I think you need to examine what you intend to use the boat for. Are you going to go daysailing, overnighting, weekending, coastal cruising, passagemaking? Where are you going to sail? What is the depth of the waters you will be sailing in? Will you be racing? How many people do you intend to have on board? Besides buying a boat, you have to keep it some where, maintain it, have insurance, etc. This all adds to the cost of owning a boat. Need new sails? Sails on a 50+ footer are expensive. If money is no object, then cost might not be an issue. If you are going to do some passage-making and stay on board for long periods of time, then you need fuel and water capacities to last between stops where you can replenish. If you sail in Florida and the Bahamas, then you need a shoal draft (no more than 5.5 or 6.5'). If you are going to sail offshore, then you need a boat that is built well enough to withstand the rigors of mother nature when things get rough. I am not sure what the larger Beneteaus are like, but I have seen some where they really are stingy with some of the gear they use, or don't use. I remember one owner frustrated over his shower sump not draining. It turned out that there was a system of valves manifolded together and one pump to several jobs. You had to turn off all the functions you didn't want to use and turn on the valve for the sump in the shower to make it work. If all or too many valves were open, then there was not enough suction to even drain the shower sump. The dealer forgot to mention that to the new boat owner. There should be a pump for each function rather than keeping the price of the boat down by using only one pump and an elaborate valve system (which fell apart in my hands when I touched it). There should be access panels to all parts of the vessel so you can get at wiring, plumbing, etc. Sometimes there are fiberglass pans installed within a hull which provide no access to anything running between the hull and the pan. Boats are classified as offshore coastal or inland, etc. Make sure you buy a boat that is built for the task. Your life may depend on it. The method of construction varies for each classification. Many manufacturers of more inexpensively built boats, such as Beneteaus, Hunters, Catalinas, etc. offer reasonable base pricing with a host of equipment that seems adequate. But then often you will see that they have engine upgrades, winch upgrades, travelers and other options that you really might want which raise the price of the vessel considerably. Use this sort of concept for comparing other vessels which might be priced higher, but actually have the gear installed that you really want. After a close comparison, you might find that they aren't so reasonable after all and you still have a boat with generally no better quality, if quality is what you need. Many boats are beautiful inside, but don't sail very well. How important is this to you? If you have a slow boat or a boat that doesn't point very well (winged keel), then that might not be too good for passagemaking where you want to get to landfall more quickly. Regarding beauty below, does it have the berth and cabin layout needed for the type of sailing you intend to do with the amount of people you will have on board. Perhaps two heads suits you better than one. A good functional galley is important if you are going to cook all of your meals on board. Sailing in hot climates? Air conditioning might be important just like cabin heat would be in colder climates. Are there good opening ports for decent cross ventilation in all cabins? How is storage on board? Some boats have beautiful aft thwart staterooms, but that could eliminate important cockpit storage lockers where you need to put gear. Is the cockpit designed for cocktailing or offshore use? If you are in some nasty weather situations, can you move about the cockpit easily and safely? Is there adequate protection from the elements? Are the scuppers big enough to get rid of water collecting in the cockpit? Is the bridge deck high enough to keep water from pouring below? Are the companionway drop boards sturdy and strong enough to withstand the worst conditions? If you are not going to be in such conditions (inland or coastal daysailing, for example, then these things might not be important to you). A 51-footer is a big boat and has big sails. Is there an in mast furling mainsail and headsail furling system? Or, if a conventional mainsail and mast, is there an electric winch to hoist up the heavy mainsail? Are lifeline stanchions and cabling adequate to withstand a crew member being tossed against them in rough seas? Can you move about the deck safely, with adequate hand rails, footing, jack lines, etc.? What about electronics? What about battery power? I guess I am considering the worst situations. You just want to consider what you will be doing with the boat and where you will be sailing. Not just if it has blisters, moisture (which are important, of course) or a cool stereo system.
Thanks guys.
