Racing History-Effect on Value

[Rustyf]

I am looking to buy a Tartan 3400, Sabre 362 or a Bebeteau 36.7 all used but of fairly recent vintage. Would appreciate advice on how concerned I should be if the boat has been raced -future durability of systems, reliability, value etc.

Thanks

[tomandchris]

It is much more a matter of maintenance and replacement of equipment than it is whether the boat was raced or not. If the boat was raced and maintained .....no problem. If the boat was raced and mis treated..problem. The same statement can also be made for dock queens that were not maintained.

Get a survey and find out for sure.

[Jeff_H]

Usually race boats are in better shape than non-raced sister ships. Typically, race boats get the best of sails, and the best bottom, instrumentation, and deck hardware maintenance, and upgrades. Aethetics and interior maintenance- not so much. But its really a boat by boat, owner by owner thing.

Jeff

[sailingfool]

I recommend that you consider race boats only if you intend to race, i.e your ownership experience will be ahead financially if you focus on buying a boat that has been used the way you intend to use it: daysail, coastal cruise, racing, distance cruising.

That way you are more likely to get the gear you will eventually need in the purchase price, and not have to pay for gear that you do not need. The cost of gear needed to re-purpose a boat can be as much as the cost of the basic boat, or more.

[jackdale]

I happen to think that the 36.7 is a great compromise between racing and cruising. Check out the aft double carefully, it might be cozy for a couple. The V-berth is definitely not a double. I would presume that the leather cushions and table were routinely removed for racing. The holding tank is a bit small and a bit of a pain to empty overboard.

The mainsheet controls with the cockpit traveller can be a shin basher. It is a great light air boat.

With its high freeboard and no gate, it can be a bit of a bear to board. Transom access is impossible because of the large wheel and traveller.

Does it also have cruising sails? Cruising with race sails is a pain.

I used to do a lot of teaching on a 36.7.

[BarryL]

Hey,

There are a few ways of looking at this. First, are YOU interested in racing? If so, then gear like a set of racing and cruising sails, close hauled wind display, extra winches for spinnakers, etc. will have value to you. If not, they don't add much for you.

I see lots of older racing boats listed with 3 mains, 3 jibs, extra spinnakers, and such. As if old worn out sails are good for anything other than cluttering up the boat!

You can expect that a boat that has been actively raced will have some extra dings, nicks, and scratches from things like winch handles and blocks being dropped. You also expect a healthy amount of extra blocks, lines, sheets, but not extra anchors, cockpit tables, and that sort of stuff.

Good luck,
Barry

[dabnis]

Before buying our Coronado 25 we looked at many of them. Several had the bulkhead tabbing cracked of separated from the hull. Don't know if they were raced but it appears they were really pounded hard. I have never raced but have watched many racing fleets on San Francisco Bay, always looked like the skippers had no mercy. In addition to whether you want to race and all the racing gear that might be on the boat the hard use a race boat could lead to early "wear & tear"? Suggest a very thorough inspection of the hull condition and rigging on a boat that has been raced.

Dabnis