Newbie Buying Advice

[conks01]

Hi,

I'm sure that most of you will agree I'm going about things the wrong way (as I tend to do!).

Basically I've been looking to get into sailing for some time and I am shortly going on a RYA taster/start sailing weekend.

In the local boatyard down in almost sunny Weston-s-Mare there's a 19' typical GRP sailing boat for sale, on a trailor. No idea of make at the moment or what comes with it.

The chap wants c£1,900 for it but is happy to do a deal. I haven't surveyed it yet and I'm going out to see it properly tomorrow evening hence why I'm asking the question now!

Given that I know nothing about sailing, buying boats etc. has anyone any advice they could offer as a general rule. What to look out for in relation to typical problems with the boat plus what should, or should not be included.

Thanks.

 

[Sandy]

Greetings and welcome...

Firstly work out what type of sailing you want to do. Sail on lots of different boats and find out what ones you like, then look at lots and lots of boats and then go and look at some more.

Set yourself a budget and double it; then and only then sould you go and buy a boat.

 

[Kelpie]

Boats are worth much less than the sum of their parts. So if there is anything significant missing or in need of replacement (trailer, engine, spars, rigging, sails, upholstery) you're almost always better off buying a more complete example, as the value of these things bought new will be out of proportion to the value of the complete boat.

Check for signs that he boat is well cared for. Have the sails been carefully folded/rolled and stored somewhere dry and out of sunlight? Has the engine been serviced properly with new anodes, a selection of spares, etc? Likewise the trailer- a potential money put if it's in bad condition.

Unless it's something relatively modern, a 19ftr at the price you mention should, IMHO, be just about ready to go with no major issues. So if it's in need of upgrades, repairs, or replacements, get the price down or look elsewhere.

 

[Hypocacculus]

Go sailing first. You might hate it.

 

[sealegsjim]

Don't rush out and buy it on impulse. Take your time and see if sailing is definitely for you and if it is then go and see lots of boats - there are plenty around in that bracket.

 

[sarabande]

any chance of some pics for us to look at ?


If you need someone to have a look at the boat, let me know. Sounds like quite a bit of money, but the condition e.g. of the trailer may have a lot to do with it.

 

[CreakyDecks]

Don't buy it yet! It's unlikely to be going anywhere soon.
Decide where you are going to sail and join the local sailing club. Then you can find out exactly what boats are best suited to the area you will be sailing. You can also find out about moorings, winter storage, launching and recovery. Then you can buy the right boat for the job.
I wish I'd done things in that order

 

[NickRobinson]

Good advice already posted- make sure it's a complete going concern.

I'm on my third yacht, after dinghies, canoes, little mobos and canal cruisers.

My first yacht was also a 19' (Seawych). I wouldn't want it now but at the time it was perfectly matched to my limited skills, aspirations and bank balance.

After two years, I sold it for the same price I paid, so effectively free. If it had been a 35' AWB in a marina it could have been a real money pit.

 

[conks01]

Thanks all for the advice, all noted.

I have no intention of buying at this stage. I'll have a good look tomorrow and get my head around it. May even upload some pics for you all.

Will keep you posted.

Cheers.

 

[Lakesailor]

Typical 19 ft yacht?

No such thing.

If it were a Cornish Shrimper it would be too cheap. If it were a Prelude it would be too dear.

Find out what it is, Take pics and post here. Get someone who has small boat experience to have a look for you. Lots of makes and models have generic problems (like keels coming loose, deckheads going soft, etc). Even a jerked trailer could cost you a lot. Suspension units, tyres and mudguards can easily cost £150-£200 even on a small boat trailer. A motor may be trouble-free or a nightmare.
OK-looking sails may need replacing sooner than you think (£6-700 for a small yacht).

Don't rush. There are loads of small boats in this price bracket. Many of them are rubbish.

 

[Spirit of Glenans]

As I always tell trainees at the end of a Taste of Sailing weekend, you will have only learned the bare minimum to allow you to get the boat moving and point it in the direction you want it to go. You will learn much more during a week's course and if you follow it up fairly soon with another week at the same level, if possible in stronger wind conditions, you will consolidate what you have learned. Continued practice will enable you to use your boat competently without it or yourself coming to harm. Then attend a theory Course through night classes during the Winter. A look at the RYA website will give you plenty of information.

 

[Tam Lin]

Take up golf.

 

[Ludd]

Take up golf.

Have you seen what they charge for a round of golf?! Don't even talk about clubs. Then there's the plus-fours ,the electric trolley ,the caddy,the 19th hole---- stick to sailing!
P.S. You need foul weather gear for both.

 

[Seajet]

conks01,

I know Uphill and the area, a bit of a dearth of sailing clubs which is what you need, to go along with someone a few times and see what's what.

As everyone says, there are lots of good small boats around for low prices now, so don't rush.

even when you do decide on a boat, don't pay much as within a year or two your ideas and taste with experience may well change a lot from preconceptions.

If you haven't already, try the Bristol Channel forum along from here, hopefully someone will need a crew - lots of people do, more often for company than any boat skills; I'm sure that's your way to go for now.

 

[conks01]

Take up golf.

Tam - that's the problem, I'm rubbish at Golf!

 

[conks01]

Thanks Seajet - appreciate the advice and the offer.

 

[conks01]

Hi All,

I looked at it tonight and to be fair, the seller was a nice guy and basically needs the money to buy an engine for his cruiser which he's just purchased. I've (hopefully) uploaded a picture and the rest can be viewed here on a Dropbox link : https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6ov6hyauxv0t5cu/AAB69yOZ4aUIU8MCvhOxIYW_a
View attachment 43499

The details are:

Catalina/Jaguar 22 (so not 19' as originally thought!).
Built in the 1980's.
No engine - outboard only and not included in sale.
Jib & main sails look fine.
No toilet.
Sheets look OK.
No radio.
Depth sounder.
Trailer OK - wheels missing in pics but these are available.
Seller might throw in a dinghy.
Retractable keel.
Larger rear deck area as living quarters have been reduced instead which I was told was unusual for a Jaguar.

I've left I that I would think it over. He bought it for £2,000 and is looking for c£1,900. He would throw in the dinghy for that money but I can't help thinking £1,500, especially as no engine, toilet or radio.

General condition looks fair, a few repairs to the hull (see pics in the Dropbox link above).

It's sitting there in the boat yard free of charge. Mud moorings are £70 pa and pontoon £350. Not sure if a retractable keel is a good idea? Possibly given the tides that you get in the BC?

Anyway, undoubtedly the best way forward is to get myself on a RYA course but I'd appreciate any comments.

Thanks.

 

[Spyro]

Best thing is to look at other boats around that price. Have a look on boatsandoutboards. First impression to me is it looks neglected. If I was selling it I would at least have cleaned the topsides and cockpit.

 

[mrming]

I would strongly advise buying a boat which has been a recent project where all the work has been done. As has been wisely said above, small used boats are worth far less than their parts, and the parts can add up to a LOT of money. I know this from experience.

Not in your area I know, but here's a good example:
http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/advert.phtml?id=368411

The list of things the owner has done are very representative of the things you may eventually have to do if you buy the boat in the pictures. Benefit from someone else's work - I promise you if you don't heed this advice you will regret it (unless of course you would rather do up a boat for the sheer pleasure rather than go sailing - nothing wrong with that).

Edit - this one may also be worth a look as it's on a trailer and you could tow it home:
http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=339163

I would ask for a lot more pictures via email first though...

 

[Tam Lin]

Tam - that's the problem, I'm rubbish at Golf!

OK so a more serious answer! If you are determined to get a boat then, like golf, it is going to cost you money! Things will break, let you down, and generally do their best to screw you up. You will spend time fixing things instead of going sailing. You will get cold, wet, bruised and sometimes frightened. You may get seasick.
On the other hand, if the bug hits you then there is nothing you can do about it!
The boat in the pics looks like a good place to start but as other people have said there are plenty of them around so you shouldn't be in too much of a hurry to buy one. If you look at different ones that are for sale you will get a good idea of what a good boat looks like, what is cosmetic and can be easily sorted and what is serious.
Boats with outboards have certain advantages, the main one being that they are easy to replace if they go wrong. I have bought a couple off eBay, one needed some work but the other was brilliant. They both cost a very small fraction of the price of replacing a diesel inboard.
Magazines, books, the forum and other sailors will all give good advice but the best learning comes from actually doing it so go on a course, sail with others buy your own boat, whatever!
Good luck!