Show Me the Money!!!!!!!!!

bljones · #1 (**permalink**) 01-27-2012

Boat shoppers, lend me your ears.

I love "what kind of boat should I buy?" threads. When it is too cold and the water too solid to sail my own boat, helping somebody else spend their money is always a great pastime. However, as so often happens, while the eager boat buyer is happy to devote sentences to why they want a boat, where they want to go, what kind of gear they want, the most vital, important , game-changing piece of information is neglected:
The budget.

Help us help you. Tell us how much your real budget is when you ask for boat recommendations. If you're on a Budweiser budget, I'll hide the wine list. Conversely, if you're one of the 1%, I won't bother steering you toward 40 year old Catalina 27s.

In fact, make the budget the very first thing you mention in your opening post. And bring it up often throughout the post. Because, at the end of the day, that is the most important deciding factor in the search- the boat you will buy will be a boat you can afford.

Thank you.

benjmin · #2 (**permalink**) 01-27-2012

I had a strict budget back in June when I purchased my boat. I just knew I had it all figured out. Boy was I wrong and now I am broke. And my boat is not in the water yet. Yikes!

aeventyr60 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-27-2012

As important as the budget to buy the boat, is the budget to outfit, maintain and sail said vessel. I could have afforded to buy a much bigger boat. But to do the above, and then go offshore, no way, no how.

As one old salt told me "best you get a smaller boat and have a suitcase of money". How right he was.

minnow1193 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-27-2012

I just recently picked up a '71 Balboa 20' for $300. I am new to sailing, but based on everything i have read here on Sailnet, and after extensive google searches, i have determined that i made a great purchase. She has her issues, but for $300, figured i can't lose. Have over $1000 invested so far including trailer, outboard, and registration. Now that i have her out of the water, going to paint her up, fix some basic rigging issues, then go sailing. Figure she is a good little boat to learn on. Going to be sailing Tampa Bay. I chuckle sometimes and roll my eyes when i read the 'Looking to buy a sailboat and cruise the world' posts. Just go buy a boat, anything really, and learn to sail. Take a couple years, like i am going to, to figure it out, THEN go buy the boat of your dreams (fantasies) and do it. I figure i have two to three months before i actually get to sail, but i never stop thinking about how great it is going to be when i do.

benjmin · #5 (**permalink**) 01-27-2012

Quote:

I chuckle sometimes and roll my eyes when i read the 'Looking to buy a sailboat and cruise the world' posts.

Just you watch give me 5 more years. I will have accomplished just that! I have my boat, go check out the albums in my profile. I am poor and want to live my life on he sea. If I had not jumped in and made the big purchase it may never have happened. Don't frighten dreamers like me away. If the sea is calling you better answer it. Life is short!

aeventyr60 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-28-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by benjmin

Just you watch give me 5 more years. I will have accomplished just that! I have my boat, go check out the albums in my profile. I am poor and want to live my life on he sea. If I had not jumped in and made the big purchase it may never have happened. Don't frighten dreamers like me away. If the sea is calling you better answer it. Life is short!

Good on ya mate!

treilley · #7 (**permalink**) 01-28-2012

And just accept the fact that if you do not have enough money for your dream of unplugging and sailing the world then get a good job and work hard so you will have enough someday.

We are living the dream right now because we took our time and waited until we could afford exactly what we wanted and live debt free.

Minnewaska · #8 (**permalink**) 01-28-2012

Question.... How much does it cost to own a nice boat?

Answer... How much do you have?

Que the music, the trick is to ..... Love the one your with...

CalebD · #9 (**permalink**) 01-28-2012

If you have to ask how much it costs, you can't afford it.
- J. P. Morgan

Purportedly a comment he made when someone asked him how much his 110' yacht cost him that he used to commute to Wall Street and entertain high profile guests.
Still as true today as it was when he said it.

Don't get me wrong. I am a bottom feeder like many of you who wrangle over buying boats that are less then $5K to start with. The purchase price is only the entry fee to the club that has no 'open bar'. There are fewer and fewer places and ways to keep a boat that remotely qualify as cheap.

Dreams are good but do your homework and let us know what your budget is.

The best boat to own and cross oceans in is Swan, or the boat you happen to own that is not a Swan.

Another truism.
The best way to make a small fortune is to start with a large fortune and buy a boat.

benjmin · #10 (**permalink**) 01-28-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalebD

The best boat to own and cross oceans in is Swan, or the boat you happen to own that is not a Swan.

My boat hull was inspired by the Sparkman & Stephens Swan. I hope it gets me to Easter island and to Hawaii someday.