. No issues at all.
 
Well I don't know what to say about the great toilet debate LOL. I did a bit of reading and am not much better off. I think in the end budget and what the boat comes with will probably decide.

@Rhylsailer99
Thanks for the link to the Hunter 34 I've checked it out and sent the seller a message on Facebook. That model looks like a lot of boat for the money. Very spacious interior and nice looking so thanks for the referral.
Edit: Oops sorry. This boat is outside the EU so subject to that vicious VAT, which on a limited budget is unfortunately a deal breaker. But thanks for the suggestion :)

BTW, that steel boat sold. Somebody willing to take the risk snapped it up I guess..

I'm also considering this Elan 33 and have contacted the owner.
Tweedehands 1989 Elan 33 | Botentekoop

Any thoughts?
 
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By UK standards that sounds suspiciously cheap! The Elan is in a different league from the other boats you have been looking at. Much more performance orientated but originally built to a good standard. depends on the condition as usual.
 
Interesting it seems to come with crew as well. Calling it a 33 seems a misnomer if it’s 11m but I don’t know the model but for the price if the engine is good it looks better than many of that age down below. Some might find the interior a tad dark maybe but if you like the style it’s also found in Bavaria’s of the generation when terms like “holiday” designated models. I would set up a test sail and see if it’s too twitchy or if mainsheet hard to handle. It has a tiller which might some off at that length ? Might get lots of counter views on the tiller point though and you might prefer. What are the sails like, would it’s berth be available if convenient for you?
 
fredrussell said:
Good boats, snap it up!
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It seems that's how it works. Most of the boats that seem like a really good deal I think about it and they get 'snapped up' quick.
Finding a good used boat really is difficult for a first time buyer. Not complaining that's just how it seems to be.
You've got to be both well educated, and quick!

Tranona said:
By UK standards that sounds suspiciously cheap! The Elan is in a different league from the other boats you have been looking at. Much more performance orientated but originally built to a good standard. depends on the condition as usual.
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It does look in a different league. The interior is like Ok that's nicer than anything I've seen so far.
It's the 'performance oriented' that I'm a little worried about. Been watching Windy for a while and the winds in The Netherlands are both more severe and more gusty than most places. I guess it's no accident that Dutch boats seem to have a reputation for being relatively heavy and stability oriented.

ashtead said:
Interesting it seems to come with crew as well. Calling it a 33 seems a misnomer if it’s 11m but I don’t know the model but for the price if the engine is good it looks better than many of that age down below. Some might find the interior a tad dark maybe but if you like the style it’s also found in Bavaria’s of the generation when terms like “holiday” designated models. I would set up a test sail and see if it’s too twitchy or if mainsheet hard to handle. It has a tiller which might some off at that length ? Might get lots of counter views on the tiller point though and you might prefer. What are the sails like, would it’s berth be available if convenient for you?
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Yeah it says it's a 33. But then at least a meter of that is a swimming platform which is next to useless in The Netherlands :)
I'll see if I can setup a test sail. Good idea. I am a bit concerned about a 'performance boat'. I'm not completely inexperienced, but I'm no expert either, and I'll be sailing a lot solo. I wonder how much the stability can be improved by just over reefing?

Anyway I'll give the guy a call and post feedback later. Thanks everyone :)
 
This is so typical NL (current report).
How about 21 gusting to 35 and within hours its 7 gusting to 11.
A little 'variable' would be the understatement of the century!

Typical NL.jpg

And I wonder how much of that 'variability' aggressive preemptive reefing can absorb???
Edit: I probably should have led with this in my original post!
 
Little different from here in Poole on the s Coast. there is a strong northerly airstream common at this time of year - not the time that most people go sailing! - although last week was delightful with relatively light easterlies.

With regard to the performance aspect, Elan have traditionally been at the performance end of the cruising spectrum, but many say it is easier to "throttle back" a performance boat than sail a more pedestrian one at the limit. Having said that if the primary requirement is a liveaboard there are much more suitable boats of that size, although as you have found they are not necessarily available within your budget.
 
Tranona said:
Little different from here in Poole on the s Coast. there is a strong northerly airstream common at this time of year - not the time that most people go sailing! - although last week was delightful with relatively light easterlies.

With regard to the performance aspect, Elan have traditionally been at the performance end of the cruising spectrum, but many say it is easier to "throttle back" a performance boat than sail a more pedestrian one at the limit. Having said that if the primary requirement is a liveaboard there are much more suitable boats of that size, although as you have found they are not necessarily available within your budget.
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That's an interesting point about performance. I guess that at least in part explains why so many migrate toward more performance oriented boats.

The Elan BTW is likely gone. Buyer from Germany coming in tomorrow for inspection. And the owner says he's firm on the price as he has so much interest. Plus he said the max headroom is only 180cm (5 ft 9 inches) which is shorter than me, so not being able to stand upright is not exactly ideal for a live aboard anyway.

To me it doesn't seem like a very good buyer's market as others have said. The Elan has original saltwater cooled engine, original standing rigging, and well used (15 years old I believe he said) sails with 'a couple years' left in them. So none of the big ticket maintenance items have been done. And he's still selling it basically overnight!

I'm now thinking maybe V1701 was right when he suggested a motorboat for a live aboard in this price range. As much as I cringe at the idea, it may be a practical way to save up faster for a better sailboat. And just rent sailboats for another year while letting this crazy market cool off a bit.

I'm not giving up, just a bit less hopeful of finding a good deal, especially since the better values in the UK are now off limits due to new VAT rules. As much as UK residents also bemoan the current market, theirs is still offering much more value from what I can see than The Netherlands where everything is generally quite severely overpriced anyway.

fredrussell said:
I love that this ‘what boat?’ thread has morphed into a discussion of current weather trends - classic thread drift!
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Yeah, I only meant to say that this is *typical* weather variability in The Netherlands. For example a couple of years ago a place where I like to rent day sailors was full of rental boats on the water and they all got knocked down like dominos when a big gust came out of nowhere. Or so the owner said. I believe him. It can be like that here.

Edit: the snow yesterday was nice though :)
 
Yep it sold today.

I'm starting to think Larry and Lin Pardy are frauds LOL.
There is no such thing as a good cheap used sailboat...
 
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