Frustrated

[H and E]

We decided we wanted a sailboat back in April. We then decided what we wanted based on what we think we will do with it. One with a trailer & sleeping area that we can ramp launch. We looked at a couple of boats before we took off for the summer (To escape the Texas heat) but decided to wait until we returned home. We came home early (Mid August) and have looked at several boats but haven't seen the correct one yet. Some are hundreds of miles away. The frustrating part is; I do not get replies from some ads for boats that I would buy based on the ad. Some boats are sold and the ad is still running. Some the ad indicates the boat is in good condition and the photos look OK and when we go see the boat it borders on derelict, is poorly maintained or needs a lot of work. It seems like the good boats are probably sold to someone that is aware of the boat and does not get advertised. I am afraid I will buy something that is not the best for our purpose just because it is available and we got a response from an ad inquire.

We will keep looking.

[Minnewaska]

North Texas seems like an unlikely place for a huge boat inventory. I'm admittedly unfamiliar with where you plan to sail. Assuming there is a popular destination, can you go there for a long weekend and find a broker who organizes a tour? Alternatively, would you want to go to the Gulf Coast and do the same?

[jameswilson29]

I feel your pain - it is a frustrating process. It seems to take a long time if you want to avoid making a costly mistake.

As a sailnet forum reader, you have an unfair advantage in the long run. Just think of the buyers who are buying these overpriced, older boats that are superficially appealing, but have problems that you know about because you read the forum posts here and are more knowledgeable.

[dacap06]

H and E,

Your story is all too familiar. Face it. Finding and buying the right boat is hard, doubly so when you aren't near a sailing center. Your frustration with ads running long after the boat sold are equally familiar. I can suggest a few things:

1) Look for examples on Yachtworld. The majority, if not totality, of the boats it lists are from brokers. They have a vested interest in getting it right and the lists are pretty close to current. It turned out to be my best site for good searches.

2) When you look at sites where users rather than brokers list their boats, begin by paying attention only to boats listed in the last few months and then work your way back if you find nothing. Owners often fail to take down ads at these sites after they sold their boat.

Good luck! If you persevere, you will find your boat.

Tom

[treilley]

BTDT. Welcome to the club.

Why do you think it takes most folks years to find the right boat. Certainly not words of encouragement but you are not alone and like the rest of us, the right boat will come your way.

We found our Ericson a week after we stopped looking and decided to launch our existing boat for the summer. Tickler from YW let us know of the new listing.

[Faster]

We experienced the same thing on our last hunt.... ended up shopping further afield, but not so far that trucking was involved (though we'd have considered it for the right deal). The worst scenario is travelling hundreds of miles based on pictures/ad/broker's say-so... only to realize in minutes that you've been lied to or misled.

Keep the faith... eventually you'll find what you're looking for. The portability of a trailerable boat makes your hunt much easier logistically, believe me...

[DRFerron]

Perhaps in areas where there isn't a huge sailing community it might be worthwhile to think outside the box.

We keep our boat on the Chesapeake, which, of course, has a large boating community, but we live two hours north, where there isn't one. We belong to a sail club with a membership consisting of 80% trailer sailors and who sail primarily on a local lake. As the Fleet Captain of that club I've had a couple non-members from the area contact me through our website and ask if I would pass on information about sailboats they had for sale. At various times we've also had members who sold their boats when they either moved up or became unable to operate the boat.

You might try doing an internet search for sailing clubs as far out as you're willing to drive to see a boat and contact the Commodore or Fleet Captain. Both of whom would normally know the boats owned by the membership. See if anyone is trying to sell a boat. Not all sail clubs are near bodies of water. Quite a few exist where the membership charters larger boats but those clubs are a draw to small boat owners who want to get on cruising boats without a commitment.

I bought my first boat through an RV dealership.

Try local small boat dealers. After I bought the trailer sailboat I had to find some place to service the outboard so I took it to a dealership that sold mostly fishing boats and had a service area. Other trailer boat owners might also do the same thing. Ask in the shop if they have customers they know who are trying to sell their boats. Ask if they have a bulletin board.

Finally, if there is a large lake nearby, there's probably a local flotilla of the USCG Auxiliary and/or US Power and Sail Squadron. In my CG auxiliary flotilla at least a third of us sail and usually there is someone with a boat for sale or who knows someone else trying to sell a boat.

Good luck!

[zedboy]

You are officially invited to make the trek up to southern Ontario, where boats grow on trees, or at least did in the 60s-80s with half a dozen major manufacturers.

A week or two up here and you'll see tons of stuff available between craigslist, kijiji, the brokers and word-of-mouth.

Now is a good time - people are pulling out for the winter and those that want to sell want to do it now before they pay for storage.

[Sublime]

What are you looking for as far as length and price? I'll try and keep an eye out for you.

There was a MacGregor for sale at lake Ray Roberts Marina. I don't know much about it. It was still up at the fuel doc last week as if they hadn't sold it yet.

Also, get in touch with La Vida Starships in Lewisville if you haven't. They will help you find something. They're good people.

Lots of marinas have boards where people put up flyers about their boats for sale. You might just have to go and look. Or maybe someone here online is willing to watch their boards for you at their marina.

[emoney]

Don't let it frustrate you, just keeping digging. I'm on sailboat number 2 enroute to "the one" which I think will probably fall in around sailboat number 4. So, the way I look at it, I'm only a couple of purchases away!! I guess you'd call me a "Glass is half full" person.

Something to think about, however, is you might be surprised to find that there are some people who "want" to sell, but don't believe this is the right market. Never hurts to ask someone that already owns the boat you're in the market for if theirs is "for sale". All they can do is say, "no".