Don't Buy a New Boat!

The admonition in the title of this post may seem strange, coming from a couple of boat fanatics.  But we're also dog lovers and feel pretty strongly that people should adopt dogs from shelters, rather than buy puppies from breeders.  Our logic is the same in both cases: there are already plenty of good dogs and good boats that just need loving owners. 

In our previous post, we discussed the rampant problem of derelict boats in Florida.  It's a complicated, multifaceted problem that has no simple solution.  One thing that could help is if people would stop treating boats like disposable items.  Are we suggesting that instead of buying a new boat you should go and get yourself a long-neglected, derelict boat?  Not necessarily.  It doesn't have to be a derelict, just not a new boat.  But for the right type of person buying a diamond in the rough can be a good value.

A lot of these older boats that are being neglected are well-designed, well-built boats that would have plenty of life left, in the hands of the right owners.  You could easily spend over a half-million dollars on a brand new cruising boat.  On the other hand, you could spend next-to-nothing on a neglected boat and bring it to a decent boatyard for a complete refit or DIY if you have the skills, tools, and time.  If done properly, the results could be a boat that is every bit as good as a new one, for a fraction of the cost.  And there would be one less plastic boat hull in the world.  Besides, old boats are just more beautiful than the soulless, angular barges being built today.  And they often sail better and are more capable offshore, too.    

Right up front, it is important to be able to distinguish a diamond in the rough from a cow pie.  Having to replace the engine or the entire rig would not necessarily be a deal breaker, as long as you knew this from the outset and included these costs in your calculations.  But what is essential is that the hull must be structurally sound.  Nothing else about the boat matters if the hull is irreparably compromised.  Not all boats are worth saving.  Seeking the opinion of a marine surveyor or of a trusted fiberglass repair specialist can prevent problems down the line.  Captain Fatty Goodlander's book How to Inexpensively and Safely Buy, Outfit & Sail a Small Vessel Around the World is a good resource, as is this Practical Boat Owner article giving tips on how prospective buyers should go about inspecting boats.

There are yacht brokers and boatyards that specialize in giving old boats a second life.  Here are few examples:

• Atom Voyages: specializes in outfitting smaller, older boats for offshore sailing.
• Certified Sales, Inc.: buys and sells used boats, including insurance salvages.
• Pacific Seacraft Yachts: Builder of fine yachts.  Because their boats are so well-built and last forever, much of Pacific Seacraft's business has shifted into refitting their older boats. There are a lot of advantages to getting a boat refit by the same company that originally built it. (Full disclosure: Pacific Seacraft built our boat, Fulmar).

You can also find used boats for sale by owner at sites like sailboatlistings.com, Sailing Texas, as well as on Craig's List and Ebay.  And, of course, if you want to go through a yacht broker, there is always Yacht World.  Another strategy is to simply visit marinas and boatyards to search for boats that look like they haven't had much love in a while.  These businesses don't like having such high risk boats taking up space at their facilities.  Often, the yard manager will be quite happy to help you contact the boat's owner to find out if they're interested in selling. 

Here is a beautiful 1974 Cape Dory 28 that we saw in Titusville.  For less than the cost of the average used car, this capable boat can take its new owner just about anywhere in the world (see the listing on YachtWorld).

Be realistic about your finances and your own abilities.  Boats always cost more and take more time and energy than you expect (see this article in Good Old Boat).  The adage is true: "A boat is a hole in the water into which you pour money."  So you're better off with one that is a little too small for your needs than one that is too large or too complicated for your wallet or skills.  And if you are a novice boater, start with a small boat.  You will make mistakes, some of which may be costly.  Better to have these learning experiences on a relatively inexpensive boat.  Costs of storage, maintenance, operating, and repairs increase exponentially with the length of the boat.  And catamarans are exponentially more expensive and more complicated than monohull boats of the same length.  It's also really difficult to find a boatyard or marina that can accommodate catamarans that have a beam wider than 16 feet.     

In the words of Lin and Larry Pardey: "Go small, go simple, go now."

Addendum related to our previous post: In its spring 2023 legislative season, Florida's lawmakers will be considering an addendum to the existing anchoring laws, Florida Senate Bill 1502.  Judging from the locations of the new proposed anchoring restrictions, it seems like NIMBYism is alive and well in the Sunshine State.