Help finding the right 30'-35' sailboat?

irishrifles

New Member
Can anyone suggest someone who I can hire to take with me when I go out and look at used sailboats(I live in north east, Florida)?
I want an expert (unlike myself), someone who knows what to look for and won't be fooled by the seller's B/S.
What does a person as I described usually charge for something like this?
I want someone I can trust, word of mouth is priceless.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
 
What should I look for in selecting the right one?
Also, what about finding one for buying a private, small craft sailboat, as I see a lot specialize in larger commercial crafts.
 
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A surveyor is a very valuable tool when you're purchasing a larger boat (usually > 30 feet, or if it's newer or higher priced). A survey can keep you from buying a boat with major issues, much like a house inspection before purchasing a home. However, a survey is not cheap usually, especially a good one. This is also something you do not want to do (i.e. PAY FOR) unless you are serious about a specific boat. Hopefully you will only pay for one survey when you purchase a boat. You do not want to do multiple surveys. Therefore, what I'd suggest for you is a good sailboat broker. Ask around at the sailing hangouts (anchorages, yacht clubs, docks, bars, etc) for a good sailboat broker. Be sure they are a SAILBOAT broker as a great majority do mostly power boats and can be pretty clueless when it comes to sailboats. You need one that knows what to look for specifically in sailboats.
 
A surveyor is a very valuable tool when you're purchasing a larger boat (usually > 30 feet, or if it's newer or higher priced). A survey can keep you from buying a boat with major issues, much like a house inspection before purchasing a home. However, a survey is not cheap usually, especially a good one. This is also something you do not want to do (i.e. PAY FOR) unless you are serious about a specific boat. Hopefully you will only pay for one survey when you purchase a boat. You do not want to do multiple surveys. Therefore, what I'd suggest for you is a good sailboat broker. Ask around at the sailing hangouts (anchorages, yacht clubs, docks, bars, etc) for a good sailboat broker. Be sure they are a SAILBOAT broker as a great majority do mostly power boats and can be pretty clueless when it comes to sailboats. You need one that knows what to look for specifically in sailboats.

Thanks for responding back.
I was wondering if there was someone I could hire who was much more connected to the used sailboat industry who could look for me, equipped with my max price along with the features I'm trying to find in it, knowing the desired length, he/she would have a better chance in finding the right boat for me instead of me looking for it everywhere from visiting local marina's, checking Craigslist to the Boat Trader and beyond.
Finding me the right boat in the right shape with what I'd like to have in it would be worth what ever they charge.
 
There are perhaps a number of people that could provide this service but I suspect what you are asking for could cost almost what a small boat would be worth. You may want to first make a "detailed" list of what you are looking for i.e. open water or lake sailing, live aboard or occasional use, single hand or crew, cold water of tropics, capable of handling high wind and waves or calm water sailing, fiberglass or wood OK?; inboard or outboard power, wheel or tiller steering?, fixed keel or swing?, trailer or leased slip required?, fixer-upper or perfect condition, exterior wood to maintain or not?, inventory of sails, deck hardware / racing or puttering around, furling or hank on head sail?, overnight/sleeps X adults or strictly day sailing, what length/ 14' or 40', what is your budget - cash deal or payments, will you be doing the maintenance or have it done?, do you understand the cost of owning a boat the size you decide to purchase - is it within your means on a long term basis?

This is a sample of the questions you need to consider before spending money for someone to locate and inspect a boat for you. your answers are none of our business but should be very important to anyone attempting to help you. If you can answer all of these questions plus others not mentioned above you should be able to find a boat on your own. While it is always good to have a boat surveyed before purchase most people can walk through a boat and, by looking carefully and asking countless questions, be able to determine its general condition. If it is the boat for you and everything you can see looks great then have the owner take you out on a test run and see if you like the way the boat handles. If you think you have found a boat ask members of this site for comments on the specific type of boat you are going to buy. I am sure someone on this forum has owned just about every type of boat you can think of and hopefully knows the things to look for, its strengths and its weaknesses and will be happy to provide input. If all is still "go" the next step is to find a good surveyor and find out what, if anything, you missed. This approach should work for most people. Finally, keep in mind that not all surveyors are good surveyors - get references!

Good luck! Let us know what you find...
 
There are perhaps a number of people that could provide this service but I suspect what you are asking for could cost almost what a small boat would be worth. You may want to first make a "detailed" list of what you are looking for i.e. open water or lake sailing, live aboard or occasional use, single hand or crew, cold water of tropics, capable of handling high wind and waves or calm water sailing, fiberglass or wood OK?; inboard or outboard power, wheel or tiller steering?, fixed keel or swing?, trailer or leased slip required?, fixer-upper or perfect condition, exterior wood to maintain or not?, inventory of sails, deck hardware / racing or puttering around, furling or hank on head sail?, overnight/sleeps X adults or strictly day sailing, what length/ 14' or 40', what is your budget - cash deal or payments, will you be doing the maintenance or have it done?, do you understand the cost of owning a boat the size you decide to purchase - is it within your means on a long term basis?

This is a sample of the questions you need to consider before spending money for someone to locate and inspect a boat for you. your answers are none of our business but should be very important to anyone attempting to help you. If you can answer all of these questions plus others not mentioned above you should be able to find a boat on your own. While it is always good to have a boat surveyed before purchase most people can walk through a boat and, by looking carefully and asking countless questions, be able to determine its general condition. If it is the boat for you and everything you can see looks great then have the owner take you out on a test run and see if you like the way the boat handles. If you think you have found a boat ask members of this site for comments on the specific type of boat you are going to buy. I am sure someone on this forum has owned just about every type of boat you can think of and hopefully knows the things to look for, its strengths and its weaknesses and will be happy to provide input. If all is still "go" the next step is to find a good surveyor and find out what, if anything, you missed. This approach should work for most people. Finally, keep in mind that not all surveyors are good surveyors - get references!

Good luck! Let us know what you find...

Well... some things are standard as its got to be fiberglass with little to no maintenance, in as perfect shape as possible (plug and play type improvements aside).

With 30' the motor will be an Atomic 4 type engine I assume.

A single sail sloop is fine but I like the look and style of a Yawl/Ketch.

I want a cruiser for salt water sailing around the US coast(s).

I will keep it in a marina locally.

A wheel is preferred.

Nothing less than 30' but no more than 40'.

The term of ownership would depend but I figure on keeping it for many years if all goes well.

I will be paying cash.

Price max I'd say no more than $30k but anything near that will eliminate funds for extras.

I've looked at so many boats so far and they were all mostly disappointments with hidden surprises I only found by going to see them in person.

My reasons are I want someone working for me with my best interests in mind, looking to find me what I'm looking for instead of someone just looking to offload a boat that's been sitting for years in some marina somewhere and all they're concerned about is making a commission.

I welcome any and all feedback from forum members. :)
 
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Just curious, do you plan to have a blog to post updates about your search ?
Was watching on youtube Sailing Nervous. Their search for a liveaboard boat and surveys, was pretty interesting.
 
Just curious, do you plan to have a blog to post updates about your search ?
Was watching on youtube Sailing Nervous. Their search for a liveaboard boat and surveys, was pretty interesting.

Well, I would but due to certain situations I can not really do much of the needed leg work nor would I know where to start but if I were to hire someone, I will post it here.

Since I posted here last I've spoken to a lot of people who own them who gave me the impression that "buying one is not such a good idea after all, due to the constant expense and upkeep that never ends with owning a boat, any boat", again the saying 'its a hole in the ocean you never fill' seems to be the case or so I'm told.
 
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I was definitely not thinking about that when posting but In terms of web creation and web editing, I could do that. The idea would be that I would receive via email the text and photo and would take care of editing and posting. But don't know if any others interested ;)

Regarding buying a boat, I suppose it also depends of where you are. I am in the SF Bay , and I have started looking for a liveaboard sailboat, basically similar list of requirement as you have. In case anybody from the SF Bay is listening...? :)
 
From the looking I've done so far, its an exhausting effort.
I've found Florida has nothing but junk at asinine asking prices.
People down here (from what I've seen), just don't take care of what they have then they seem to think they have gold when its time to sell it.
 
Finding the right 30-35 sail boat is dificult task.The popular yachts from 30-35 are Ontario 32, Hunter 33,Aphrodite 101 etc
 
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In all honesty, after some long thought, buying one for myself might not be such a good decision after all.

I know I've said this before but its the fear of the cliché becoming real "the hole in the water you never fill", and with millions of them out their just sitting on the market for many years (some 5 years or more), that just won't sell, I sweat that after some years of ownership eventually if I did decide to sell it, I'd end up with a big white elephant I can't sell without taking a beating.

Some I've met have actually lost money in that the boat has been sitting on the market so long combined with the marina and upkeep costs, they have actually lost more money than even if they got asking price for the boat right now.

My only regret is having one was always a dream of mine but I fear from what I've discovered it could turn into a nightmare.
 
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Wavedancer,
From you own experience... what would you say are the biggest drawbacks or worst part you've experienced yourself from owning one?
 
Wavedancer,
From you own experience... what would you say are the biggest drawbacks or worst part you've experienced yourself from owning one?
My boat measures 14 ft, but has given me much pleasure (and has taught me a lot about sailing).
 
Oh.. I assumed you had one in the length I was looking at getting.
I think I'm just trying to face up to all the bad things I can expect, that way I can concentrate on the good things.
 
Buying a big sailboat means you are buying the need for paying docking/mooring fees.

Really if you won't use it OFTEN, you are probably better off renting one when you need/want it.
There are dozens of "permanently docked" sailboats at the local marina. Many haven't moved since I moved to the area in 1999.
Those are definitively holes in the water demanding to be filled with money. Just sitting there, they require regular maintenance to prevent them from sinking.
One local marina has several that the owners just gave up... Abandoned in place. Maintenance not kept up and they'd cost more than they are worth to make them able to be sailed again. One is for sale for essentially the cost to have it trailer-ed to your location for commencing rehab...

You have to go look at the boat at least monthly (preferably weekly or more) to ensure it is not filling with water and sinking at the pier. Bilge pumps fail...
You also need to keep an eye on the mooring lines.

Join a yacht club that has boats you can rent.
Get their training and certifications.
If you don't end up renting the boat(s) often... you don't need to buy one.

If you end up renting one every week for a year, it might pay off to buy.
You'll have a better idea of what issues to look for yourself and what type boat you like to sail.

A smaller boat is more convenient and can be stored under a "carport" in your back yard. Good for keeping the sailing skills sharp. If you won't take the small one out regularly, you won't take the larger one out either.
"Buy small.. rent big" might be an option.

Nope... I won't be buying a boat bigger than is convenient to tow for a day on the lake and then take it home in the evening.
 

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