When is a boat too old?

[jadkkd]

I am in the process of buying a used J105. I've made an offer on a 1997 J105. The survey came back with moisture in the cockpit. I've pulled out of the deal fearing that an 11 year old boat may be too old. Plus the seller was reluctant to fix the problem. I've sold several boats over the years and most major problems always fell on my lap as the seller. I also feel it's a buyers market. Any reaction? The fix is about $5,000. Almost 10% of the pruchase price.

[CharlieCobra]

My boat is 47 years old. A boat is never too old. 50K for a J-105? I'd buy a nice J-36 for 35K and call it good, unless ya plan to One Design race her.

[tommays]

J24 guy myself 1981 27 years young

There are 3 105s here in the in the 130k range and 3 109s in the 200k range that have been on brokerage all year and show no signs of being sold 50k seems like a bargain





They are all in great condition



Boats that have cores and get raced are going to get beat up and need repairs

The deck work is small change compared to keeping that boat up to date in terms of standing and running rigging and sails


For my big boat racing this year i am on a 1970 C&C 35 and pretty much everything you can think of including a deck recore has been done over the last 20 years BUT the boat is currently in excellent condition at 39 years old

[erps]

A boat is never too old.

Age and condition of boats are not necessarily directly related. I'm on my 5th used boat. I can't afford new boats. I can't afford old boats that cost a lot to fix either. I can afford old boats in decent shape. The four used boats we've sold, we priced them as is and lost a little bit of money on three of the four sales. I don't think most of us buy a boat for the investment. They're a lot of fun, it's all a matter of how much you're willing to pay for those benefits. That is not a one size fits all decision.

[Brodie78]

I'd agree, I think it sounds like a good deal. Fix the core and enjoy the boat. I sail a 43 year old 23' daysailer that is in fine shape and should still be sailing in another 43 years.

[jadkkd]

Actually the price is $75,000. For another $25,000 I can probably get a 2003.

[max-on]

A 1997 J105 for $50K and needs $5k of repairs = a ready to go J105 for $55k, I have not look in a few years but when I was four years ago the 1997 105s were selling for $110s-$130s depending on sails and equipment, even if the boat is stripped out and needs sails, . . .

[dohenyboy]

[blt2ski]

The owner may very well have also priced the boat "knowing" that the issue you found was there! So the boat was priced with the fix discounted already, hence reluctance of the owner to negotiate the fix$$. To me, at $75, plus 5K fix, a boat that is normally selling for 90-125K, not too bad a deal!

Then again, the newer one for 25K would ot be too bad a deal either........what in reality is on that boat the cheaper one does not, other than than the core fix?

By the way, my boat is an 85! No issues with it either. Altho there were a few fix's to do it too.

marty

[jadkkd]

The 2003 has a chartplotter and a stereo. Sails on both boats are relatively new and will work for next seasons one design club racing. The seller and broker(who also works? for me) either didn't know or are doing a good job of pretending they didn't know. My instinct is to let the seller take care if the moisture problem and I'll buy the boat then. It's a long winter in New England! The surveyor did say that for a 1997 the boat is in great shape.