Scenario

[bestfriend]

Originally Posted by uspirate

If this is the case, maybe sailing isnt for that person. sailing isnt just a sport or hobby or an addiction (which it can be all three) but it's a state of mind where you find peace, tranquility and drink alot of beer. just my .02

I have to agree with you there. Its not something to jump into lightly. I have known as far back as I can remember that I was destined to spend a lot of time in or on the water.

[therapy23]

Originally Posted by chris_gee

which is why certain spots are known purchase points.
.

Is there a way to easily look at those "points" and see what boats are a vailable?
Or is it just sort of a portion of a continent, like say Eastern Australia?

[chris_gee]

It depends where you are. Boats would tend to arrive in NZ or Eastern Australia in November. The catch is that a fairly hefty duty and tax is applied if the boat is sold. This may not matter to a local but to say an American they would be looking at a way to avoid it ie before tax was paid. It is also a long way for a look see and the choices are limited.
Other points are on the Atlantic route to the Caribbean, but european boats would have VAT and a currency, unless tax had not been paid, or it could be reclaimed as having been exported which I doubt, but may be possible. I guess that would be Jan-May when the return journey looks daunting.
I guess Mexico in Dec Jan is another place. While some might be on the internet I suspect those on the spot might do best, by finding a couple having a marital about continuing on.

[camaraderie]

Therapy...Miami/Ft.Lauderdale is a big one. Trinidad and the BVI's are another. SanDiego, Hawaii are two other broken dreams ports and you can search by region on yachtworld.

[deniseO30]

With this post... Hmmm...

to be thought provoking?

Well, I wanted to see if that type of situation really is as true as I thought it might be. I'd say that is a hands down TRUE!

The reality and morality of boat sales. The pitfalls and rewards can be exstream. I'd say is a definite yes!

My situation was this: I was so much on guard about getting in over my head that instead of 30 - 35 ft boat as my first boat. I bought a little hunter 23 which was a nice boat but not what wanted. I bought the Hunter anyway because I was learning to sail and listened to others saying "smaller is better for your first boat."

I sort of continued looking at boats for sale online and where ever I happend to see them. cked with my bank... got a "yes" for up to 35K! (that really made me afraid to getting in too deep! ) Found a Lippincott 30, pretty boat! 18k, coulda had it for 14 I'm sure. Looked at a Pearson 323, 24k nice boat.. but the "broker" didn't have a clue how long they even had it, where the sails were, etc. Looked at others.. not worth mentioning.

I found the 1982 Oday 30 I now own. 15k The PO was antsy to sell because he needed to get his other boat in the water. Sold the Hunter the same week! (good omen from the sailing gods?) The quick haul, power wash, and survey were all good reports. really enjoyed the sea trial. "Lots of TLC" but nothing major. ( I knew that!)

The hindsight of what I "coulda, shoulda, woulda" done if I were less worried about getting ripped off kinda still haunts me. The money I spent for the Hunter "coulda" went towards a newer boat. A newer boat "woulda" had less problems. (not always true I know) I "shoulda" went for a 30 -35 ft boat as my first.

[dave6330]

Just a question: If one is contemplating doing some long term coastal cruising as part of their retirement dream, what would be wrong with trying to acquire a mid-sized full-keel boat ILO thier current performance cruiser? I'm thinking that something like an IP350 or 370 would be just about a perfect ballance between "blue water" stability and tankage and the level of comfort in port or on the hook that will make life more enjoyable. Like a lot of folks, I have dreams of making a crossing to exotic ports, but I'm realistic enough to know that I'll probably be slipping down the coast instead. There are more than enough places to go and things to see without crossing an ocean, I suspect. Who knows, maybe I'm one of those unrealistic dreamers that will end up selling out eventually, but for now, let me dream.

[bestfriend]

I would say you did it the right way, Denise. Or at least a more rational way. I thought otherwise about my situation, was trying to fit too many variables and "what ifs" into my first major purchase. I still don't really know what my sailing goal is, but I do know that I would have been better off with something a little smaller, and paid in full, for the time being, until I figured it out. I consider myself lucky that I bought a good boat.