Where else can you find boats for sale.

Sailmachine · #1 (**permalink**) 08-31-2009

So far I have only looked online for boats for sale. But should I be looking else where? I have a feeling that the good finds are not online but either from word of mouth or just stumbling across it. Should I drive around marinas looking for boats in the back. I know of at least one at a storage yard that has been there for a long, long time. Or is looking at boat that have been on the hard for awhile a bad idea.

cruisingdream · #2 (**permalink**) 08-31-2009

If a boat is being used regularly then it is usually being maintained , Sitting on the hard a long time (years) usually means neglect and sometimes neglect prior to being put on the hard (that is why it is there)
But go look around sometimes there is a nice one that just needs a good cleaning & bottom paint
good luck

mitiempo · #3 (**permalink**) 08-31-2009

Sailmachine
You don't say where you are or what you're looking for. If you're in a major coastal centre there must be many nearby marinas and boatyards as well as brokerages. If I were you I'd make sure I knew what's for sale locally in the type of boat I was looking for. Even when driving the streets you sometimes find a boat in someones yard that's available. For example in Victoria I know where a Vega 27 is in a yard next to a house. It's been there at least 2 years and appears clean, the cockpit is covered with a tarp and the mast is on deck. I'm not looking but if I was I'd knock on their door and ask if they're interested in selling. When talking to anyone around the marinas it never hurts to ask if there are any boats for sale nearby. If the marinas don't have security gates just wander the docks looking for boats for sale. Good luck.
Brian

e-27 sailor · #4 (**permalink**) 08-31-2009

Here's another approach that I used successfully. Identify 3 or 4 boat types that really interest you, and then find out everything you can about each one; e-mail the class president/class members, ask this website, build folders on each, etc. Then find owners in your area that own one and ask to look at their boat, which usually gets an offer to go sailing. Buy the guy lunch or dinner, and ask the guy if he knows of any boats like his for sale. He might decide that his boat is suddenly for sale. If you hit it hard, you'll have a couple to choose from, and then a lot sleepless nights ahead of you trying to decide which boat to buy. And then a lot more sleepless nights.....

rikhall · #5 (**permalink**) 08-31-2009

There are also lots of free boat magazines:

49 North
Spinsheet

Look at Uncle Henry's online
look at eBay and Kijiji and Craig's list

Look at every Yacht CLub web site within 200 miles of where you live

The options are endless.

In what area do you live?

Rik

thesnort · #6 (**permalink**) 08-31-2009

Just to add to what e-27 said...Check out forums online of the type(s) of boat that interests you and look for the classifieds or a post by someone selling their boat. There will be less competition from other buyers before the owner goes to yachtworld and/or craigslist.

Sailmachine · #7 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009

I am in Wilmington NC. I am looking for a liveaboard with bluewater potential. I say potential because I really have no plans of setting sail around the world anytime soon. But I would like to keep the option open. 35-40 ft I think is the size I am looking for. 40 ft slips are pretty easy to come by. Most use would be short weekend sails. I also enjoy working on boats. So I would like to find a bit of a fix it upper. As my screen name may imply I own a machine shop and can make parts easily. A place to work on it may be the bigger problem. Also I wasn't planing to doing anything until next year. But I want to see whats out there.