Did you sail your boat before you bought it? Were you content to sail another of the same model, or did you buy sight-unsailed? Were you lucky enough to charter one beforehand, bully the broker into a sail, or did the dealer/owner offer? Tell us about your pre-purchase discipline (or lack thereof) then vote in this week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
- Status
Does this count?
We're buying the boat that we learned to sail on last year. Does that count as a test sail?
We're buying the boat that we learned to sail on last year. Does that count as a test sail?
Bought in January
We bought or 2001 C36 in January. It is our first sailboat so I'm not sure we would have known what to look for. What we did do, is research. We spoke to friends that have many years of experience in sailing and gave us lots of great advice. We bought a fin keel and outfitted the boat with all the toys. We hired a cpatain for delivery and lessons. We took the boat out for our first time solo yesterday and she is a dream. You know you've got a great boat when your hired captain asks to take the wheel just for fun, and keeps remaking how sweet she sails. I can't stress enough to newbies out there that a professional captain/trainer is worth every single dime. They with deminish the frustraion factor and get you having fun sooner. The price is more resonable than you may think. Regards, Chris Hyland "Beau Jouet" 2001 C36 Hull # 1971
We bought or 2001 C36 in January. It is our first sailboat so I'm not sure we would have known what to look for. What we did do, is research. We spoke to friends that have many years of experience in sailing and gave us lots of great advice. We bought a fin keel and outfitted the boat with all the toys. We hired a cpatain for delivery and lessons. We took the boat out for our first time solo yesterday and she is a dream. You know you've got a great boat when your hired captain asks to take the wheel just for fun, and keeps remaking how sweet she sails. I can't stress enough to newbies out there that a professional captain/trainer is worth every single dime. They with deminish the frustraion factor and get you having fun sooner. The price is more resonable than you may think. Regards, Chris Hyland "Beau Jouet" 2001 C36 Hull # 1971
Absolutely...
We did both the survey and the sail test on the same day. I definitely wanted experienced and more objective eyes with me. While there was a lot that I found on my own, my surveyor more than earned his fee with both the survey and the sail test...
We did both the survey and the sail test on the same day. I definitely wanted experienced and more objective eyes with me. While there was a lot that I found on my own, my surveyor more than earned his fee with both the survey and the sail test...
Sailed a similar design
Chartered a Hunter 410 for 2 different 1 week periods and then bought a new 460. However, did get to sail near one on the Chesapeake and was satisfied with its performance compared to our old boat.
Chartered a Hunter 410 for 2 different 1 week periods and then bought a new 460. However, did get to sail near one on the Chesapeake and was satisfied with its performance compared to our old boat.
Remote Control......
We're still in the process of getting our "new" boat, as it is all being done by "remote control" - the boat is in Tacoma and we're in Utah! I made one trip to Tacoma, one day, and was able to go through the boat but not sail her. The surveyor did, and we had a LONG discussion regarding all aspects of the boat. So, we're just trusting...... And after all the sailboats I've been on, there are very few that sail so differently that the test-sail itself would make a big difference. We hope. Michael O'
We're still in the process of getting our "new" boat, as it is all being done by "remote control" - the boat is in Tacoma and we're in Utah! I made one trip to Tacoma, one day, and was able to go through the boat but not sail her. The surveyor did, and we had a LONG discussion regarding all aspects of the boat. So, we're just trusting...... And after all the sailboats I've been on, there are very few that sail so differently that the test-sail itself would make a big difference. We hope. Michael O'
Yes and No
Our first, a 78'C25 we test sailed, and bought, I still miss that boat. Then we bought a H260, and did not test sail, if we had I don't think we would have bought it. Due to the substantial difference in the sails and B & R rig, we found it to be overly tender. Our C310 we didn't test sail, but having owned a Catalina we had a better understanding of the sail plan and how it would handle, and have not been disappointed. If we ever reach the point where we move up to something larger a test sail will definitely be in the plans.
Our first, a 78'C25 we test sailed, and bought, I still miss that boat. Then we bought a H260, and did not test sail, if we had I don't think we would have bought it. Due to the substantial difference in the sails and B & R rig, we found it to be overly tender. Our C310 we didn't test sail, but having owned a Catalina we had a better understanding of the sail plan and how it would handle, and have not been disappointed. If we ever reach the point where we move up to something larger a test sail will definitely be in the plans.
Sort of
There was no wind that day but we hoisted sail and putted around. Everything worked well so I gave 'em the cash! LaDonna
There was no wind that day but we hoisted sail and putted around. Everything worked well so I gave 'em the cash! LaDonna
yes
we bought our boat from Greathouse Yachts (fred m.) in seattle my wife flew down from anchorage ak to test sail it, i wouldnt buy a boat without a test sail.
we bought our boat from Greathouse Yachts (fred m.) in seattle my wife flew down from anchorage ak to test sail it, i wouldnt buy a boat without a test sail.
Nope. The boat needed work
The mast was down and needed to be completely rebuilt. The price come down to where that was reflected.
The mast was down and needed to be completely rebuilt. The price come down to where that was reflected.
Test Drive
I can't believe how many of us buy a boat with sailing it.... I wonder if we are this easy of a sell when we buy a car. What do you think this says about us as a group?
I can't believe how many of us buy a boat with sailing it.... I wonder if we are this easy of a sell when we buy a car. What do you think this says about us as a group?
looked at it and bought it
bought our 34 over the internet. flew to annapolis from mpls with check in hand. looked at the boat, gave him a check and went home. happy as a clam ever since. craig
bought our 34 over the internet. flew to annapolis from mpls with check in hand. looked at the boat, gave him a check and went home. happy as a clam ever since. craig
VERY short test sail...
I bought my C30 "Cg2" in San Diego and had her trucked to SF bay. WHen test sailing her we motored for about a half hour to see how the engine worked and to be sure there was no overheating. We then set sail and sailed for probably no more than 20 minutes. Running the motor and feeling the steering/rudder was more important than setting sail. The owner had his broker on board and my wife and I and our broker too. It became apparent that the owner didn't know too much about sailing when he lead jib sheets on the wrong side of the stantions. I took them and led them outside and tied stopper knots in them. The sails were hauled and nobody bothered to trim them properly. I discretely did some trimming and we sailed (still not properly trimmed) for a while and I figured I wasn't going to worry about it, after all, the engine worked fine and the boat was going to sail just about as well as the sailor at the helm knew how, anyway. AFter the twenty minutes of poorly trimmed/weather helm sailing, on came the engine and down came the sails with the owner handling the jib while my broker and I flaked the main. Just as we finished tieing the main to the boom the motor abruptly stopped running. Apparently the owner, before dropping the jib, untied the stop knots I had tied ih the sheets and let them loose from the cars. While he was at the bow one sheet fell into the water and fouled the prop. He then got all excited and ran back to the stern trying to pull the sheet free. Meanwhile, the jib he abondoned on the foredeck fell partially overboard and wrapped itself around the keel. All this happened with two yacht brokers and (at least one) experienced sailor on board. We got towed into the marina. The wife and I flew home after we told our broker we wanted the prop, prop shaft and jib checked for damage. Two days later, after arriving hom in the SF bay area we were informed by out broker all was ok. We made a second offer of $1,000 less than our original offer based on that little test sail fiasco. The owner took it without a second thought. Our broker said there was no way the owner was going to go out on a test sail again! That test sail saved us a thousand bucks. Chris
I bought my C30 "Cg2" in San Diego and had her trucked to SF bay. WHen test sailing her we motored for about a half hour to see how the engine worked and to be sure there was no overheating. We then set sail and sailed for probably no more than 20 minutes. Running the motor and feeling the steering/rudder was more important than setting sail. The owner had his broker on board and my wife and I and our broker too. It became apparent that the owner didn't know too much about sailing when he lead jib sheets on the wrong side of the stantions. I took them and led them outside and tied stopper knots in them. The sails were hauled and nobody bothered to trim them properly. I discretely did some trimming and we sailed (still not properly trimmed) for a while and I figured I wasn't going to worry about it, after all, the engine worked fine and the boat was going to sail just about as well as the sailor at the helm knew how, anyway. AFter the twenty minutes of poorly trimmed/weather helm sailing, on came the engine and down came the sails with the owner handling the jib while my broker and I flaked the main. Just as we finished tieing the main to the boom the motor abruptly stopped running. Apparently the owner, before dropping the jib, untied the stop knots I had tied ih the sheets and let them loose from the cars. While he was at the bow one sheet fell into the water and fouled the prop. He then got all excited and ran back to the stern trying to pull the sheet free. Meanwhile, the jib he abondoned on the foredeck fell partially overboard and wrapped itself around the keel. All this happened with two yacht brokers and (at least one) experienced sailor on board. We got towed into the marina. The wife and I flew home after we told our broker we wanted the prop, prop shaft and jib checked for damage. Two days later, after arriving hom in the SF bay area we were informed by out broker all was ok. We made a second offer of $1,000 less than our original offer based on that little test sail fiasco. The owner took it without a second thought. Our broker said there was no way the owner was going to go out on a test sail again! That test sail saved us a thousand bucks. Chris
40.5 looked so good, bought it in 45 minutes
I went to a boat show looking for some mugs, or other minor items. Saw the 40.5, and after inspecting the mechanicals, bought it on the spot. Best decision. Great boat from a class act company.
I went to a boat show looking for some mugs, or other minor items. Saw the 40.5, and after inspecting the mechanicals, bought it on the spot. Best decision. Great boat from a class act company.
Sight unseen
I had a Columbia 24 Contender that was a bit too tender for the bride and my liking (mostly mine). As a member of the CYOA list, I came into contact with a gentleman who had a 1978 H-27 that was not as responsive as he liked. I, on the other hand, wanted a larger boat that was not so tender. He was in New Jersey, I in Florida. We negotiated for several weeks and finally came to an agreement. His boat and $xxxx plus the shipping for my boat. Note, please that $xxxx was peanuts! I arranged for a shipper, hauled and loaded the Columbia in a flat-bed truck, shipped her to New Jersey, unloaded her, reloaded the H-27 and launched my new pride and joy a week after starting the shipping arrangements. No test sail. No survey. Just a huge amount of trust for the guy that I had met on the internet. Results? My "new" boat is GREAT, he LOVES the Columbia and the best part is he's my best buddy now. I guess in these times of scams, I got really lucky. But isn't that the way it's supposed to be in our sailing community? Neil Smith Ciao Bella, 1978 H-27
I had a Columbia 24 Contender that was a bit too tender for the bride and my liking (mostly mine). As a member of the CYOA list, I came into contact with a gentleman who had a 1978 H-27 that was not as responsive as he liked. I, on the other hand, wanted a larger boat that was not so tender. He was in New Jersey, I in Florida. We negotiated for several weeks and finally came to an agreement. His boat and $xxxx plus the shipping for my boat. Note, please that $xxxx was peanuts! I arranged for a shipper, hauled and loaded the Columbia in a flat-bed truck, shipped her to New Jersey, unloaded her, reloaded the H-27 and launched my new pride and joy a week after starting the shipping arrangements. No test sail. No survey. Just a huge amount of trust for the guy that I had met on the internet. Results? My "new" boat is GREAT, he LOVES the Columbia and the best part is he's my best buddy now. I guess in these times of scams, I got really lucky. But isn't that the way it's supposed to be in our sailing community? Neil Smith Ciao Bella, 1978 H-27
bought without even taking out the sails
The boat looks like new. And has a great design. 1996 23.5 I paid $9200. Now if I can figure out what all those pulleys are for.
The boat looks like new. And has a great design. 1996 23.5 I paid $9200. Now if I can figure out what all those pulleys are for.
desperate
I was so desperate for a boat I bought my hunter 25 on first sight. Of course it was only $500 which made it a good risk to take. It was the best $500 ever spent. The boat is in great shape and came with almost everything!
I was so desperate for a boat I bought my hunter 25 on first sight. Of course it was only $500 which made it a good risk to take. It was the best $500 ever spent. The boat is in great shape and came with almost everything!
My Wife Wanted It!
She was the one that said we should buy it - a new 35 - test sail it and possibly queer the deal? I don't think so! Luckily, turned out that it's a great sailing boat - PHRF 123 and sails close to the numbers.
She was the one that said we should buy it - a new 35 - test sail it and possibly queer the deal? I don't think so! Luckily, turned out that it's a great sailing boat - PHRF 123 and sails close to the numbers.
- Status