If you had to choose a <£30k yacht from the market right now, which would it be?

[salad]

Looks like a lot of boat for the money that. Good spot.

It does rather, doesnt it.

 

[salad]

You seem determined to ignore the good advice you're getting so just buy this:
Jeanneau Sun Fast 37 for sale UK, Jeanneau boats for sale, Jeanneau used boat sales, Jeanneau Sailing Yachts For Sale Sun Fast 37 - Apollo Duck

Big enough to spend 60 days a year on and do any sailing you want and modern enough to keep the wife happy.
As a benefit you'll have no trouble selling it when the reality of that commute hits home.

Hire a delivery skipper and accompany them on a leisurely 10 day delivery/training course to Scotland and you'll be good to go.

Well it's quite hard to take everyones advice. If I did so I'd buy a boat but not buy a boat, buy a 26 and a 37, buy a cruising membership or charter, and so on.

Lots of different opinions have been given and I haven't ignored anyone, but it's taking some time to come around to a practical solution that suits our circumstances and goals.

Nice spot on the Jeanneau though.

 

[salad]

That's a former Sunsail boat from the Port Solent fleet.

Not that there's anything especially wrong with that, and it looks like it's had quite a bit of money since the Sunsail days, but it's something to be aware of.

I've seen the boat before somewhere but I can't place it. The name was very easy to remember.

 

[Salt'n'shaken]

Well it's quite hard to take everyones advice. If I did so I'd buy a boat but not buy a boat, buy a 26 and a 37, buy a cruising membership or charter, and so on.

Lots of different opinions have been given and I haven't ignored anyone, but it's taking some time to come around to a practical solution that suits our circumstances and goals.

Nice spot on the Jeanneau though.

You did ask ?

I took the approach of identifying the make and model of boat I wanted at my price range and basically waited it out until circumstances and the right boat coming up made it possible.

Filled my time with bits of dinghy sailing, theory courses and eSail (it is very good for beginners, just like a flight sim would be if you wanted to learn to fly).

If I would of had to wait any longer, I'd have gone down the trailer-sailer route as a stopgap.

 

[salad]

You did ask ?

I took the approach of identifying the make and model of boat I wanted at my price range and basically waited it out until circumstances and the right boat coming up made it possible.

Filled my time with bits of dinghy sailing, theory courses and eSail (it is very good for beginners, just like a flight sim would be if you wanted to learn to fly).

If I would of had to wait any longer, I'd have gone down the trailer-sailer route as a stopgap.

haha I meant take everyones advice at the same time!

 

[Salt'n'shaken]

haha I meant take everyones advice at the same time!

I know. It just goes to show that there are so many ways to approach it, it's ultimately what suits you in the end.

Personally, I found the process of researching the different boats alleviated the frustration of not being able to go out and buy one (COVID and house moves). I understand that wouldn't work for everyone. Ultimately happy with my purchase (Hunter Horizon 27). Would have loved to have more to spend mind and would have had a Channel 31 - but then I'd also like to have kids that don't chat back! C'est la vie

 

[lustyd]

man who says to use the cheapest surveyor you can find says surveys are useless!

That advice is based on experience of expensive ones which are generally copy/paste jobs with little real value. If someone can’t determine if a yacht is generally sound they shouldn’t be buying a yacht as they certainly wouldn’t have the necessary skills to keep it safe and sound.

 

[Skellum]

Surprised nobody has mentioned an Anderson 22 yet?

 

[Tranona]

That advice is based on experience of expensive ones which are generally copy/paste jobs with little real value. If someone can’t determine if a yacht is generally sound they shouldn’t be buying a yacht as they certainly wouldn’t have the necessary skills to keep it safe and sound.

In that case the n umber of people who could meet your requirement for a boat owner would be very small and the price of boats would plummet.

Get real - even people who have years of experience with boats will take the advice of a surveyor before committing to such a large expenditure. Equally it is not unreasonable for insurers to ask for a professional opinion on the boat rather than the owner before insuring it - not least to confirm that the boat actually exists.

As I said if you want better value from your surveyor then use him properly. You may well be surprised what you can learn about the boat through spending a few hours going through it in detail with another person.

Of course there are some people who think they know it all anyway, but the advice to most people buying used boats is to take expert advice.

 

[salad]

That advice is based on experience of expensive ones which are generally copy/paste jobs with little real value. If someone can’t determine if a yacht is generally sound they shouldn’t be buying a yacht as they certainly wouldn’t have the necessary skills to keep it safe and sound.

In building surveying there is also a lot of cut and paste, but thats because there is so much repetition. The value is in the person compiling the document knowing what to cut and paste and where, plus their oversight. Good and bad surveyors in every industry, no doubt and I do think owners should understand basic mechanical functions and maintenance. I certainly intend to. It's part of the fun. When I do get around to buying, I will take along one of my lifelong friends, who is a professional skipper and MCA master. I'll still have a survey done though as it has many uses.

 

[salad]

Surprised nobody has mentioned an Anderson 22 yet?

It's a bit small for the family to spend a week on after driving 4 hours. Otherwise, it's a lovely little boat.

 

[Never Grumble]

That advice is based on experience of expensive ones which are generally copy/paste jobs with little real value. If someone can’t determine if a yacht is generally sound they shouldn’t be buying a yacht as they certainly wouldn’t have the necessary skills to keep it safe and sound.

That's a bit harsh. How do you learn without getting your hands dirty. If so inclined most things you can research and work out what to do and/or take advice from those more knowledgeable.

I had a survey done despite being an apprenticed shipwright albeit from a hands on perspective somewhat lapsed. I would agree that some surveys are better than others.

 

[lustyd]

That's a bit harsh. How do you learn without getting your hands dirty

Knowing how to fix something is different than knowing something needs fixing. There are very few problems a boat will have that any practical type person wouldn’t see. I’m not sure what people who rely on surveys do when something breaks mid-cruise, perhaps ignore it until the annual survey?

 

[salad]

Knowing how to fix something is different than knowing something needs fixing. There are very few problems a boat will have that any practical type person wouldn’t see. I’m not sure what people who rely on surveys do when something breaks mid-cruise, perhaps ignore it until the annual survey?

This discussion may missing a vital component, the issue of liability.

I have not worked with a marine surveyor yet, but presumably they carry PI insurance, which a customer can claim against if the surveyor makes a serious error. If you don't have a survey, you'd be entirely alone if you overlooked something.

 

[Never Grumble]

Knowing how to fix something is different than knowing something needs fixing. There are very few problems a boat will have that any practical type person wouldn’t see. I’m not sure what people who rely on surveys do when something breaks mid-cruise, perhaps ignore it until the annual survey?

Sometimes things last for a long time before they pack up. Some people who have surveys done are pretty resourceful. Fixing stuff mid cruise usually relates to how essential it is, at least that is generally my approach.

This discussion may missing a vital component, the issue of liability. I have not worked with a marine surveyor yet, but presumably they carry PI insurance, which a customer can claim against if the surveyor makes a serious error. If you don't have a survey, you'd be entirely alone if you overlooked something.

I checked my last survey and yes there was reference to PII but there was also a whole load of exclusions and references to outside the scope of this survey. I used to do commercial property valuations so do understand a fair amount about this. I bet few surveyors, if any, are regularly/successfully sued.

 

[salad]

I checked my last survey and yes there was reference to PII but there was also a whole load of exclusions and references to outside the scope of this survey. I used to do commercial property valuations so do understand a fair amount about this. I bet few surveyors, if any, are regularly/successfully sued.

Exclusions can be stated, but contract terms must also be reasonable, as I'm sure you know.

I just thought I'd raise the point. PI certainly isn't the solution to everything, more of an added benefit to obtaining a survey.

 

[Tranona]

Sometimes things last for a long time before they pack up. Some people who have surveys done are pretty resourceful. Fixing stuff mid cruise usually relates to how essential it is, at least that is generally my approach.


I checked my last survey and yes there was reference to PII but there was also a whole load of exclusions and references to outside the scope of this survey. I used to do commercial property valuations so do understand a fair amount about this. I bet few surveyors, if any, are regularly/successfully sued.

Suspect that is because the failures that a surveyor ought to have spotted that resulted in a significant loss for thee person who relied upon it (shorthand for negligence) are rare. It has happened, but usually with high value boats and major losses.

PII does have one other benefit, insurers are reluctant to cover people without suitable qualifications or experience with a clean record. They can also be very selective. one local surveyor with a long experience of wooden boats can no longer get insurance for those because there are so few to do and he has no recent record.

 

[ashtead]

I suspect having seen marine surveyors the issue for the newbie entrant to the market is telling which of Cassandra warnings should be taken into account -it’s a question of balance however if you can find a surveyor in your type of craft it does if you are not scared off ever buying anything have a checklist to work thought . I would ask around-a mate of mine was buying a Bavaria mobo and while my mobo knowledge was limited I was able to give him a surveyor name and it gave him an idea of where to pitch his offer and what he wanted the dealer to fix on a stock boat. If I’m investing tens of thousands I think it is wise to consult with someone who should have seen a lot of the make/model etc.

 

[L_555]

I haven't read the entire post, but if you do a search there is a Sadler 34 for sale for 20k on the South Coast. Been on the market for quite some time so would be worth an offer and clearly needs upgrading, but with some money spent would be a great family boat. (I haven't visited it, just seem the advert.

 

[salad]

I haven't read the entire post, but if you do a search there is a Sadler 34 for sale for 20k on the South Coast. Been on the market for quite some time so would be worth an offer and clearly needs upgrading, but with some money spent would be a great family boat. (I haven't visited it, just seem the advert.

Thanks, thats interesting because another Sadler 34 was listed just yesterday.

We're still in two minds about what to do.

We're trying to decide between a membership scheme and owning our own cheaper boat to learn on. I use the term "cheaper" very loosely.

The rental scheme seems great and is, if you just want to go and cruise, but we're probably going to need to sit around and learn stuff just by being aboard, which would be a waste of allocated days. Plus everything you'll need, you have to take with you, which is a major pain when kids are involved. The amount of stuff is ungodly even just for a day at the beach. Everything is taken care of berthing and maintenance wise under these schemes, but not sure if thats a good thing if we want to own our own boat in the short term, as we're not going to learn anything about maintenance.

On the other hand, with our own cheaper boat, we'd have to get down and dirty to sort things out, which would make us learn about the ownership experience and functions of a yacht outside of actual sailing. Plus we can sit around and take our time.

Unfortunately with these cheaper boats, it makes the delivery and survey form a significant portion of the purchase price. I think to get the Sadler 34 from Kent to Largs, we'd be looking at about £2k. Add £1k for a survey and it's adding circa 15% to the price. Looks like it needs a new sprayhood, stack pack and a bunch of updating.

It might be that if a suitable smaller boat comes up in the west of Scotland and we can use it to learn on, we may be swayed towards ownership.

It's a nice choice to have I suppose, but a tough one.