Which Boat? Help..

kilby · #1 (**permalink**) 08-30-2011

After 20 years of being boatless, we have been looking around the Vancouver/Vancouver Island area for a good "re-starter" boat. I have literally looked at hundreds of 22' to 28' examples in the $7,000 to $15,000 range and am disappointed in the condition of nearly all of them. The only two that seem decent are a 1986 Mirage 25 and a 1985 Hunter 25.5. The owner's want $16,500 for the Mirage and $14,500 for the Hunter. Both really clean, Hunter pulled, painted and new thru hulls this year and has a 2010 survey. I know that they are both overpriced but how much of a premium does one pay for not inheriting someones junk? Someone must have an opinion on these two?

Which one is best built? Best sailing and will keep the best re-sale if we move up. ALL help on this appreciated.

dhays · #2 (**permalink**) 08-30-2011

If you buy a clean, well cared for boat, it will only lose value over time. If you buy a dirty boat that needs a little work but is essentially sound, you can put in some sweat equity and have a decent boat that you may be able to turn around later without much loss of value. The problem is that in your budget, you can only find old boats. The number of older boats that have been really well cared for isn't that great.

Good luck.

Dave

anthemj24 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-30-2011

Between those two boats, the Mirage hands down. It is a Robert Perry design and the builder had a good reputation on quality as well. Both those boats seem more than a little pricey to me, but boat prices can vary a fair amount region to region, so someone local to Vancouver or more familiar with the area might be able to offer more info in that regard. What kind of sailing are you looking to do? What do you want out of the boat? For that kind of budget I would bet you could get a real nice Catalina 27 with a trailer from any number of areas, and have enough scratch left to have it delivered up to you.

Faster · #4 (**permalink**) 08-30-2011

I'd agree that both are somewhat overpriced.. but there is some value to being able to buy and sail as opposed to buy, work/fix, then sail. And, more importantly perhaps, keep in mind that these are asking prices and what they'll actually sell for may be somewhat less.

A serious offer from a qualified buyer could change those numbers.

On the face of it I'd try for the Mirage first, but for our area the Hunter may well be fine is she's passed a critical survey.

blt2ski · #5 (**permalink**) 08-30-2011

I'd go with the mirage due to the pedigree and quickness vs the Hunter any day!

With that in mind, for around the Salish sea, as Faster pointed out, "EITHER" will work!

marty

Petar · #6 (**permalink**) 08-30-2011

I'd go south of the border. i purchased both of my sailboats in seattle for much better price than what i found in Vancouver area. canadians seem to be "emotionally attached" to their boats and asking some funny figures for them. canadian dollar is strong. For a boat built in US you will only pay 12%HST on the amount you paid in US. You take it out in 60 days and you pay no sales tax in US. Simple and efficient

bljones · #7 (**permalink**) 08-30-2011

Apparently BC boats are priced like BC real estate.

kilby · #8 (**permalink**) 08-31-2011

Thanks for you thoughts on this, they were as expected, just wish that we didn't have the "slightly higher in Canada" thing going on. With the dollar the way it's been for quite awhile, prices should be same as US. Even far better prices in Ontario, maybe it is the moronic real estate prices here make everybody here pay more for everything than anywhere else.

kilby · #9 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011

Well, we went and looked at the Hunter 25.5 and although really clean and well looked after, it did seem more like a "condo" on the water. The deal breaker for me was that the gunnels/deck has a slope so walking in any kind of sea would be difficult. The owner's dog just slipped overboard at the marina yesterday. The first Mirage (a 27') was a bit unloved but after the Hunter seemed like a "real boat" So now we are down to Mirage 25 and 27, O'Day 23 with 27' Hotfoot keel and a beautiful 2001 Cape Cod catboat with very little use, it is only 22' but feels huge, seems very stable. It's a must sell so is priced about 1/3 of all the other Catboats I have seen.

Faster · #10 (**permalink**) 09-02-2011

The slope (camber) on the decks is a non issue... in fact it makes seating and movement more comfortable and easier while heeled (and the boat is meant to be heeled)

As to your other 'choices', probably all reasonable boats but to be looking at moderate designs like the Mirages, AND a Hotfoot 27 AND/OR a Cape Cod Catboat means that you really aren't sure what kind of boat you want. These are hugely disparate designs in terms of accomodation and performance and is like comparing apples to wingnuts.

I think you need to take a step back and try to refine and define just the type of boat you really want/need. Then start shopping similar types rather than this wide range of different boats. Best thing to do would be to hang around marinas and yachtclubs and try to get rides on some different boats so you have some idea of how they feel, handle, and behave.

Don't rush into anything until you've sorted that out for yourself......