What to buy!

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Fyfield7

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New to the forum - hello all. Mission control and I have decided to take the plunge and buy, having chartered yachts for too long. We are a family of 4, but would like the space to invite the odd couple along - so looking 35 to 38ft second hand (circa 70K). No serious passage work anticipated (Channel, possibly Med). From initial study, the options vary from the latter day white hulls to Westerly's (Regatta 37 or Oceanranger) and older Dehlers. I am quite concerned with depreciation, and although the older boats may not depreciate as fast, the upkeep could be more.

I have been around the circle many times, finally deciding to see if anyone has had practical experience of a similar dilemma. Any thoughts? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif <span style="color:black"> </span>
 
It's one hell of a dilemma. I think it's best to use your experience, think about the best bits of boats your previously sailed, make a list then add any specifics that you feel important about the construction, accommodation, sail plan and design.

You can then apply your requirements to boats on the market.

You say that no serious passage work is planned, I assume that referred to the boats storage and not it's sea keeping.
Bear in mind that you can get into as much trouble 10 miles offshore and in mid-Atlantic.

When buying 2nd hand you'll need at least 10% of your budget set aside for survey, refitting, repairs, replacement of safety equipment, insurance, marina or mooring fees.
The list is almost endless. Don't be in a hurry and view as many boats as possible.
One things for sure, owning a boat is a good way of disposing of any surplice
 
For safe, solid boats that are good for a family it is worth looking at the Moody Range from the early to mid 90's. For your budget you would be able to get a 346 (35ft) or the later 35. These are centre cockpit boats with spacious aft cabins that will offer a little bit of privacy/seperation from the kids on longer voyages.

Moody 346
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Moody 35
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You might even find your budget stretches to a 376, which is the larger 38ft version of the above. Adds a bit more room and a navigators quater berth which can be useful for occasional additional crew.
 
In a similar position, but with liveaboard requirements... I bought a 1994 Moody 44 after sailing her to Madeira and back.

The quality is excellent and I have only spent money on improvements rather than repairs.

So my vote goes to the best/biggest Moody for your money.
 
Many thanks for the quick replies. I intend to wait until the season is over, as you suggest, Ken. I do like the Moody's, Jez, but had considered the 376 out of my bracket - but you never know! Thanks for the advice, Brian. I realise that I am opening up the biggest black hole my Bank Manager has seen for a while. In terms of passag work, I meant no trans-ocean ....although I have been that man 10 miles off shore!

No easy answer, I can see, but food for thought - thank you.
 
No Ken, not so, he should go and look now. There may well be boats on the market that have been around for a while, for no reason other than that the summer months are traditionally quiet for boat sales.

Our buyer may well pick up a bargain, from someone who wants to sell so that they can buy new at the coming SIBS.
 
Cher M Etapowner.

Whilst being an enthusiastic supporter of bargain hunting, trouble with buying at the end of the season is that your first six months of ownership (and costs) are spent not sailing (or not sailing very much). Alright if you're buying something that needs six months of spit, polish, repairs, drying out, sails making, revarnishing and diesel engineering, but a bit of a bummer if it's nice and shiny and ready to go.
 
The problem with asking on here is that there are only 1000 unbias regular posters and as they are so unbiased they NEVER recommend the boat they chose for themselves!! Get real!!

I suggest you tease out peoples actual experiences, don't be in a rush. Look round a few new ones at SIB then look at the 2nd hand shows, then as Twister Ken suggests ask more specific questions.

There is no right boat, every boat is a compromise and sucess is sorting your own particular priorities and finding the boat that bests meets them.

Budget is a major factor and whether you have the ability to do your own repairs/mods another and thats before you consider any particular type or make of boat.

Like cars there are Friday boats. Our introduction to Moody's was a new 42'? one at Gibraltar where the owner was in dispute with Moody's as his Gel coat was crazing. As a make though they are well thought of and seem to hold their price better than many.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The problem with asking on here is that there are only 1000 unbias regular posters and as they are so unbiased they NEVER recommend the boat they chose for themselves!! Get real!!

I suggest you tease out peoples actual experiences, don't be in a rush.

Like cars there are Friday boats. Our introduction to Moody's was a new 42'? one at Gibraltar where the owner was in dispute with Moody's as his Gel coat was crazing. As a make though they are well thought of and seem to hold their price better than many.

[/ QUOTE ]

On experience of the boat.... Before buying Rogue, I had sailed on her to Madeira and back, gone to 3 boatshows, and looked for 3 years on ybw.com.

I would have liked a Halberg Rassy or nauticat, (but not as old as 1986), but couldnt afford them. I also might have preferred the larger cockpits of some newer boats, but it's always a compromise.

Experience so far is that Rogue is a good sail, (not the best), easy to handle, and well laid out for living aboard. Fin keel might make for a better sail, but I preferred the shallower draft. As to build quality - everything is much more solid than on the newer AWB's, and it's hard to believe that she is 12 years old.

On friday models.... presumably if you buy a 10/15 year old boat, the "fridayness" will have been sorted i.e. WYSIWYG, rather than "what you get is what the builder provides"... I think that makes sense <g>

Cheers

Richard
 
Yup. All makes good sense - thanks chaps. Can't buy this summer for various reasons, but the Winter should be fun discovering exactly what I have let myself in for. Having only really sailed fairly light displacement before, I am arranging a drive of a heavier boat for a week or so. The circle goes on.......
 
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