New Vs. Old

[Sixpoint]

Just for the sake of conversation, I want to pose a question.

Well, it's not actually _just_ for the sake of conversation...I'm actually trying to decide something in my search for the right boat for me.

I want to pose the question very simply. I know that some of you will think that more specificity is necessary, but I am just trying to gauge the general feeling on this topic.

So, the question, put simply, is this: Are old boats better than new boats?Vice versa, maybe?

For example, if a person was looking at buying a boat and -again, just for the sake of this topic - it was going to cost as much in repairs/refits/upgrades as it would to buy a comparable new boat, which one would be the better choice?

I suppose also assuming that the boats were by the same maker or by makers of equal quality/reputation.

Any thoughts?

[Mimsy]

To answer in short: not necessarily, but maybe. Either.

I think it really depends on you and what you want. Some people would rather have an older boat and refit it themselves not out of budgetary constraints but from a desire to know intimately the condition of every system. Others would rather not fuss with it and would rather have a new boat and have someone else do the kitting out.

I think it is impossible to say which one would be the better choice because it really comes down to the person buying the boat.

[mccary]

This seems like too broad of a question... if you are asking if a 35 year old Hinckley is or might be better than a 2010 Catalina of similar size then the answer might seem easy, YES. OK, a qualified yes, do you race, do you cruise, do you have a large crew, are you asking about resale value or do you have a specific budget, are you asking sailing ability or safety? There are just too many paths this question can take.

Are you asking if a 2010 Catalina is better than a 1985? So many variables, manufacturers have good times and bad throughout their run as a business it is too hard to say.

[Sixpoint]

I was afraid that there wouldn't be an easy answer to this question.

Actually, I think I already knew the answer, which was what both Mimsy and mccary said, albeit in slightly different ways.

Man, doing the research trying to find the right boat for me is wearing me out.

Thanks for any input though everyone.

I think I'll qualify my wants/needs in a boat a bit more and start a new thread.

Man I love this forum.

[CalebD]

OK, I'll give you a few thoughts.
1st: There are a bunch of threads here already that cover this topic.
2nd: You question is way too vague to answer with anything more then a subjective opinion since we don't know the slightest detail of whether you are considering a sailing dinghy or a 42' wooden sailboat, much less, how much of a budget you are considering AND how handy you are and if you would be willing to do some work (aka, 'sweat equity') yourself.

So here is my subjective opinion, FWIW. I like older boats and don't have a budget that could support the 'buying a new boat' model. I also like to do most of the work myself on my old boat. The same logic probably applies to why I have never owned a new car in my entire life.
There are degrees of 'used boats'; ignored, moderately maintained and well maintained - as there are poor, moderate and well designed boats. Again, the same is true for the used automobile market.
There are many happy new boat owners and there are a smaller number who have received 'lemons'. You should still not expect a new boat to be without flaws despite the money you may have paid. The same is true for used boats but the price tag has to be less. I just object to the idea that once you drive your new car off the lot or take possession of your new boat the market resale value drops a disproportionate amount (usually) as it becomes a 'used' product.
That is my opinion and I am sticking to it.
Whichever way you choose to go: good luck.

[Sixpoint]

CalebD, I am TOTALLY with on the new car thing. I've bought one new car in my life, regretted it until I sold it, will never do it again.

Can't STAND that depreciation hit.

And I would have made the question more specific, but I really wanted to know if there was a broad answer. I don't even have my eye on a specific boat yet. Was just wanting to know if there was anything to the old saying about things not being made like they used to be, etc.

[blt2ski]

I would buy new, if the design of the boat was newer. If an older design, get the one that is the best bang for the buck.

Not sure used vs new car is worth looking at. Some cases, it is better to have the payments, depreciation wright off from taxes, so might as well go new. I've bought one maybe two used rigs, over a dozen or so new, regretted most of the used one, new ones, only one of them. That had nothing to do with the cost/depreciation, it was not quite what I thought it would be.

I also feel, some of the more recent designs in the last 15-20 yrs, have better SH or DH feasability when it comes to sailing. Not that older ones can not be, but the design from the get go is better. You will probably get someone else to say the opposite, quite possibly true too.

Take your pick, either will work. If you like designs that are 20-30 yrs old, and do not like the newer looks, go older, or if you like the newer ones, get a new one. If I could afford one, my 25 yr old would be gone for one of the newer 35-38' boats, like an Elan 350 or 380 among a few choices, maybe a king/summit 40 or the summit 35, X35, 35, 37....

Marty

[CalebD]

Sixpoint,

I wish there were a clear consensus about that saying: "they don't make things like they used to", but it is not so straight forward. My take so far is that in the used market you want to choose a boat that will fit your wants and needs best that has a moderate to good pedigree that is also in good condition. A boat in good condition means that it will not need a new engine, mast, spars and standing rigging ~ perhaps it even has good to new-ish sails.
So much of your decision should be based upon what you ideally want your boat to be able to do, assuming you actually have the time and resources to accomplish your ideals. Even 'coastal cruisers' and 'harbor Queens' have made it to the Bahamas and back but if your idea is to sail around the globe then most of those models are just not on your list and the dreaded 'Blue Water' designation is where you should be looking.
This brings me to your skill level and why you are even asking this question. Would this be your first boat and what are your ideal plans for you and your boat? Coastal cruising? Circumnavigation? Low latitude (Arctic/Antarctic) waters?
I'd suggest you start slowly and get a good smaller boat (although quite old) like I did and figure out how much you like it and IF you want that bigger boat for the bigger objectives you might have before spending a boatload on something that you may or may not really like. A well maintained smaller boat, even of an older vintage will be easier to sell then a huge boat that has a multitude of system problems requiring $$$$$'s of dollars to fix.
What I am trying to say is that it is about your expectations, appetite (skills that you already have because you will be fixing stuff you never thought you could), and your wallet.
If you have a solid sailing resume then please forgive me for pointing out the obvious. If not then I suggest that I am not trying to dissuade you from your dream but to help you focus in on that dream a bit more.
Disclaimer: I am mostly a racer and occasional coastal cruiser with only 400 nautical miles of ocean experience from Tortola, BVI to the TCI. Fortunately we had very moderate weather for that open ocean trip. I still long for more offshore passages but I know that the Atlantic can kick up some waves I'm not sure I really want to experience as with our most recent fly by of H'cane Earl which had nearly 40' waves near it's center if the radio-fax charts are to be believed.
Best of luck.

[johnshasteen]

You can typically buy an older quality-built boat in decent condition for less than many of these new clorex bottles with a stick in the top. Plus you will spend lots outfitting a new boat, when the old one probably has just about everything.

[tommays]

I have bought 2 sailboats and 1 powerboat brand NEW there all OLD now

The sailboats are both in there 30s

I went real old and rebuild with the current boat