multihull maintenance costs?

[exitstrategy1972]

apologize if this is the incorrect sub-forum.

I keep window shopping for a big cat to go sail around the world in.

for example lagoons...

I see a bunch of lagoons in the $400k to $700k range for used boats between 1990 and 2009 ranging of course from large to small depending on the year.

What sort of general thumbs should I keep in mind when it comes to annual costs for a cat like a lagoon? 10% per year? So budget $50k a year? If I find a bout < 4 years old will I get the sweet spot in terms of depreciating vs new costs?

Or should I go for all the way a 10-12 year old boat such an older 57? Will be sailing with 5 people: 2 boys, mom+dad and a healthy grandma.

I keep reading to stay away from the charter boats, but it seems to me that I would like the 5 berths that a charter boat comes with as opposed to the owner versions.

Do I assume that an ex-charter boat just has fried engines, sails & rigging? I know each boat is different and it has to be surveyed, but I have some important day dreaming to do between now and 2013!

Many cheers,
-ExitStrategy1972

[Minnewaska]

Most charter boats will be fairly young, but will have aged beyond their years. That doesn't mean you can't find an acceptable one, particularly if you plan to upgrade most systems for a world tour anyway. I do not think you will find a former charter boat that is remotely equipped for a world tour.

The bottom line when buying a charter is that many people just don't treat rented property like they would their own. You could come up on the lucky end of the draw, you could find that systems good enough to pass the survey have been abused and fail prematurely.

[exitstrategy1972]

Thank you Minnewaska,

So the ideal boat would then be a single owner where the owner sailed lightly then 3-4 years later decided to upgrade to something even nicer & larger...

For a boat like that what would be a rule of thumb for yearly upkeep? 10% 25%? Just looking for a rule of thumb...

-Exit