Buying a Sailboat from the Great Lakes

[JuanCarlosPelayo]

I would appreciate commentary on buying a sailboat (Pacific Seacraft 37)currently located in the Great Lakes, as far the effect(s) of freshwater/freezing weather on the longevity of fiberglass, teak, stainless steel, electronics, etc... versus sailboats from temperate climates.

Thank you for your thoughts.
Gaucho47

[Bart Toby]

Gaucho47

Freeze thaw period can be tought on a fresh water boat; when water enters areas that were not designed to be wet.
ie.: under deck fittings which have loosen, under normal use over time. This allows a little water to enter during the summer and then expanding over the winters. If gone un-notice, which is fairly normal, this cycle repeats it self year after year until it is to late.

When walking on a deck and one notices deflection or see brown water stains on the under side of the deck this boat is in need of a deck repair.

as for other areas of the boat on the plus side for "fresh water", I would think the be.
engine,
Electrical,
rigging, standing and running.

negitive side of fresh water,
decks,
teak,
poorly supported hull''s while in cradle,

hope this helps

Bart

[h37skipper]

Main advantage is that a 1993 boat is only five years old. This assumes that the boat was properly cared for during the winter months. Lots of anti-freeze in all the right places for example. My 1979 Hunter topsides still look good after that first coat of wax in the Spring. The engine has relatively low hours and the stainless rigging looks like new. But a good survey should make all of this obvious.

[pehrst]

I purchased a 33'' X-Yacht in 1998 and moved it to MA. Buying a freshwater boat has some advantages providing that it''s maintained properly.

1). If the engine is raw water cooled, then there is far less corrosion in the cooling/exhaust systems.

2). Saltwater boats ususally suffers from a greater degree of corrosion of all metal surfaces. The standing rigging, the mast and boom, lifelines & turnbuckles.

3). Most Great lakes boats are only in the water for 4 - 5 months a year vs. 12 months for a Florida boat for example. Far less wear/tear.

As a result, BUC usually puts the value on a Great Lakes boat 20% higher than the value of a year round saltwater boat.

Best of luck.