Looking for a Boat Ad

davidpm · #1 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009

I have been sharing a boat for the last three years but sadly my partner is selling this fall so I have been shopping the last month or so.
It occurred to me that with the economy and such maybe I should look for another partner. Boat sharing has obvious downsides but it has worked for many.

If this ad violates any SailNet policy the moderators are free to delete of course but perhaps it is allowed because I am offering to pay rather than the classifieds where they are selling.

I would like to pay some of your sailboat expenses in exchange for the privilege of time-sharing your boat. I have a full shop, many tools and I am expecting to contribute both cash and time toward the upkeep of your boat. I am an experienced sailor that has been active on SailNet for several years, and has owned shared and chartered. I have been running my own business for over 20 years and have several responsible employees so I have the flexibility of taking an afternoon off for sailing. I will take excellent care of any boat I have the privilege of sailing. My ideal sailboat would be between 27' to 40' and located within commuting distance of Madison, CT just north of New Haven.
I have a very flexible schedule, skills and tools and a shop for boat maintenance and I am interested in any arrangement that will work for you.
My cell phone is 203-605-8801

JohnRPollard · #2 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009

David,

I see no problem with this approach. My only question is whether you might want to place this thread in the Boat Review and Purchase forum? If so, I'd be happy to move it for you. But if you want to leave it here for some reason, it's up to you.

Man, I wish you lived near Annapolis!!

Lookin4Freedom · #3 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009

Brilliant idea - good luck on finding a partner. I never thought to simply approach someone who already had a boat. Normally I see folks trying to actively recruit a partner(s) with set buyins, etc. I guess I would only caution that someone who is willing to timeshare his boat and expenses (in this unplanned way) is likely to not have a well kept boat. In other words, be selective. No matter how bad you want to sail :-)

davidpm · #4 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm still looking and may buy but frankly I think it would be more fun to share a boat. I know that the last three years were more interesting because of my boat buddy.

Now as for moving to Annapolis, that sounds like a great idea. I got to Annapolis twice this summer and it was great.
I notice that the sailing is a little tame though. John if you were to leave your boat in Westbrook for a month or so you could experience the LI Sound, pop on over to Block Island and points north. Your getting a little board with that big bathtub arent you. Not even any rocks.

It only takes about three days to move the boat it's a fun trip.

CalebD · #5 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009

David,
There is also a Yahoo group called ShareAShip. Unfortunately they only have 85 members and many of them are on the left coast. Your 'advert' will be seen by many more folks here though.
FWIW, I will attest to the fact that David is an easy going person and a very knowlegeable, capable and careful sailor. He would be an asset to any boat partnership.
I would not call the Chessy 'tame', more flat and thin. Flat land masses all around so you can run aground over 1 mile from shore, thin as in shallow. When the wind blows strong enough it can get more then bumpy.
My best.

davidpm · #6 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009

Thanks for the kind words Caleb

I just talked to a guy tonite that answered my Craig's list ad. Not exactly what I was looking for but interesting.
This is someone who's only experience sailing is a sunfish once about 20 years ago.
Was up visiting in Block Island this summer and saw all the boats and figured it would be fun.
He wanted to know if a sloop was some kind of keel.
I was expecting a guy who had a boat and was a little squeezed and thought a couple thou toward the slip and and a boat boy to do some of the dirty work would be worth the hassle, not a total greeny.

So anyway we are supposed to go boat shopping together next sat.
I hope I know what I'm doing but everyone has to start somewhere.

CalebD · #7 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009

You are welcome David. I do believe you would be an asset to anyone already owning a boat, as a new partner.
I saw your craigslist ad BTW. I already have a boat partner and I am sticking with that arrangement for now.
The few listings I liked on craigslist follow:
PEARSON 33 SAIL BOAT
A Pearson 33' that they would probably take 15K for. Atomic 4 may not be a selling point but mine is older and still running.
Classic 32 foot Maxi 95 at a fraction of current value
No solid asking price.
The Catalina's all seem to be way over priced IMHO. They are also all more recent so perhaps that is it.
My best.

JohnRPollard · #8 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidpm

...I notice that the sailing is a little tame though.... Your getting a little board with that big bathtub arent you. Not even any rocks.

Yep, no rocks. Just how I like it!

davidpm · #9 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009

Someone answered my add from Craig's list. I had expected someone with a boat that could use a little help with the costs. What I got was a guy who the last time he was on a boat was 20 years ago and that was a sunfish. He was looking at the boats in one of the MA harbors and thought that looked like fun. That's it. He was trying to figure out what kind of keel configuration a sloop had was. He was thinking of a tailorable but when he saw my add figured that with someone to show him the ropes and keep an eye on the boat he could get a keel boat.

The broker I know is away for the weekend so he gave me the keys to about 10 boats from 25' to 32'. I've got an appointment to show my new friend and his girlfriend some boats this Sat.

Needless to say I'm more than a little nervous.
1. I'm playing at being a yacht broker which I am not.
2. I don't know this guy from Adam
3. I do know this guy has less than no clue.
4. In my add I had offered to pony up some cash but in this case I'm taking on sufficient responsibility that I'm not sure I'm willing to do that. I'm not sure how I can break the news to this guy that if I'm going to be primarily responsible for the boat and have to teach him how to sail and clean up the boat after his/our sails I'm probably going to be looking at a different kind of deal.

KeelHaulin · #10 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009

There is such a thing as non-equity partnership; so if you provide some cash for purchase you should be on the title for the % of your investment relative to the purchase price. But then the question becomes "do you want to hold any liability" if the primary buyer should have an accident involving injury or loss of life, or another boat.