[bacinmass]

Ahoy, all -
I currently live in NE, but I am contemplating moving to St. Pete, FL.
I'm "between boats", and I'm wondering if there's any advantage to buying something while I'm here in NE and sail it to FL? Somewhere I thought I read that the FL sun and greater portion of year in water is harder on FL boats, and that a NE boat would often be in better shape? But then again, in NE we have freeze/thawe cycles and its impact on any water intrusion.
As for the boat, I'm looking for an 80's vintage, 30-35 ft sloop, price range $20-30K. I envision sailing from St Pete to Key West, then maybe at some point venture to VI.
Any thoughts, advice, comments?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Donna_F]

As for the boat's condition, personally I think you're putting too much emphasis on location. An owner who cares for his FL-based boat meticulously may have just as good a boat to offer as a NE owner who does the same.

If I was in the market for a boat that could be found nearby, I'd rather start looking closer to home and then have the adventure of sailing south rather than use up time and $ traveling back and forth to FL to look at boats.

 

[eherlihy]

^^^^
This!

 

[denverd0n]

How do you plan to get the boat to Florida? If you see the journey down the ICW as a grand adventure that will get you out on the water, familiarize you with your new boat, and be a leisurely, fun way to get south, then I would buy a boat in the NE. If you are just going to ship it, pay someone to move it, or hurry down as quickly as you can, then I would wait.

There are a LOT of boats for sale in Florida. My guess is that you will be just as easily able to find a nice boat in the price range you are looking for here, as anywhere else. So I would base the decision mostly on the issue of the move.

I would also remind you that, depending on where you plan to be, there is some pretty skinny water around Florida. Here on the west coast, boats with a draft greater than 6' tend to sit on the market for a LOOOONG time! No one wants them, because you are just too limited in terms of the canals, passes, anchorages, and marinas that you can get in and out of. A boat with a 7' draft may be no problem in Maine, but you will be wishing for something a whole lot shallower when you are cruising the Keys, Bahamas, or west coast of Florida.

 

[sailingfool]

Generally a boat from NE may be in use six months a year, versus twelve months in Florida (under a lot more sun). So all other things being equal, I would expect a NE boat to age materially less than a Florida boat, so I would prefer to buy in NE. Even better, consider as a premium any fresh water boats from areas like the great lakes, being in fresh water and for a short season, they will age even less than NE. I bought a Lake Champlain-based C&C 30 many years ago, the cosmetics of the boat were like new compared to the same age models that lived in salt water.

PS - it's pretty rare for "so all other things being equal" that where a boat is located is mostly just another notch in a long list.