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Post by slacker 🐨 on Apr 21, 2023 12:03:54 GMT -5
I've been a serious sailor since the mid-80's. Other than working full time, I spent almost all my time for years either training, sailing, working on sailboats or reading about sailing and racing sailboats. I was into it hard core and competed nationally.
I have two brothers in law, one who moved to Texas and got into sailing. He took lessons and training and he's now licensed to captain a bareboat vessel. I haven't sailed with him, but he's into to it and has worked to become knowledgeable.
His older brother went down to visit, they went sailing, and older brother is now into sailing too. All good so far. Then, a few days ago, my wife sends me an ad for a sailboat online. It's at a marina that's a 5 hour drive away. Confused, I asked her what that was about. Turns out older brother just bought it spur of the moment. I looked at the ad, which was pretty sparse, and there's really not much info. So I ask wife if he went and looked at it. Yup, he drove up and checked it out. I ask about condition of the hull, engine, rigging, hardware, sails etc. He doesn't really know other than just walking around it and looking at it. It's in dry dock for winter storage. Never checked the rigging, never checked the sails, never had anyone check out the engine....nothing.
I think he's crazy to drop $30,000 on a 45 year old boat with almost no research or inspection. Plus, it amazes me that he didn't ask me....a seasoned sailing veteran, to come along and take a look.
Am I crazy to think he's a wee bit rash in this?
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Post by Leftee on Apr 21, 2023 12:05:24 GMT -5
Way rash!
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Post by RufusTeleStrat on Apr 21, 2023 12:52:52 GMT -5
Any family member of mine who goes and gets a car, new or used without me gets this same reaction. I was in that business for 10 years, worked up from lowly meet and greet, to assistant general manager. I love going in and just saying no. No. Not that no. Nope. This is what the offer is, take it.
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Post by slacker 🐨 on Apr 21, 2023 13:27:04 GMT -5
I just know that, when it comes to boats in general, especially older boats, that there are so many things that cause issues. Delaminated fiberglass, engine issues, control issues, etc. Plus there's the electrical stuff from lights to navigation systems.
Large sailboats have all that and more. The standing and running rigging. The keel, mast step, etc can have structural issues. Sails on a boat that size cost thousands and crappy sails suck. Even worse if they have rips and such rendering them unusable. The boat he bought is old and there weren't a ton of them made. Odds are he's going to have to have custom made sails if/when he needs them.
I don't think he even looked into the annual maintenance/storage costs. He literally first sailed last October and only for the short duration he visited his brother in Texas.
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Post by tahitijack on Apr 21, 2023 14:43:57 GMT -5
Isn't a boat a vessel in the water you throw money into?
Two happiest days of your life 1. The day you buy a boat 2. The day you sell a boat.
Yeah I'm here all week, don't forget to tip your waiter or waitress and my personal tip..the Chicken dinner is to die for.
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Post by HeavyDuty on Apr 21, 2023 19:46:02 GMT -5
Slacker, is it too late to strongly suggest he have it surveyed?
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Post by Lesterstrat on Apr 21, 2023 20:24:16 GMT -5
I know almost nothing about sailing, but I have been around and owned boats for over 40 years. After reading your post with my very experienced boating eyes, I have but one thought at the forefront of my mind.
“A fool and his money are soon parted.”
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Post by slacker 🐨 on Apr 22, 2023 9:12:38 GMT -5
Slacker, is it too late to strongly suggest he have it surveyed? Not sure where he is on the process. I didn't he even knows about that... |
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Post by rdr on Apr 22, 2023 9:15:14 GMT -5
I recall my Dad saying "more money than brains".
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Post by slacker 🐨 on Apr 24, 2023 9:25:10 GMT -5
OK, so I talked to him in detail yesterday. He's done more research than I'd expected on this. He has a survey scheduled and has researched the designer, builder and model info for the boat he's buying. He knows the costs, what harbor he's getting a slip for it, about the annual costs for winter storage and such too.
I am shocked that he's done as much as he has, but did not ask to see the sails. He doesn't even know exactly what he's getting for sails other than at least one jib and one main.
Oh well, it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out. I'm sure I'll get up there to see it at some point this summer.
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Post by Lesterstrat on Apr 24, 2023 20:12:39 GMT -5
OK, so I talked to him in detail yesterday. He's done more research than I'd expected on this. He has a survey scheduled and has researched the designer, builder and model info for the boat he's buying. He knows the costs, what harbor he's getting a slip for it, about the annual costs for winter storage and such too. I am shocked that he's done as much as he has, but did not ask to see the sails. He doesn't even know exactly what he's getting for sails other than at least one jib and one main. Oh well, it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out. I'm sure I'll get up there to see it at some point this summer. Oh my, I hope he didn't count his jibs and mains before they hatched! On a funny (IMO) side note, one of my good friends when we lived in Florida had a 35, or 45 (I don't recall for sure) foot sail boat. Point being, it was a decent size boat. Him and his wife invited me and Mrs. L and another couple out for some sailing and then to watch fireworks from the water that night. As I've mentioned many times, I have extensive boating experience but, before this trip, had never been on a sailboat I really didn't know what to expect. We all had fun, but dang I felt soreness in muscles I didn't know I had the next day. I told my friend "Phil, I swear the next time you come fishing with me on my boat, we're not going to run the motor at all. Your arse is going to paddle the boat everywhere we go!". lol |
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Post by slacker 🐨 on Apr 25, 2023 6:46:47 GMT -5
OK, so I talked to him in detail yesterday. He's done more research than I'd expected on this. He has a survey scheduled and has researched the designer, builder and model info for the boat he's buying. He knows the costs, what harbor he's getting a slip for it, about the annual costs for winter storage and such too. I am shocked that he's done as much as he has, but did not ask to see the sails. He doesn't even know exactly what he's getting for sails other than at least one jib and one main. Oh well, it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out. I'm sure I'll get up there to see it at some point this summer. Oh my, I hope he didn't count his jibs and mains before they hatched! On a funny (IMO) side note, one of my good friends when we lived in Florida had a 35, or 45 (I don't recall for sure) foot sail boat. Point being, it was a decent size boat. Him and his wife invited me and Mrs. L and another couple out for some sailing and then to watch fireworks from the water that night. As I've mentioned many times, I have extensive boating experience but, before this trip, had never been on a sailboat I really didn't know what to expect. We all had fun, but dang I felt soreness in muscles I didn't know I had the next day. I told my friend "Phil, I swear the next time you come fishing with me on my boat, we're not going to run the motor at all. Your arse is going to paddle the boat everywhere we go!". lol Try sailing in a small (non-weeble) boat sometime. Not only do you use muscles you've never used before, you also get banged around a bit in the process. Bruises from knocking your shins on the board trunk. Ankles rubbed raw from the hiking straps. Bruised cheek from getting elbowed by your crew when they're hauling in the main while rounding a leeward mark. It's a blast, but you look like you've been abused the next day with all manner of bruises, cuts, scrapes, etc that you have no idea how they happened. |
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