How much does it REALLY cost to own a sailboat?

[bestfriend]

Thats a good point. In this market, you should under bid by a lot. You never know who wants to just get rid of it. If he says no and does not come back with a counter, you are way off base. In this market I would bid at least 25% under. "Blue book" value is useless right now. Anyway, its always about what people will take, not what the book says. If he says no, keep looking. You will have a year or two here to find some good deals on some good boats. From just talking to a broker friend, good boats under 50k are still going quick, especially Catalinas (people want the most popular name for easy resell). The best deals are the production boats over 100k that people thought they could afford but realized they can't, and the more limited, lessor known production boats that are fully outfitted and the owner is moving on.

As for what its going to cost you. Take the number you think, and add 50%. Seriously. Especially in the first year. The other thing to consider is that if you have a house, a boat will make it like you own two houses. Its a lot of continuous work to stay on top of.

Best of luck to you. Even though my response is a bit discouraging, I still love sailing.

[AntiguaRum]

Hey Delirious! I loved your post from yesterday. As my wife says, "It's only REALLY funny if there's truth to it!".

Maybe I don't know the lingo. I'm in line for a slip at a public marina (Bellingham, WA) and plan to sail the San Juan and Gulf Islands. So the slip fee should be a set cost.

BarryL,
My mistake on the $277 a month, that's 1/3. I was hoping to find 2 partners for the boat. Seems the general consensus is that successful partnerships are rare.

Eric

[Allanbc]

Just sell you soul and be done with it!

[Bene505]

I noticed on a rate sheet the other day that marinas with service winches (not wenches). How often do windlases need to be serviced? Is this something that I can do myself, or is it too complicated.

Same question for winches.

[zz4gta]

Originally Posted by Bene505

I noticed on a rate sheet the other day that marinas with service winches (not wenches). How often do windlases need to be serviced? Is this something that I can do myself, or is it too complicated.

Same question for winches.

Winches are easy. I did all 4 of mine in a couple evenings after work. Never did a windlass.

On the expense topic? Boating is as expensive as you want it to be. Lets face it, bare bones, you can sail pretty cheap. But most people like heat, hot water, a nice galley, microwave, flat screen TV, autopilot, lazyjacks, GPS, furler, etc. And then bitch and moan about the cost of maintenance. A little hint, its not the maintenance that's expensive. Sure, it costs some dough to keep a boat in good condition, but no one told you to buy the wizbang, stainless steel BBQ with the kegorator tap accessory.

[GrampianCT]

my boat:

Grampian 26.
cost $3500
Outboard $3000 (Honda 9.9 with power everything)
Setup cost $1000 (lifejackets, safety equipment, rewiring)
New Bacon Sail $750
Winter haul/wash/store/launch $1300
Outboard maintenance $100
Mooring for boat... priceless (thanks Grandma)

So, about $8000 to fully get 'into the boat'
about $2000 per year to use it...

This is a 1971 boat...its exactly what I wanted to learn on, but completely out of scale for what you are talking about... btw, my father got all upity.. he bought himself a new fangled O'Day sailboat..1973..just showing off his big bucks on a new boat

[sailingdog]

Well, if you buy the wrong boat—it can cost way, way too much.

[Delirious]

Originally Posted by Bene505

I noticed on a rate sheet the other day that marinas with service winches (not wenches). How often do windlases need to be serviced? Is this something that I can do myself, or is it too complicated.

Same question for winches.

I'm a sweetwater sailor and winches need to be serviced about every 15 years. ;-)

For the "real world" a copir paper box lid with a hole cut to fit snugly over the winch base (to catch the springs, pawls and clips) and a jar of Lanocote and it's not a bad annual process.

The windlass? Electric or mechanical? Maxwells go a few years (I never serviced mine on the C34MkII as I couldn't get to the darned thing). In a salt environment I imagine it's an annual inspection if not active maintenance.

[MtnMike]

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Sales tax when you buy the boat?
Annual Personal Property tax?

What can be done to minumize these cost? We are looking at boats in the Florida area and Florida gives you 90 days to leave the state with the boat, therefore avoiding paying sales tax in Florida. As we are leaving Colorado to go sailing, we are essencially stateless as far as residency. Are there any east coast states that are better than others to establish residency in that don't charge sales tax or Personal Property tax?

Mike

[Delirious]

New Hampshire.

Though states without sales tax generally have a personal property tax. There is no tax free state of Utopia as yet.

Own up to it. There's a reason you pay sales or peoperty tax.

Don't be a leech on society.