Sailboat hunting

Finding our Dream Vessel

For those of us enchanted by the idea of owning a sailboat, the journey of finding the right one might feel like a treasure hunt.
Here's a detailed guide on how to navigate the waters of sailboat acquisition, ensuring you find a vessel that matches your dreams and your practical needs.

Take it with a grain of salt as it is the first time for us too!

Understanding Your Sailing Dreams

Before diving into the market, define what you want your sailing life to look like:

- Purpose: Are you looking for a weekend cruiser, a long-distance voyager, or a boat for day sailing? Your intended use will dictate size, design, and features.

For us, it's all about living aboard for as long as our budget will let us. Cruising the shoreline from wherever we buy the boat, and making at least one transatlantic sail. 
So it has to be a boat above 38ft (ideally 40ft) and equipped for offshore sailing. 

- Experience Level: Your sailing skills should influence your choice.
A novice might lean towards simpler, more manageable boats, while seasoned sailors might look for something with more complexity or performance.

Nico is experienced, having navigated with his dad who owned a 28ft for years. 
I am a beginner with a hint of seasickness, so all I ask for is a bigger bedroom with an island bed so that I feel "at home".

- Budget: Sailboats vary widely in price, from small, basic used models to luxurious new yachts.
Set a realistic budget but also consider maintenance and mooring costs.

Our budget is detailed here.

Where to Hunt for Sailboats

- Online Platforms: We are browsing and setting alerts on those different websites...
Some are multilingual

leboncoin.fr
bandsofboats.com
boats24.com
yatchworld.fr
annoncesbateaux.com
boats.com

-Boat auctions:

boatauctions.com
yatchbid.com

- Brokerage Firms:

Local or specialized yacht brokers can provide personalized service, helping you find sailboats that might not be listed online. They can also offer insights into market conditions and boat history.

We went to the harbour directly, and checked out the classified ads. When you get hold of a broker, don't hesitate to interrogate him on his strategy to get you your ideal boat. 
While being at the harbour, we took advantage of that to check out real life boats and get better opinions on the size and the type of sailboat we wanted. 

- Sailboat Shows:

Attending boat shows can give you a feel for different models, meet manufacturers, and sometimes find deals on new or gently used boats.
But I'd say this is the best only if you want to buy new boats as opposed to second hand boats. 

- Social media:

Look into sailing forums, local classifieds, or even social media groups dedicated to boating where owners might sell directly. Posts on platforms like Facebook would advertise owner private sales. 
There are LOADS, this below is just a fraction of the groups!

Tips for Finding Your Sailboat

- Research Models:
Focus on brands and models known for durability, performance, and resale value. Look for reviews, user experiences, and join discussions on platforms like sailnet.com or cruisersforum.com 

- Condition Over Everything:
When looking at used sailboats, the condition is paramount.
Check for:

  - Hull Integrity: Look for signs of osmosis, cracks, or repairs (i.e if the keel has been refitted, ask the owner/broked if the boat has touched the bottom, this risks damaging the structure of the boat)

  - Sails and Rigging: Age and condition can significantly affect performance and cost.
For a cruiser, main sail and genoa could be kept 7 to 10 years. 
If you need to replace them, a mainsail could cost from 2500 usd to 10kusd for high performance.
While the genoa could be from 5000 usd to 9k usd. 

Standing rigging, these could last you 10 to 15 years. Cost for replacement ranges from 5 to 10k usd
While the Running rigging lasts 3 to 7 years. The cost for replacement would be 1700 to 4k usd. 

  - Engine: For sailboats with auxiliary power, the engine's health can be a major deciding factor.
So check the engine hours. We are targetting 3000-5000h max, unless it s a refitted engine. 

- Survey: Never buy without a professional survey. This can uncover hidden issues that might not be apparent during a casual inspection.

Pre-purchase survey costs between $20 to $35 per foot. 

- Test Sail: If possible, take the boat out for a sail. This is the best way to judge how it feels under your command. In France, some of the brokers include it in the sales. (Private skipper to take you out with the boat)

- Negotiation: Be prepared to negotiate. Understanding the market value of similar boats will give you leverage. But in some cases, boats could be negotiated up 30% down on their original price, depending our eager the owner is to sell. 

-VAT paid: If you are from the European Union, like us, and planning to register your boat within the EU, ensure the VAT has been paid.
Ask the broker to provide proof of this payment, or else you might have to pay the hefty 20% tax yourself if customs checks you.

If a boat with EU VAT paid status leaves the EU for more than three years, it may be necessary to pay VAT again upon its return to the EU.

This is due to the loss of 'Union goods' status, although specifics can depend on individual circumstances like ownership changes or significant modifications to the boat.

Final Considerations

- Location: Where you plan to keep the boat can influence your choice. Consider marina costs, the availability of services, and the local sailing environment.

Places where you can find the best deals are locations where cruisers finish their ocean crossing/journey, like in New Zealand or the Carribeans. 

- After-Purchase: Think about ongoing costs like insurance, maintenance, and upgrades. We did include the upgrade costs into the overall budget to compare everyboat we considered to make an offer on. 
A boat might be a bargain now, but if it requires significant investment to be seaworthy, reconsider.