Hi chaps/lasses

[Micky]

Been a few weeks since i last posted to say i was going to sell my house and buy a liveaboard boat.

Well it has happened, the house is SOLD, and i now have until mid January to find the right boat.

Have had a look at a few, and had some helpful feedback from a couple of guys off this forum, many thanks.

So now it's getting closer and the time has come to start clearing out the house...God what a load of stuff we collect over the years.

Most important Find that boat, as so far all those that we have seen have not made the target of 10/10.
However, one thing that we have found out is, the higher priced boats don't always mean they are better, if you know what i mean.
Quite a lot of cheaper boats on offer have had a vast amount of extras added over the years by the owners, compared to some of the dearer newer boats which are quite basic at times.

Question is, would you go for an older lower priced boat fitted with lots of extras, or a newer more expensive model with just basic equipment fitted.



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Talbot]

abt a 10 year old with all the bells and whistles - most of the original teething troubles should have been fixed!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ccscott49]

Older with all the EXPENSIVE bits and pieces, IMHO.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[rivalranger]

Older with the extra's! However, bear in mind that some of these extra's may need replacing due to their age. For example, liferafts, sails and rigging.

Also some items may need to be replaced due to the onwards march of technology. For example, Non DSC vhf and old navtex systems that can't be programmed to the latest stations correctly (old Nasa green screen).

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[mike_bryon]

Hi Micky

I have always bought older boats but be sure the equipment you view is included in the sale. This might seem obvious but take the trouble of agreeing a very detailed inventory. List removable items spares, ensign, flag pole, fenders, warps. Establish if items like for example tender, oars, outboard, navigation and safety equipment is included (not just the fitted stuff but handheld back up items too) It is not uncommon to complete the sale only to find half the things you expected missing. Few brokers will produce an adequate inventory nor will a surveyor. So take a whole day to draw up the list yourself looking in every locker and get the owner to agree what is included. Look for reduction in the price or walk away if it transpires that an apparently well equipped boat is in fact to be sold stripped.

regards

mike

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Nauti Fox]

Agree with everyone else Micky,older boats with the equipment.Be prepared to replace things like pumps,elements etc as they will probably had an easy life and when you go onboard they'll be working 24/7.We had that on our boat,but the upside is you soon get to know all the systems well!
One thing that is worth checking is that the shore power works ok on the boat and you don't have any tripping problems.
Good luck, Al.

<hr width=100% size=1>No dear,the water goes in the other one.

 

[capel679]

i would go for older if for no other reason than you wont have to give gordon any more bloody money than he gets now. possibly the savings you make from NOT paying vat will give you more dosh to buy those little extras.
but would agree with what is already said also.
god luck.


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Micky]

Thanks chaps. Thats pretty positive feedback.

Will take note what was said about taking down and making notes of all the items on board, cheers.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Anonymous]

I was in the same position as you in April - we completed in June. We camped on our small boat (a Centaur) until mid-August when we bought the new one (Nauticat 42). To be honest, we nearly made some expensive mistakes because of the pressure to find our boat - our new home. Thankfully we saw reason in time on one occasion, and a bad survey prevented the other wrong decision from going ahead. My most vociferous advice is don't let yourself be pressurised into buying by time. You can always stay in hotels, rent, or whatever.

We ended up buying a 5 year old, around 15% over my target budget, but we got a good deal because the market was very weak at the time. What we have found even with this fairly new and high-quality boat is that lots needs doing to her. That in itself has been a benefit since I now know most of the equipment and systems pretty intimately. By the way, even 1999 electronics is rather out of date and I am wondering whether to update - sounds unnecessary, I imagine, but there are issues.

In answer to your specific question, I think it's a balance but you do need to decide what equipment is essential for you. There is no point in having SSB and a satellite phone if you are only going to be cruising the Channel. It would be a waste of space. On the other hand, if your planned lifestyle demands a generator and a watermaker, then you will save over £10k if they are already included (and if they are in good condition which is VERY hard to assess). So it's not straightforward.

If you'd like to talk this over you are welcome to phone me - PM and I'll let you have my number.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[AndrewB]

I'd go the other way from most people, and like Lemain prefer newer with less gear. Reasons: a newish boat 3-7 years old will have the teething problems solved, everything works, all the spares you need will be available with no problems sourcing stuff, and you'll have a good few years before the regular maintenance problems start to increase.

The extra gear on the older boat is not quite such the blessing it looks. First, the choice of gear is partly personal, you are going to have accept someone else's choices (some of which you might well not bother with yourself). Second, some will be old and won't work as well as you would like or will lack modern features, so you'll end up replacing it before long anyway. Third, when you come to replace it you'll find holes and fittings all over the boat to accommodate it - stripping it out and making a neat replacement will be harder than fitting the original. Fourth, as the price particularly of electronic kit has fallen in relation to the yacht as a whole, old assumptions about the value of extra gear are less valid.

 

[Abigail]

I'd agree with the post about determining which extra gear is of particular value to you - but an older boat that has done the biz might well have ths ort of kit that''s invaluable and expensive - eg the extra big anchor and long, hi-strength chain, the twin headsails and tradewind rigging, good storm sails, blocks, shackles etc, maybe even things like tools and generators. This stuff doesn't date in the same way, is invaluable and adds up to an enormous value to you.

We bought a 26 year old boat that's been round once with loads of extra kit and we've had to do (are doing!) quite a lot of work, but there are fundamental costs that just are not on the list.

<hr width=100% size=1>Sarah & Pip

www.greatlittleboats.com
UK & Ireland distributors of Swifgig

 

[temptress]

Like everyone else -

Buy a used boat say over 2 years at least. The older you go the more you need to allow to update instruments, gear etc.

You will almost certanly need to get new sails unless you are very lucky. Standing rigging would need to be factored in as well.

if you buy a new production boat you need to allow another 50% to get it up to a liveaboard/longterm crusing spec. An older boat may have much of this done and need less updating.


<hr width=100% size=1>Temptress of Down
Southsea Marina
Hants

http://hometown.aol.com/temptressofdown

 

[chockswahay]

How about an older boat without too many goodies!

We spent a long time looking at many boats...........I found in many cases that if the boat was fitted with loads of nav kit etc then the owner was trying to recover as much of the spend as possible. The problem with this is that like all things electronic, the price halves and the spec doubles every 5 to 10 years or so.

So the reality is that you end up paying a fair amount of money for old kit that is easily replaced at todays much cheaper costs!

You have not mentioned budget or type (to my knowledge anyway) but there is definately mileage in that old saying "seek and ye shall find".

Also, a boat is unlikely to score 10/10, it will always be a compromise. Just decide which compromise you can or can't accept!

Good luck and don't be rushed (difficult I know)

Cheers

Chox

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Anonymous]

>>Good luck and don't be rushed (difficult I know)<<

Hear, Hear! Cannot be overstressed. I'm sure we're all the same - we fall in love with a boat and don't get a balanced picture of what's actually being offered. Much the same happens when it comes to the opposite sex....marry in haste, repent at leisure.


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[cliffb]

Hmm...
I would advocate buying at the end of the season. With any luck it'll be cold, p***ing with rain and you won't be at the mercy of your emotions. Much like shopping for food when you're hungry! Not a good idea.
It should also be a bit cheaper, or you can drive a harder bargain.
Just my opinion, of course.
Good luck

<hr width=100% size=1>