Two almost identicle boats..which one do you choose?

[Nostrodamus]

This is something I came across whilst looking for a boat.

You find two identical boats probably built next to each other both about 10 years old.

The first boat is immaculate, has all the original fittings and looks like it has never been used.

The second boat is also in good condition although very slightly more worn than the first. It has recently had new winches, new rigging, new engine, and various other parts renewed.

The second boat is slightly more expensive than the first, probably due to the extensive re fit.

Which boat would you choose and why?

 

[nimbusgb]

New engine 5k upwards, new winches 2k, new rig 3k

Worn varnish gives some character.

I'd go for #2 on the strength of what you have said

 

[Sybarite]

New engine 5k upwards, new winches 2k, new rig 3k

Worn varnish gives some character.

I'd go for #2 on the strength of what you have said

A new engine on a 45' boat (like Nostrodamus) would be more like £15k - £20k.

 

[jonic]

2nd one very time

 

[photodog]

I would get a decent survey done.

Then I would make a decision.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

Based on this info, the 2nd one. Unless of course you're a boat collector and want to put it in a museum and never use it. Then no. 1.

 

[ukmctc]

A new engine on a 45' boat (like Nostrodamus) would be more like £15k - £20k.

When ever you want an engine let me know.......what a profit, these are the boaties I like.

 

[ukmctc]

This is something I came across whilst looking for a boat.

You find two identical boats probably built next to each other both about 10 years old.

The first boat is immaculate, has all the original fittings and looks like it has never been used.

The second boat is also in good condition although very slightly more worn than the first. It has recently had new winches, new rigging, new engine, and various other parts renewed.

The second boat is slightly more expensive than the first, probably due to the extensive re fit.

Which boat would you choose and why?

Buy both and sell the used one at a much higher price due to the cost of the engine and parts to someone else, thus paying for the unused one.

Simples....

 

[jwilson]

This is something I came across whilst looking for a boat.

You find two identical boats probably built next to each other both about 10 years old.

The first boat is immaculate, has all the original fittings and looks like it has never been used.

The second boat is also in good condition although very slightly more worn than the first. It has recently had new winches, new rigging, new engine, and various other parts renewed.

The second boat is slightly more expensive than the first, probably due to the extensive re fit.

Which boat would you choose and why?

I would look VERY closely at the refitted one: whilst the new engine and rigging are definite plusses, the type of heavy usage (charter?) that caused all the replacements might have caused a few more less obvious problems.

Inevitably both in private ownership mid-cruise, and charter boats (in the few hours between charters), get temporary bodgish repairs done. Fine if at the next layup the jobs get redone properly. Not fine if they gets forgotten or ignored.

Overall I would agree with the refitted one, but look very carefully. For example if the new winches were bigger-sized upgrades thn fine, but if the same size as originally fitted just how much use has the boat had to wear out winches in ten years. Most forty year old boats have the original winches still in reasonable order.

 

[doug748]

First one for me.

The only iffy thing could be the engine, but I doubt it if it looks right and has been maintained.

 

[chinita]

No question.

The one SWMBO likes.

 

[Twister_Ken]

I'd go for the one that has been regularly used.

On used boats, things wear out and are replaced.

On un-used boats things corrode or seize, but no-one notices until a new owner comes along with a cheque book.

 

[electrosys]

First one for me.

The only iffy thing could be the engine, but I doubt it if it looks right and has been maintained.

I'd also go for the first one (providing the engine passes a basic check), for one simple reason: the second boat suggests that it's been worked hard, and maybe thrashed; ok, many key parts have been replaced - but how much more stuff will also need replacing on closer inspection ?

It's no different with cars: which one would you choose - a ten year-old car with 40k on the clock, always garaged, one careful lady owner who has only used it for shopping and holidays ... or an 'identical' one which has been around the clock, new gearbox, new clutch, new brakes ... with "bills to prove" ? I know which one I'd go for.

 

[Tranona]

When ever you want an engine let me know.......what a profit, these are the boaties I like.

Quite easy to run up a bill of £15k for an engine replacement on an Oyster 45 (boat under discussion). 65hp engine and transmission is well over £10k plus labour and all the other bits that need replacing while you are doing the job. Boring things like new feathering prop £2.5k, new exhaust sytem £500 and so on. Of course there are ways of saving money, but would you skimp on a boat worth close on £250k?

 

[nimbusgb]

I would get a decent survey done.

Then I would make a decision.

Two surveys! That's at least £1k you've dropped!

oops just read that they're £250k Oysters .... ok so that's 2k you've dropped


On the subject of hard worked charter vessels ....

I'm not sure that charter companies would spend a mint on a hard worked boat in order to sell it. My experience is that anyone ( car hire, safety equipment, boats, planes ) in the position just sells off for a low price to get them off the books. When you look at a hard worked charter boat you usually get to see it warts and all!

 

[Koeketiene]

A new engine on a 45' boat (like Nostrodamus) would be more like £15k - £20k.

Where have you been getting your quotes?
Two years ago, re-engined Guapa (44') for 6.6K

 

[SailorBill]

Two surveys! That's at least £1k you've dropped!

oops just read that they're £250k Oysters .... ok so that's 2k you've dropped

On the other hand those two surveys would help you make an informed decision and remove any "what if I'd bought the other boat" doubts.

 

[Trop Cher]

I still don't understand why a ten year old would need a new engine. I'd be asking questions.

 

[Fantasie 19]

I'd go for the one that has been regularly used.

On used boats, things wear out and are replaced.

On un-used boats things corrode or seize, but no-one notices until a new owner comes along with a cheque book.

+1

 

[Nostrodamus]

Thank you for replies all of which are intresting and I concidered all thepoints when looking.

1) Boat 1 looked good, as if it had never been used and immaculatly maintained by the owner. The engine hours were low and with an interior of teak the swmbo fell in love.
2) The second boat also looked in excellent conditions for the age but did have signs that it had been used more. All of these minor points could be easily rectified. A new bigger engine had been fitted along with other points I mentioned. (normal Oyster 45 engine is volvo 59 hp). The interior was in american light oak which looked good but not quiet as good as the first boat according to swmbo.

So a choice between two, one which looked good and one with all new parts (80,000) worth to be precise with all the work that had been done.

It was a difficult choice and really I did not want to be paying for 2 surveys when I would only be buying one boat.

I had to pick one to survey first so I looked at them both again for a long time. In the end something really small and stupid that I found changed my whole way of thinking.

more later