Looking for boat for my daughter

[eddystone]

This would be semi-liveaboard for a post graduate student in Plymouth, to be kept in a marina. I don't think sailing qualities are the key criteria, more domestic comforts and low maintenance (she gets her excitement from racing dinghies and sometimes keelboats). Due to being left some money could go up to around 40K (maybe 30-35 allowing money for repairs and renewals). 30-32ft. Seems anything suitable that comes up gets snapped up at once and marina berths now on waiting list
Apart from Hanse 310, Sun Odyssey, Oceanis, Bavaria, any other ideas? I already have an older boat and the dinghies to maintain and don't wish to become a full time bosun so nothing too old. Plan to start looking seriously in August.

 

[Dino]

Beneteau 31.7, Jeanneau Sunfast 32 or maybe an Elan 31. If she’s a racer she will enjoy the better performance and she could cruise it or race it.
Something like Beneteau First 31.7 for sale UK, Beneteau boats for sale, Beneteau used boat sales, Beneteau Sailing Yachts For Sale 2001 Beneteau First 31.7 - Apollo Duck

 

[bedouin]

How about something older like a Moody - say a 34 in centre cockpit configuration. For what you suggest I think I would go for a CC as it makes for more convenient living. I know you say nothing too old but they are well built boats and probably no more effort to maintain than the boats you mention.

 

[PlanB]

As usual, one of the things to consider is which marinas will accept/turn a blind eye to liveaboards.

 

[eddystone]

As usual, one of the things to consider is which marinas will accept/turn a blind eye to liveaboards.

Yes we've researched that

 

[Malo37]

If it's for living in rather than sailing, why a boat? You can get a very nice static caravan for much less money and less hassle.

 

[eddystone]

If it's for living in rather than sailing, why a boat? You can get a very nice static caravan for much less money and less hassle.

Fair point and why indeed would a 21 year old want to sink a large part of her windfall in something that will depreciate (maybe not too much over short time period one hopes), may not be relevant to her life in 2 years time, and would not be her first choice to go sailing in( as opposed to RS Aero, Fireball, F15, Soling etc., etc.)! But she seems to have her mind set on this so I'm trying to steer her towards something that meets criteria but also has decent resale prospects. BTW I would say a Moody 34 would be far too large and I'm thinking something post 2000, if necessary smaller than 30ft.

 

[fredrussell]

I would have thought any Jen/Ben/Bav would do wouldn’t it?

 

[Quandary]

We have a Moody S31, it sails quite well but is big attribute is how little there is to maintain, all the internal head linings are moulded GRP, the hull lining is teak strips. Joinery high quality. Only teak on deck is inset cockpit seats (often replaced with imitation) and two handrails. The transom folds down for easy boarding from a pontoon or dinghy. Practical galley and head and massive full width aft cabin. Upholstery is very 90s and a bit garish but durable fabrics.
They are mostly late 90s but very durable and should be only half way through their lifespan, price seems to have dropped about £10k in the last 3-4 years. They also sail better than you might expect for a Moody. Only one cockpit locker though, most storage is inside.

 

[eddystone]

We have a Moody S31, it sails quite well but is big attribute is how little there is to maintain, all the internal head linings are moulded GRP, the hull lining is teak strips. Joinery high quality. Only teak on deck is inset cockpit seats (often replaced with imitation) and two handrails. The transom folds down for easy boarding from a pontoon or dinghy. Practical galley and head and massive full width aft cabin. Upholstery is very 90s and a bit garish but durable fabrics.
They are mostly late 90s but very durable and should be only half way through their lifespan, price seems to have dropped about £10k in the last 3-4 years. They also sail better than you might expect for a Moody. Only one cockpit locker though, most storage is inside.

If I could find one of those ideal. I use to crew a Moody 37 many decades ago and thought that sailed well. There is another boat that would be ideal but they are as rare as hens teeth - the Stephen Jones designed Sadler 290. I wouldn't rule out a really really well maintained Moody 31 mk2 post 1990

 

[doug748]

A Bavaria 32 would seem ideal but, as you note, prices are on the rise. A 30k boat last year now seems to be asking £35k and they are few and far between.
If she can live compact an older boat (I know, I know) might need to be considered, like this local one which seems well looked after:

Sadler 32

The key advantage at looking at older boats is the wider choice that becomes available, the dogs can be discounted. As a dinghy racer she might learn to love an old First in a way she never might a cruising Bavaria.
Shame you seem to be hitting the boat price roundabout at the wrong time for really keen value and choice.

.

 

[[3889]]

Fair point and why indeed would a 21 year old want to sink a large part of her windfall in something that will depreciate (maybe not too much over short time period one hopes), may not be relevant to her life in 2 years time, and would not be her first choice to go sailing in( as opposed to RS Aero, Fireball, F15, Soling etc., etc.)! But she seems to have her mind set on this so I'm trying to steer her towards something that meets criteria but also has decent resale prospects.

I resisted the temptation to make this rather obvious point and glad I did as it's already been considered.
A Hunter Channel (no connection to link) might be worth considering. A bilge keeler could save berthing fees during the summer months. I lived on my Hunter 272 during the week whilst at Uni and was more than twice your daughter's age. Works as showers etc. are available in the college.

 

[eddystone]

A Bavaria 32 would seem ideal but, as you note, prices are on the rise. A 30k boat last year now seems to be asking £35k and they are few and far between.
If she can live compact an older boat (I know, I know) might need to be considered, like this local one which seems well looked after:

Sadler 32

The key advantage at looking at older boats is the wider choice that becomes available, the dogs can be discounted. As a dinghy racer she might learn to love an old First in a way she never might a cruising Bavaria.
Shame you seem to be hitting the boat price roundabout at the wrong time for really keen value and choice.

.

We already, sorry I already, have a Sadler 32 but I've no intention of surrendering it to be a caravan! But it also lacks shore power, AC sockets, holding tank, fridge, shower etc as what I invest in that boat is geared towards sailing, not standing still.

 

[Tranona]

Any of the late 90s early 2000s 30-34' AWBs would serve. They are comfortably in the price range, but very little on the market now. When I was looking 5 years ago there were usually 6-8 Bav 32s on the market at any one time, now there is only one listed and it is under offer. Asking prices are much the same now as well. Really can't go wrong with any of the popular models as the key requirement is for sleeping on rather than looking at and sailing (not that there is much wrong with either of those attributes either) and likely be easy to sell when future plans change.

 

[doris]

Fair point and why indeed would a 21 year old want to sink a large part of her windfall in something that will depreciate (maybe not too much over short time period one hopes), may not be relevant to her life in 2 years time, and would not be her first choice to go sailing in( as opposed to RS Aero, Fireball, F15, Soling etc., etc.)! But she seems to have her mind set on this so I'm trying to steer her towards something that meets criteria but also has decent resale prospects. BTW I would say a Moody 34 would be far too large and I'm thinking something post 2000, if necessary smaller than 30ft.

Looking at the amazing buoyancy of the current market one cannot help but think that in a year or two the depreciation might be a tad severe! I'm probably completely wrong but when the reality of boat ownership hits teh myriad of new owners, and normality returns there will be a fair few decent boats on the market.

 

[eddystone]

Looking at the amazing buoyancy of the current market one cannot help but think that in a year or two the depreciation might be a tad severe! I'm probably completely wrong but when the reality of boat ownership hits teh myriad of new owners, and normality returns there will be a fair few decent boats on the market.

That is precisely my concern. Actually the annual running costs of a boat including marina fees in central Plymouth (key criteria easy access to Marine Studies faculty) are less than rented accommodation, but the big variable is cost of 12 months depreciation

 

[Capt Popeye]

If your Daughter has a Marina or two in mind, that she would prefer to live at, as she researched the boats availble for sale at those Marinas; it might increase her chances of actually residing there if the boat is already there; also cut down on any moving boat costs

Best of luck with her adventures, on and off he water

 

[Neeves]

Unless its been marina based in the past I wonder how many yachts are equipped for, or with, shore power - or do they come as standard in Europe. If you are serious about live aboard - hot water for showers? We have a gas boiler for prolonged periods at anchor - but I think we are unusual (in many ways ).

Jonathan

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

Looking at the amazing buoyancy of the current market one cannot help but think that in a year or two the depreciation might be a tad severe! I'm probably completely wrong but when the reality of boat ownership hits teh myriad of new owners, and normality returns there will be a fair few decent boats on the market.

It's all post-Covid speculation, but given that a Sunsail fortnight is at least £10k for a family of five, I think that's where the money has come from for marina fees etc.. The unknown is how many will go back to automatic foreign holidays, and how quickly. I can see an argument that a fair lot will have found that the relatively few boaty weekends they may have enjoyed as a bonus will tempt them to stay on as UK boaters. Maybe it's even the shot in the arm that the pastime was in need of? Not great for those of whose plans were to move up in the nearer future though.

 

[Tranona]

That is precisely my concern. Actually the annual running costs of a boat including marina fees in central Plymouth (key criteria easy access to Marine Studies faculty) are less than rented accommodation, but the big variable is cost of 12 months depreciation

I am a bit more bullish about future prices, for 2 reasons. The pool of modern second hand yachts is not growing, partly because very few new ones in the under 35' have been sold in the last 5 years and partly because it is no longer economic to buy boats from the much larger pool in the EU. The post covid boom may also lead to a rapid rise in disposable income (plus the pent up savings) leading to greater demand.

However over a fixed 2 year time scale the risk adverse side of me would tend toward renting. This avoids transaction costs (eg brokers fees on sale of boat) and illiquidity if new opportunities come up at graduation which makes the boat redundant. Guess the choice for daughter is whether she is prepared to take these risks for the short term cash flow advantages plus the cachet of owning a boat few of her age could ever contemplate!