New here but... We have been looking for a sailboat for a while. Started with one in a slip and then decided with kids still in high school it would be better to trailer. Initially, we were set on a McGregor 26s until we look at one and now we have finally found a Hunter 260 in our area. I am excited just to be able to view one! The boat we are looking at is a 2004 with several upgrades but the price is 29K...what are your thoughts on pricing? It is alot of money for us so any feedback on what to look at would be helpful. It has only been in fresh water which I see as a positive. Thanks.
Getting ready to buy
- Thread starter csd0606
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I would say - do not rush. If you can rent boats first or go out with others who have boats and find out which one is exciting for you. You can buy an earlier year model for much less. Trailering a 26 foot boat requires a truck that can handle about 6200lb towing. Raising and lowering the mast will eat up much of your time. You may consider keeping it in the water. This will give you more sailing time. If it has a trailer with it, it will make it easier to sell. Where is your sailing area. This boat is not suitable for ocean sailing. It is a bay or lake sailing boat. I have already been through all that. Your dream yacht is the next one that will arrive in 5 years. Have fun.
There are a lot of very nice boats on the market for a whole lot less than $29k. Don't be seduced into thinking any one boat is a "must have". There is always another that you will like even better. Also, be mindful that the purchase price of any new boat is just the beginning the money you will be spending. Keep some of your boat buying budget in reserve for a host of inevitable post purchase expenses.
Kind regards
Hugh
Kind regards
Hugh
For a basic evaluation go to the NADA website and use the evaluation tool. Check off all the features and you will get a guideline for a price. It is not the price you should pay, rather a comparison to see if the asking price is reasonable. I used the chart on a 260 with no features checked off and the number was a hair over $25k.
My purchasing experience was, that I found a boat I liked very much. The asking price was good, but as I looked around at other boats, I began to see layouts and features I liked more and I felt, were in my best interest. Then I listed my wants and my needs and kept looking, still keeping my so called "first choice" in mind. I had calculated what it would cost in parts and supplies to bring my first choice to the standard of what I was looking for. I let go of a lot of boats as they started to be no longer for sale. As things always do when I am patient, the right boat for my wants and needs came along at a great price.
My suggestion, keep looking and don't think the first boat you look at is the only boat available.
My purchasing experience was, that I found a boat I liked very much. The asking price was good, but as I looked around at other boats, I began to see layouts and features I liked more and I felt, were in my best interest. Then I listed my wants and my needs and kept looking, still keeping my so called "first choice" in mind. I had calculated what it would cost in parts and supplies to bring my first choice to the standard of what I was looking for. I let go of a lot of boats as they started to be no longer for sale. As things always do when I am patient, the right boat for my wants and needs came along at a great price.
My suggestion, keep looking and don't think the first boat you look at is the only boat available.
This is all very good advice. Thank you. It is hard to keep waiting. I am going to check out NADA and take a look at the boat next week. Someone ask our sailing area...Charlotte, NC (Lake Norman) and we will also take whatever boat we purchase to Oriental or Morehead some. Ocean sailing would be our choice but we very rarely can get to the coast with teens & their activities.
cdso6o
That boat probably came from a dealership that use to be in Denver, nc or my company which is now closed, American Marine & Sail Supply, Inc. If you wish to get some good advice, email me your phone number to davecondon@mindspring.com. I know the boat too well as I was heavily involved with the design, construction, introduction and the top dealer for that boat. Look forward to hearing from you.
In addition, if the boat was ever worked on by All Seasons, Tim McCrory is the yard manager and he would probably know the boat. He is excellent in his knowledge of Hunter and is one of few that I trust wholehardly.
As for the coast, I can also advise or answer your questions. I am the one you really want to talk with.
Crazy dave condon
That boat probably came from a dealership that use to be in Denver, nc or my company which is now closed, American Marine & Sail Supply, Inc. If you wish to get some good advice, email me your phone number to davecondon@mindspring.com. I know the boat too well as I was heavily involved with the design, construction, introduction and the top dealer for that boat. Look forward to hearing from you.
In addition, if the boat was ever worked on by All Seasons, Tim McCrory is the yard manager and he would probably know the boat. He is excellent in his knowledge of Hunter and is one of few that I trust wholehardly.
As for the coast, I can also advise or answer your questions. I am the one you really want to talk with.
Crazy dave condon
Who is crazy enough to buy a boat in winter?
Just saw your post. I purchased a 2006 Hunter 260 with custom cover and other goodies in January 2012 for WAY under the 29k mark you are referring to. It seems a bit on the high side. But the good news is that you are looking for a boat that can be found almost anywhere in the country so do not pass up a good deal just because it is in Podunk TN or some other place. I found that you may also be able to leverage the negotiations with the seller because the seller of a trailerable is really competing in a pretty wide arena. I gathered information from all over the country and that gave me a good indication of the market value. BTW: I really like the boat. While it does not have the stability feel in heavy weather of a keel boat, it handles Lake Michigan, where I sail, in a respectable manner. The boat also has a dedicated head which can be a desirable feature, especially with guests!
Just saw your post. I purchased a 2006 Hunter 260 with custom cover and other goodies in January 2012 for WAY under the 29k mark you are referring to. It seems a bit on the high side. But the good news is that you are looking for a boat that can be found almost anywhere in the country so do not pass up a good deal just because it is in Podunk TN or some other place. I found that you may also be able to leverage the negotiations with the seller because the seller of a trailerable is really competing in a pretty wide arena. I gathered information from all over the country and that gave me a good indication of the market value. BTW: I really like the boat. While it does not have the stability feel in heavy weather of a keel boat, it handles Lake Michigan, where I sail, in a respectable manner. The boat also has a dedicated head which can be a desirable feature, especially with guests!
I am not a fan of trailering. You need a good sized rig to tow and will probably spend as much on fuel and trailer repairs as you will on boat maintenance. You also need about 1.5 t.o 2 hrs to set up each time you use it.
If you are willing to spend $30k on the boat look at a Hunter 31 (83-87) for $20k and pay berthing fees for 4 years with the savings. Just kidding about the H31 but you get the idea.
If you are sailing in the ocean you will also be happier with a regular keel boat. Your family will also feel more secure too.
If you are willing to spend $30k on the boat look at a Hunter 31 (83-87) for $20k and pay berthing fees for 4 years with the savings. Just kidding about the H31 but you get the idea.
If you are sailing in the ocean you will also be happier with a regular keel boat. Your family will also feel more secure too.
steve Dion;
As always good advice. Now for the rest of the story. The person inquiring is from the Charlotte, NC area. Here is the poop.
Husband and wife sailed a sunfish only and have looked at many boats. They narrowed their choice to a Hunter 260 that either another company that was in the area or my company sold. I suggested they look at the boat and what to look for based on my involvement with the 260. They are going to look at the boat next weeka and get back with me as I am in North Carolina. In addiition, I have strongly suggested getting a slip for a year on Lake Norman and they know folks there as well as I do to include a dear friend of mine who probably has worked on that boat as he runs the only yard on the lake with a travel lift. In addiition, I have suggested a survey if this is the boat for them as it will be required for insurance. Since they have little knowledge, I have an instructor who use to teach my customers how to sail this boat and all systems. In addiition I will show them the ropes on trailering, mast raising/lowering, launching, and tie down. I will direct them to those they need to know at he NC coast when that happens.
In other words, they live in my turf and if you all will allow the master to help them here, I will and my cost is a cup of coffee and a handshake.
God Bless to all and Fair Winds/Happy Sailing.
crazy dave condon
As always good advice. Now for the rest of the story. The person inquiring is from the Charlotte, NC area. Here is the poop.
Husband and wife sailed a sunfish only and have looked at many boats. They narrowed their choice to a Hunter 260 that either another company that was in the area or my company sold. I suggested they look at the boat and what to look for based on my involvement with the 260. They are going to look at the boat next weeka and get back with me as I am in North Carolina. In addiition, I have strongly suggested getting a slip for a year on Lake Norman and they know folks there as well as I do to include a dear friend of mine who probably has worked on that boat as he runs the only yard on the lake with a travel lift. In addiition, I have suggested a survey if this is the boat for them as it will be required for insurance. Since they have little knowledge, I have an instructor who use to teach my customers how to sail this boat and all systems. In addiition I will show them the ropes on trailering, mast raising/lowering, launching, and tie down. I will direct them to those they need to know at he NC coast when that happens.
In other words, they live in my turf and if you all will allow the master to help them here, I will and my cost is a cup of coffee and a handshake.
God Bless to all and Fair Winds/Happy Sailing.
crazy dave condon
Very nice gesture Dave. These folks lucked out finding you and I'm sure you will steer them in the right direction.
Dave: Well I would not suggest a H'31 or any other large keel boat for Lake Norman either! But that is what I though when I bought my boat that was located on Lake Stockton.
Did you buy from Jeff Spurgeon. I remember his dad who was a dealer of buisness etiquite and ethics whom I learned so much from.
dave condon
dave condon
Yes we did. It was a nice transaction. I was just suprised that there were so many large boats on a lake that size. Jeff actually hauled the boat from Stockton, MO. to Stockton, CA.
I don't know the market in North Carolina. I do know that the base price was 20K when I bought new in 2002. 29K seems high to me.
Already there on the price but there are options on the boat I am aware of which was not previously mentioned.
Steve, If you see Jeff, tell him I said hello. I always respected him. Ask him if he ever did any midnight widel load hauling. Ha. I use to as there was hardly any traffic which can be a headache during the day. Truckers were ok with it to include police as well except for a few.
Crazy Dave Condon
Steve, If you see Jeff, tell him I said hello. I always respected him. Ask him if he ever did any midnight widel load hauling. Ha. I use to as there was hardly any traffic which can be a headache during the day. Truckers were ok with it to include police as well except for a few.
Crazy Dave Condon
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