Keeper or Swopper?

How long do you keep a boat?

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Searush

Searush

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On the "age matters" thread Old Harry suggests that one boat will not last all your sailing career. Waddaya fink? I've had 2 (main) boats in 27 years, some people only seem to manage 12 months before wanting "the next one".

Please note "Main Boat" excludes all the dinghies/ tenders/ canoes etc that I have as playthings.
 
The responses don't really match my ownership pattern.

I've lost count of the number of boats we've owned (even excluding tenders, dinghies etc). Some I kept for a season, others for several years.

We had a very beautiful, very traditional, very wooden, gaff cutter for eight years....our personal record.

I blame this promiscuity on Maurice Griffiths, a fellow 'swapper', whose writing had a big influence on me during my early teens.
 
Always enjoy a change, even if it's a retrograde step. Each change gives you some new perspective on what you like and dislike.
I used to change cars on a very regular basis. We've just changed the Grand Vitara for..........a Grand Vitara.
That's the first time I have ever bought the same again. (OK, there's two doors less on this one).
 
I keep them as long as they suit.

My little Halcyon 27 was a great boat, but just too uncomfortable for new wife and me.

Sadler 32 is great, and would be reluctant to change after all of the work that's gone into her.

But a 40 footer might be a bit more comfortable, and provide a new 'house'.....
 
I always intend to keep for long time, but have some reason to need to sell. Previous big boat was too much maintenance for me so downsized to 29 footer. Have just been blessed with 3 daughters, so think I might have to be moving up again......unless the money get's allocated elsewhere!!

Do agree that each boat teaches you more about what you really need/want.
 
Keeping a boat

I have had my boat for coming up 30 years. It was 1 year old when I bought it. The type is still in production. I think I am very lucky to be satisfied.
The main point to me is that I can bring it home on a trailer. I( quite enjoy the winter refit in my backyard)

On the other hand the small boat has discouraged me from overnighting on the boat or doing long voyages so there is a down side to a small boat. So now only reincarnation will make me a long distance sailor.
olewill
 
William_H said:
I have had my boat for coming up 30 years. It was 1 year old when I bought it. The type is still in production. I think I am very lucky to be satisfied.
Click to expand...

You do not know how lucky you are, I envy people like you. I tend to get bored quickly, and it is painful and expensive.
 
Have just been blessed with 3 daughters, so think I might have to be moving up again......unless the money get's allocated elsewhere!!


No chance there mate, getting a new boat when you have 3 daughters and wife, i'm sure they'll have something to say about that, you have to pay for the gucci handbags x 4...

Getting back to the thread i tend to keep things for quite a time, you are either a changer or keeper
 
Last edited:
Never say never says I.

All depends on circumstances. At the mo, I sail mostly single-handed so a fairly small and easy to handle (and fairly cheap) is really good for me.

However, if I were to do something mental like get married etc then that may change. :)

Also if the sailing bug takes hold to a degree where I spend half of my life afloat then headroom and comfy Toilet (no seriously) would become important.

Such a fickle boy. :D
 
We're ten year people.
Circumstances changed at about that rate (for us, anyway) from
'high workload/small boat,'
through 'a bit more cash/some racing', and 'early retirement/liveaboard'
to 'old people/doddering round the coast'.
The boats matched the requirements at the time:
Corribee, shipman28, ericson39, claymore30.
 
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