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Chapter VII. Ready to Buy Your First Sailboat? Here’s How!

Preparing for Your Boat Search 

Alright! You’ve done your homework, joined the USCG Auxiliary, crewed under experienced captains for a few years, examined boat designs, learned a bit about engines, and now you feel ready to take the plunge.

By this point, you should have a feel for the kind of sailing that you want to do, where you want to sail, and the boat that suits this style, be it daysailer, racer, coastal cruiser, or blue water passage maker. Now you have to prepare for your boat search.

Boat Specs and Reviews

First, Google reviews of the boat(s) you’re favoring. This will provide some insight into known issues, model years that are preferable, etc. In Chapter V, I listed some reliable boat reviews for some great boats. Further your knowledge of the vessels in your sights by checking out their specifications on SailboatData.com – an excellent site with comprehensive information on 1000’s of boats.

DIY Boat Survey

Next, learn how to do a self-survey. Basically, you want to look at each component on a vessel to assess its condition. You’ll want to take plenty of pictures and make notes on your findings as you go.

In Chapter II, I mentioned the Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual by Don Casey. Don’s got some great info on self-survey. If you haven’t already picked up this book, now’s the time. You can refer to his step-by-step instructions to gauge the urgency, difficulty, and expense of any repairs needed for the boats that you’re considering.

These links will complement your self-survey regimen:

Also if the owner has had the boat surveyed, ask for a copy. In a perfect world every potential seller will have a recent survey in hand to streamline the sale, but even if the boat was surveyed 10 years ago, you can use that information to determine the level of care or neglect she’s been given. Did the owner properly address issues raised by the surveyor? Does the boat seem to be in better condition than when she was last surveyed?

Here are some great articles on boat buying:

Now you’ve got your checklists, camera, notepad, flashlight, and tools ready to self-survey. Let’s look at some ways to find well-loved used boats without the expense of going through a broker.

Begin the Hunt

As with most things, word of mouth is your best option. A captain you crew for… a USCG Auxiliarist… a fellow Yacht Club member… has a friend with a great boat for sale. The more of the boat’s history that you can verify, the better.

Boatyards and marinas can be a great source. They’ll often have a captain who’s been with them for many years and is reluctantly parting with a boat. You can bet the yard employees will know which skipper’s been taking care of his/her boat. Ask around.

SailboatListings.com is an excellent site – not only to find sailboats that are “for sale by owner”, but to compare the price and condition of other identical boat models to the one you’re considering.

Again, Craigslist.org is a fantastic resource and likewise for used sailboats. I found my boat on Craigslist!

Trusting Your Gut

Take your time, ask questions, do your homework, and TRUST YOUR GUT! If something about the boat or owner doesn’t feel right, pass and look elsewhere.

I had a guy tell me that an obviously bent mast was just lying that way on the rack because of gravity… It stayed bent when I rolled it over.

Another guy kept insisting his Cal 34′ was a ‘good solid boat’ even after I pointed out that it was infested with wasps nests and its “Beam Of Death” (see Cal Yachts in Chapter V) was indeed rusted through and… dead. Yikes.

Other unscrupulous boat sellers aren’t quite as obvious as these two knuckleheads, so LET THE BUYER BEWARE… If something about the boat or owner doesn’t feel right, PASS AND LOOK ELSEWHERE!

Use your self-survey to eliminate the losers. Now take a good hard look at your observations of those still under consideration. Odds are you’ve found some issues that will need repair. Check out those repairs in the Casey book and price out the needed materials from my Marine Supplies vendors. Does that boat still make sense? If not, they are 1000’s more boats out there. If so, read on…

The 2nd Opinion…

Once you’ve found a boat and she’s passed your self-survey, it’s time to arrange a survey and a sea trial with a qualified marine surveyor. You’ll want to arrange a short haul so your surveyor can assure there are no surprises below the waterline… Then you’ll do a sea trial to assure she floats, the engine runs reliably, she sails well, etc.

All this can be expensive, so be 99% sure this is the boat you want before arranging to hire a surveyor and have the boat hauled. It may be very tempting to proceed from your self-survey and forgo the expense of survey, short haul, and sea trial. Do not give in to this temptation. In addition to the risk of buying a money pit, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to insure the vessel without a current survey. Also, an impartial third party may be needed to slap you in the face if you’ve “fallen in love” and chosen to overlook serious problems.

Survey

You’ll want a qualified marine surveyor who is a sailboat specialist. To find one, as always, word of mouth is best. Yacht clubs, marinas, and boatyards will know a good one. Also, ask your insurer. (Don’t have one? I’ll have some suggestions later in this article…)

The National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS) is the preeminent organization of Marine Surveyors. Their page offers a link to find surveyors in your area.

The Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS) is another well-respected association of marine surveyors. They offer this link to find surveyors in your area.

The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) is the organization that maintains the standards for the marine industry. If a boat is up to ABYC standards, you’re in good shape. They also offer a link to find marine surveyors. Your surveyor should be a member of NAMS or SAMS and be ABYC compliant.

Sea Trial

In short, you want to make sure she floats, motors, sails as she should, and does not take on water (check the bilge before and after). Is she stable walking the decks? Does she move easily and turn well? Do the sails raise and lower easily? How does she tack?

Read through these articles on Sea Trial:

Decisions, Decisions…

A survey and sea trial may very well reveal problems that you hadn’t discovered. You now have solid evidence from which to negotiate your purchase price. Depending on the severity of the issue, you may wish to withdraw altogether. Use the information we’ve discussed to determine if the boat is worth repair and upgrades.

Remember also that you’re going to have to move the boat from her current home to your dock of choice. Do you feel comfortable making that passage? Maybe some safety issues should be addressed by the current owner? Weigh your options and proceed accordingly.

If you found a money pit, be glad that you paid the money for a survey and are not the new owner of a liability for years to come… If you’ve indeed found ‘the one’, congrats, but we’re not done yet… You have a lot more to consider beyond the initial purchase price. Read on.

Insurance

You need insurance. Liability is a minimum, but most marinas now also require hull insurance (like collision insurance on an auto). You’ve got your survey in hand, so you’re ready to talk with an agent. A good policy will provide peace of mind and make it easier to recover from the inevitable storm, snafu, or accident that damages your pride and joy.

TIP: If you have homeowners insurance, you can likely get a good deal by adding your boat coverage to your policy.

I know many captains who swear by BoatUS. BoatUS is a boaters’ advocacy group that offers insurance and a host of other services to members.

My surveyor recommended me to Larry Fox at The Boat Insurance Store. Larry put together an excellent policy with American Modern Insurance Group (AMIG).

AMIG saw me through Superstorm Sandy, a hit-and-run, and a flooding incident – all the while providing great service and fast reimbursement. They were calling every week borderline harassing me to finish sending in my receipts so they could process and pay the claim. I have never dealt with an insurance company like this. By the way, this is not a paid endorsement.

LAWRENCE FOX AGENCY
www.boatinsurancestore.com
(800) 553-7661

Tell Larry I sent you…

Towing Protection

Lastly, just like AAA for your car, you need on the water towing protection. Your insurance policy will provide a level of towing coverage, but for soft-groundings and engine problems you’ll want the security and convenience of unlimited towing coverage.

Sooner or later, the engine’s going to stop inexplicably, or you’ll beach on an uncharted sandbar. Towing on the water is ridiculously expensive. For example, the above-referenced flooding incident incapacitated my engine and electric bilge pump. I paid $800 to be towed less than an hour to the service center.

With TowBoatUS or Sea Tow coverage, you pay an annual flat fee (around $180). TowBoatUS’ “Unlimited Gold” or Sea Tow’s “Gold Card” gets you free towing to the repair facility of your choice. I definitely recommend the top-tier coverage. It isn’t that much more expensive than the regular coverage and the benefits far outweigh the extra price. They both have convenient, GPS-aware smartphone apps that make calling for help easy. There are some restrictions so be sure to read their fine print. For example, you must have a working bilge pump, so I could not use them for the flooding incident. (Luckily my insurer AMIG took care of the towing costs. Phew…)

TowBoatUS
Sea Tow

OK now you’ve bought a boat. Where are you going to keep her? See Chapter VIII...

Thanks for reading! Feel free to leave a comment. If you’d like to have future posts sent to your inbox and receive notice on product specials from the New York City Sailor SHOP, please subscribe – see the “Subscribe to Blog / Sales” link on this page.

There are many more helpful articles at the BLOG, and more to come…
While you’re here please check out the SHOP – thousands of discount marine products and counting!
Your business is appreciated and helps to keep this site running. Please tell your friends!

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I’m adding new products all the time and can get just about anything you need.

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Fair winds!

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Chapter VI. Don’t Know Jack about Diesel Engines? Here’s How to Fix That…

Diesel

Alright, you want to buy a sailboat? Great, now let’s talk diesel.

The engine is the boat’s most expensive piece of equipment, so you’ll want some diesel knowledge under your belt before searching for your boat.

Once you become a boat owner, you’ll need to find an experienced diesel mechanic. Every boatyard will know one, but obviously it’d be good to know how to do regular maintenance and fix some things yourself. Paying someone to do every little thing will quickly empty your bank account. Further, a foundation in diesel maintenance will also enable you to ask meaningful questions and understand your mechanic’s actions. I’ve had more than a few mechanics attempt unnecessary repairs to pad out their bill, and on other occasions I caught something the mechanic innocently missed.

The more familiar you become with diesel engines, the better off you’ll be, and not just financially. You’ll find this especially important if you’re far from any mechanic and the engine suddenly stops…

Here are a few resources to help you get acclimated:

The Diesel Bible

We discussed Nigel Calder’s Boatowners Mechanical and Electrical Manual in Chapter II. Now take a look at one of his other books –  Marine Diesel Engines: Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Repair. It’s the marine diesel bible. Buy it. Read it. Profit.

Service Manuals and Parts Catalogs

Next, and highly important, you’ll need the engine’s service manual and parts catalog to determine when regular maintenance is required and which replacement parts are right for your motor. Having the correct part number when you call your supplier will save time and avoid confusion.

Online Learning

Ontario’s Fanshawe School of Transportation Technology has a very educational YouTube channel. While not specifically geared toward marine engines you’ll find the principles taught are applicable to any diesel. Most of the YouTube videos I found on marine diesels were presented by amateurs. This is a really great resource as it’s taught by a professional instructor.

The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) have some helpful diesel and electrical instructional videos on their website – FREE!!

Classes

After examining the above resources, you might think of taking a marine diesel class. Unfortunately, Mack Boring (Yanmar) recently discontinued their invaluable service classes. This means you’ll need to seek out options at your local community college or travel to the organizations below for specialized marine diesel workshops:

Annapolis School of Seamanship – Maryland
Landfall Navigation – Connecticut
Wooden Boat School – Maine

My Favorite Diesel Parts Supplier

Niemiec Marine in New Bedford, Massachusetts maintains a well-stocked warehouse and has always had the parts I needed for my diesel. They’re a friendly bunch and ship fast. Their excellent site MarineDieselParts.com makes it easy to find parts for your engine as well as fuel filters, pumps, etc . If you live in the NYC tri-state area I’ve found that you can typically expect your parts to arrive next day with regular ground shipping as long as your order before noon.

TIP: Assure that your motor mounts are tight. Diesels vibrate like crazy, and loose motor mounts will shake things loose and cause fuel lines to admit air. Yours truly replaced his entire fuel line, chasing inexplicable leaks until realizing the loose motor mounts were shaking all the new (and expensive) parts loose. I replaced everything from the secondary fuel filter back to the tank, and went so far as to pull the fuel tank, spending hundreds of dollars and countless man-hours replacing perfectly good parts – for no reason. Groan.

Alright, I hope that you found this informative. Next at NewYorkCitySailor.com, we’ll look at engine options for smaller sailboats and dinghies in Chapter VI-A. Outboards and The Solar Option.

 

Thanks for reading! Feel free to leave a comment. If you’d like to have future posts sent to your inbox and receive notice on product specials from the New York City Sailor SHOP, please subscribe – see the “Subscribe to Blog / Sales” link on this page.

There are many more helpful articles at the BLOG, and more to come…
While you’re here please check out the SHOP – over 6,600 discount marine products and counting!
Your business is appreciated and helps to keep this site running. Please tell your friends!

FYI: If you don’t see products you’re seeking please send email via the CONTACT page.
I’m adding new products all the time and can get just about anything you need.

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Fair winds!

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Chapter V. 3 Boatbuilders Every Sailboat Buyer Should Consider

If you’re looking to live the dream aboard your own sailing vessel, you’ll find that there are thousands of boat manufacturers. We’re going to limit our scope to a few from the “Golden Age” of American boat building that I discussed in Chapter IV. I’ve chosen three with unimpeachable credentials.
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1. Pearson Yachts

Pearson_Yachts_Logo

Pearson Yachts basically started fiberglass boatbuilding. They introduced the venerable Pearson Triton 28′ in 1958 and sailors are still circumnavigating the globe in them. Cousins Clint and Everett Pearson began with a who’s who of superstar yacht designers like the Triton’s designer, Carl Alberg, along with John Alden, Philip Rhodes, and William Tripp. Pearson then turned the reins over to Sparkman and Stephens alumnus William Shaw. Shaw produced over fifty designs for Pearson, many highly successful.

Pearsons have a reputation as well-built, seaworthy boats. They were one of the most prolific builders of this era with the Pearson Ensign 22′ (1776 hulls built), the Pearson 30′ (1000+ hulls built), and the Pearson 35′ (515 hulls built). The aforementioned Triton sold an estimated 700 hulls. Pearson made many other models during this period which were less common, but worth a look. I’ve included reviews of some of their other models in the links section below.

While Pearson went out of business in 1990, Ensign Spars of Michigan are still building the popular Ensigns from Pearson’s original molds. You’ll find many Pearsons still on the water, (including the author’s 1969 Wanderer 30′) and there are many owners associations and online resources with tips on maintenance and upgrades.

The majority of Pearsons were built in Bristol, Rhode Island and there are still a number of firms there that stock or manufacture Pearson parts and accessories.

TIP: ~150-200 Pearson Tritons were manufactured on the West Coast by Aeromarine Plastics. Identifiable by their masthead rig and lacking the wooden trim found on fractional-rig East Coast Tritons, West Coast Tritons are rumored to have solid fiberglass decks with no balsa core and are highly sought after for their superior build quality.

Boat Reviews and Further Info

The Pearson Era from Good Old Boat magazine

Pearson Ensign 22′
Pearson Ensign Boat Review from Sailing magazine
Ensign Class – the go-to resource for all things Ensign
Ensign Spars – builders of new Ensigns but also a great source for parts

Pearson 26′ – Pearson 26′ Review from Sailing

Pearson Renegade 27′ – Pearson Renegade Review from Practical Sailor magazine

Pearson Triton 28′
Pearson Triton Review from Practical Sailor magazine
Bound for Distant Seas & The Next Distant Sea – James Baldwin’s fascinating and instructive accounts of his solo circumnavigations aboard his 1963 Triton
The Sailboat Atom – Baldwin’s website is a fantastic resource for Triton owners. The upgrades, refits, and improvements he’s made are inspiring.

Pearson 28′ – Pearson 28 Review from BoatUS magazine

Pearson 30′
Pearson 30 Review from BoatUS
Pearson 30 Review from Practical Sailor
Pearson 30 Review from Sailing magazine

Pearson 32′ – Pearson 32 Review from Practical Sailor

Pearson 323 – Pearson 323 Review from Soundings magazine

Pearson Vanguard 33′ – Pearson Vanguard Review from Practical Sailor

Pearson 38′ – Pearson 38′ Review from Cruising World magazine

Pearson 40′ – Pearson 40 Review from Sailing

2. Cal Yachts

CalYachts
Like Pearson, Cal Yachts were pioneers in fiberglass boatbuilding. Cal employed a sole designer – naval architect Bill Lapworth. His innovative designs would prove to be game-changers and his name became synonymous with the Cal brand.

Lapworth was incredibly prolific, producing 28 designs during the “Golden Age” alone. He was also known for demonstrating his designs in action, sailing his Cal 20′ across the Pacific from California to Hawaii.

Cal had incredible success and sold thousands of Lapworth designed boats, including the Cal 20′ (1945 hulls), the Cal 21′ (500 hulls), the Cal 25′ Pop-Top (1848 hulls), the Cal 2-27′ (656 hulls), and the Cal 29′ (624 hulls).

While Cal’s biggest sellers were in the 20-29′ range, Lapworth stunned the sailing world with his Cal 40′ (160 hulls). The ‘Giant Killer’ as it was called burst onto the scene in 1963 and catapulted Lapworth to international renown as Cal 40’s dominated the ocean races of the sixties and beyond.

Cals of many sizes continue to do well racing today. Like Pearson, Cal produced many other models during the “Golden Age” which deserve your consideration. While no longer in business, Cals are well supported with owners associations and many firms in California continue to supply parts.

TIP: Many Cal designs of this era employ a galvanized steel I-beam installed athwartships at the base of the mast and attached to the foot of the bulkhead. 
The Cal’s “Beam of Death” (Google it) is structurally crucial and must be sound. After years of use, rusty galvanized steel will wear out and eventually need replacement. This is a big job and the prospective Cal 29-40 owner would do well to find a boat that has already undergone mast beam replacement in stainless steel.

Boat Reviews and Further Info

Cal 20′ – Cal 20′ Review

Cal 21′ – Cal 21′ Review

Cal 25′ Pop-Top – Cal 25 Review

Cal 2-27′ – Cal 2-27′ Review from Practical Sailor

Cal 29′ – Cal 29′ Review

Cal 31′ – Cal 31 Review from Practical Sailor

Cal 34′- Cal 34′ Review from Practical Sailor

Cal 35′ Mk II – Cal 35′ Mk II Review from Practical Sailor

Cal 39′ – Cal 39′ Review from Sailing

Cal 40′
Cal 40 Review from Practical Sailor
Cal 40 Review from Sailing

Cal 46′ – Cal 46′ Review from Practical Sailor

3. Tartan

Tartan

Ohio’s Tartan Yachts began their reputation for building quality sailing yachts in 1961. During their first ten years, Tartan enjoyed great success by focusing on only four designs, three of which became some of the most successful boats of the “Golden Age”: the Tartan 27′ (712 hulls built), the Tartan 30′ (606 hulls built), and the Tartan 34′ (525 hulls built).

With the exception of the Ted Hood designed Black Watch/Tartan 37′, all of Tartan’s “Golden Age” boats were drawn up by the pedigreed firm of Sparkman and Stephens.

Unlike Pearson and Cal, Tartan is still in business today. They are renowned for their support to owners of their classics and still sell replacement parts for these well-loved boats. Tartan owners also enjoy a large community of owner associations.

Boat Reviews and Further Info

Tartan Yachts Home Page
Tartan Owners’ Association

Tartan 27′
Tartan 27′ Review from Practical Sailor
Upgrading the Tartan 27 from Practical Sailor

Tartan 30′
Tartan 30′ Review from Sailing magazine

Tartan 34′
Tartan 34′ Review from Sailing
Tartan 34 Review from Practical Sailor

Tartan 3500 – Tartan 3500 Review from BoatUS

Tartan 37′
Tartan 37 Review from BoatUS
Tartan 37 Review from Cruising World
Timeless Tartan 37′ from Practical Sailor

Conclusion

The prospective boat owner could do no wrong by limiting their search to Pearsons, Cals, and Tartans of this era. The vast numbers of quality boats that were produced ensure robust documentation and parts support.

In addition to these builders there were a number of others that produced well-founded vessels during the “Golden Age”; among them Pearson-offshoot Bristol, Columbia, C&C, Ericson, Islander, Cal-offshoot Ranger, and Sabre Yachts. Take a look at these links for more great boats that might be “the one”.
Twenty Small Sailboats to Take You Anywhere
Twenty Affordable Sailboats to Take You Anywhere

One can also learn a great deal by examining the visionary designers of this era. A great place to start is with the “Bills” – Bill Lapworth, Bill Shaw, Bill Tripp, & Bill Crealock. As discussed, designs by Carl Alberg, John Alden, Ted Hood, Philip Rhodes, and Sparkman & Stephens are highly regarded. Learn from the masters…

In the next section at NewYorkCitySailor.com, we’ll look at the most expensive component of a sailboat – the engine… Chapter VI. Diesel Engines is next.

 

Thanks for reading! Feel free to leave a comment. If you’d like to have future posts sent to your inbox and receive notice on product specials from the New York City Sailor SHOP, please subscribe – see the “Subscribe to Blog / Sales” link on this page.

There are many more helpful articles at the BLOG, and more to come…
While you’re here please check out the SHOP – over 6,600 discount marine products and counting!
Your business is appreciated and helps to keep this site running. Please tell your friends!

FYI: If you don’t see products you’re seeking please send email via the CONTACT page.
I’m adding new products all the time and can get just about anything you need.

Don’t forget to “Like” and Share the New York City Sailor FACEBOOK page – also on TWITTER and GOOGLE+.

Fair winds!

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Chapter IV. 5 Things to Remember When Looking for Your First Sailboat

There are a lot of factors to consider when looking at a boat. I’ll go into greater detail in a future chapter, but here we look at some of the most important things to bear in mind during your search.

1. You Want a Solid Fiberglass Hull – aka “The Classic Plastics”

It’s said that wooden boats will die on their own, but fiberglass boats must be assassinated. Quality fiberglass is pound-for-pound stronger than steel, doesn’t rust, rot, or otherwise succumb to the elements, and is easily repaired. You can’t say those things about wood or steel.

Fiberglass boatbuilding had just begun in the late 1950’s, and it’s remained the dominant material chosen by designers since then. Wood boats are pretty, but high maintenance. There are steel and aluminum boats out there too, but they also require special care or corrosion will take over. Some boats have been built from cement. Nobody is making cement boats anymore. That can’t be good.

The years ~1960-1975 were a “Golden Age” for American sailboats. Fiberglass boatbuilding was still in its infancy, so many boats were overbuilt as manufacturers weren’t entirely sure on strength. Further, oil was cheap before the 1973-74 OPEC embargo made petroleum prices skyrocket, so manufacturers were content to build heavily and use plenty of resin. This resulted in some extremely durable boats, many of whom are still sailing today. Because of this, the prospective buyer can choose from thousands of worthy vessels.

Of course, age does play a factor. Although these fiberglass hulls may last another hundred years, other parts will have served their useful lives and need replacement. The key is to find boats that have been cared for and already had worn parts replaced, then to have the wherewithal to continue stewardship of these fine vessels until you’re ready to sell and pass the torch forward.

The boats we’ll discuss will have solid fiberglass hulls. They’ll also typically have fiberglass decks cored with balsa wood (sometimes marine plywood) – meaning two layers of fiberglass sandwiching a layer of wood. This was done to keep the decks light, but strong. However, if water intrudes into the decks and rots the wood, you’ll lose all strength and be in for an expensive, PITA deck repair. You want to bounce around the boat and feel SOLID decks under your feet.

Some more modern boats save weight using cored hulls, with the same wood sandwich arrangement as in decks. Many experienced sailors tell me that cored hulls are fine. But for me… Nope, just… Nope.

Likewise, beware wooden rudders and look for fiberglass. The same goes for iron centerboards. You want fiberglass.

2. You Want a Reliable Diesel Engine

The majority of boats from this period came with “Atomic 4” gasoline engines. While many of these engines have proven reliable over the years, you’ll want to find a boat that has been repowered with a diesel.

Why?

First, gas fumes can settle in the bilge and explode. Second, diesels are more efficient and will go further per gallon than gas. Third, a 40-50 year-old engine (gas or diesel) will provide you with headaches, so a boat of this age with the original engine is a pass.

Yanmar, Volvo, Beta Marine, Perkins, and Westerbeke/Universal all make quality diesel engines for sailboats. The info in these articles will concentrate on Yanmar since I am most familiar with them and they’ve proven the most popular choice for repowering sailboats. I’ll have more on diesel engines for you in a later article.

3.You Want an Encapsulated Lead Keel

Some boats have iron keels bolted on. You’ll have less to worry about with an encapsulated lead keel. First, you don’t have to worry about keel bolts wearing away, a condition that if left unchecked could prove catastrophic – i.e. the keel falls off and the boat capsizes. Second, lead is softer and will absorb shock better in a grounding. Third, lead is non-magnetic and won’t screw with your compass like iron. Fourth, lead doesn’t rust.

4. Buy the Boat You Want, Not the Boat That Could Someday Be What You Want

This is really important. You may be very tempted to “save money” and buy the boat that needs a lot of work, but this will probably prove costlier in the long-run. If you think you’ll save money by installing a new diesel engine in the otherwise beautiful boat with the old Atomic 4, you’re likely in for a surprise. Likewise the boat with the soft decks but “nice price”, or the dismasted boat deal that seems to be a bargain, etc. You may be searching scrapyards for a long time before finding a suitable used mast, and buying and installing a new mast (or a new diesel engine) will likely cost as much as or more than a decent used sailboat.

To give you an example, when I had my boat surveyed just before purchase, there happened to be an identical boat for sale in the yard. The owner wanted $5K more than the previous owner of my boat – which at the time I thought was out of my price range, BUT – he had already done the things that my boat needed. I went on to spend about 3-4 times that $5K to get my boat into the shape that his was already. Further, had I negotiated with him I may have gotten that $5K difference down to $3-4K or even less.

Learn from my example. Before you buy, get an idea of what repairs and upgrades will cost and buy the boat you want, not the boat that could SOMEDAY be what you want. Be prepared to spend a little more up front to save in the long run. Used parts already on the boat are always less expensive than buying new. Plus, they’re already installed…

5. Take Your Time

Do NOT fall in love and buy the first boat you see. Or the second. Or the third…

There were tens of thousands of quality boats made during the “Golden Age”. Take your time and check out a bunch of them. Keep looking for the one that has been well-loved and best suits your needs. You’ll find her. I looked at boats from Annapolis to Newport before I found “The One”. Read on. I’ve compiled a shortlist to help narrow your search in Chapter V at NewYorkCitySailor.com – 3 Boatbuilders Every Prospective Sailboat Buyer Should Consider.

 

Thanks for reading! Feel free to leave a comment. If you’d like to have future posts sent to your inbox and receive notice on product specials from the New York City Sailor SHOP, please subscribe – see the “Subscribe to Blog / Sales” link on this page.

There are many more helpful articles at the BLOG, and more to come…
While you’re here please check out the SHOP – over 6,600 discount marine products and counting!
Your business is appreciated and helps to keep this site running. Please tell your friends!

FYI: If you don’t see products you’re seeking please send email via the CONTACT page.
I’m adding new products all the time and can get just about anything you need.

Don’t forget to “Like” and Share the New York City Sailor FACEBOOK page – also on TWITTER and GOOGLE+.

Fair winds!