Old boat or new boat?

[robmurray]

I own a beautiful 9 year old Starlight 39 - lovely condition with new electronics, sails, etc and perfect to sail. She looks 2 years old but she costs a fortune to run and is ageing like her owner. She is worth nearly the cost of a new imported yacht of similar size. Im less than 40 and will sail indefinitely. Would you sell her or keep her and if so when does a yacht become uneconomic?

 

[tony_brighton]

Didn't think yachts were economic right from day 1. If you went for one of the cheaper imports (I know I've got one) you'd probably be disappointed after a quality boat like yours. Stick with it.

 

[andy_wilson]

New imported boat?

Island Packet, Swan, Halberg Rassey, Najad...........

Why not buy a Brit., Oyster, Rustler, Moody.

We are not talking about BenJenBav here are we? Buy one and weep.

 

[kgi]

You've got this boat just how you want it, now you want to sell it? So whats the electronics package look like on the boat your thinking of? I would guess not nearly as good as the one you have, and then think of all the other things it wont have,anchor, fenders warps, spare everything for the engine, etc, etc A new boat in my opinion does not equate to less problems, just different ones..........stick with what you have,.. after all its better the devil you know.................keith

 

[JeremyF]

If you like it,keep it.
If you have kept up to date with the renewal programme, as you evidently have, why on earth change? What gets me is the high prices charged by 10 y.o. yachts that clearly have had no money spent since launch, and yet they want top dollar. Thats why I went mass-produced new. If you have maintained her well, it would be crazy to sell.

<font color=blue>Jeremy Flynn/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif
Dawn Chorus</font color=blue>

 

[Mirelle]

Since my boat is 65 years old, and I bought her when she was 47, you can probably guess my views!

But, seriously, you can keep a boat going as long as you like, provided you are willing to commit the necessary time, effrot and money to her. Very little of my boat, apart from the hull (and not all of that!) is now original. From tanks and settee cushions to electronics to the windlass to the engine to the WC to the stove to the reefing gear, it has all been renewed, including a complete rip out and rebuild of all the accomodation, bulkheads and all.

On this basis, I see no reason why the boat should not, barring accidents, keep going for ever. She is in pretty good nick now.

One very serious point is that generally an owner puts better equipment into a boat than she was built with, so she should, assuming good owners, gradually get better and better.

 

[chippie]

I agree with the others that say a boat is never economic. The interesting thing to me is that you are asking the question re your current boat. I find myself asking the same question with mine, but after a good sail I always feel happier with the equation. Maybe the answer will come when another vessel catches your eye and the feelings change. They are female after all.

 

[Mr Cassandra]

I think the day a yacht becomes uneconomic is the day you buy her.IMHO your 9yrs old yacht would be better than a new inported yacht.Stay with what you know and love . cheers bobt

Bob T

 

[billmacfarlane]

A Starlight is an exceptional boat to sail and any of the foreign production boats won't have a patch on it. Imagine buying something new and comparable then cost it up . It would cost you a fortune. Keep spending the money and keep your boat up to date and she'll last many years . Oh , and enjoy !!! She's a lovely boat. As a matter of interest what modern day production boat do you think is comparable to her ?

 

[Guest]

Fishing for complements

You just want everyone to say how nice your boat is

 

[pkb]

Why is she costing a fortune to run? New sails, new rigging? Surely if that's the case these are one-off costs and nothing compared to the one-off costs of selling, buying anf kitting out a new boat. And anyway Starlight's are lovely boats - well built, great sea boats and with good aesthetics.

And for the record I think the previous reference by one of the contributors to this thead to BenBavJen - which I think was intended to be pejorative - is as unkind as it is unjustified.

Peter

 

[tcm]

Re: get rid.

A yacht only becomes uneconomic once you have bought it. However, don't let that stop you - everyone knows that new boats are sparkling spanking new and clean, whereas we only have your word for it that the starlight is in "lovely condition" . It must indeed have been badly and flimsily equipped to need all that new gear. Dump the old heap immediately and buy something new, anyhting.
There, that'll teach you to fish for compliments!

 

[robmurray]

Agree - not fair to knock bavaria et al - amazing value and some good boats. Thats what prompted my question - for the price of my old boat I could buy the 44 footer I went on at the show - makes you think.

You are right that my costs are big one offs - but lots of them!!

 

[robmurray]

Thats is the problem - the only equivalnet is a new Starlight or a Sweden Yachts 390 - both disastrously expensive!

New Dufour 40 very sexy but light and not sure how it would look when 10 years.

 

[robmurray]

I agree - lots of rubbish at second hand show - just not had tlc. Amazes me that people dont look afetr such expensive and beautiful things, new or old!

 

[robmurray]

Thanks to all - 2 days at the boat shows (new and old) and my love affair continues - Im sticking with the Starlight

 

[iangrant]

You said you were pleased with yours in the magazine Tony.
Did you ever get the bits fixed that you didn't mention at the time?
Ian

 

[SloopJohnB]

I’m in a similar position. Got a beautiful Westerly that we both love and which has looked after us well. Bought her before current Bav boom and would probably find her difficult to sell at my asking price cos of cheap Bavs. Now I have nothing against Bavs and really loved the one I chartered in the Med.
I guess that’s life.
Like women, better to stick with what you know and love!

Cheers!