HI, hope I can get some help here. I am thinking about buying an 18.5 from a non-sailor who ended up with the boat as a real estate trade. He has no idea how much the boat is worth except that "somebody" told him $10,000! The bucvalu website lists it at $3950-4600 but it needs a little work and has no extras that I can see. It has a horizontal crack in the cockpit that runs about 25". I am thinking about offering $2000-2500 - any comments? The canvas looks OK and it's OK down below - needs new cushion covers, etc. Has a little outboard and trailer. Thanks for any attention out there!
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Chris Haraway
To buy or not to buy
I paid $3000 for my 1988 18.5 . It came with a motor, radio, electrical system and a few extras like lines and bumpers. I think I got a pretty good deal, but would not buy this boat again. You should seriously consider getting a Catalina 22. It sails better, trailers better, and has much broader commercial support. You may pay a bit more, but it is worth it. Having said that, we love our boat and have been very pleased with its performance. You will want to closely inspect your sails. If they are original, then they are reaching the end of their lifespan soon. Expect to pay at least $1000 for a new set. If you are serious about getting the boat, then have it surveyed before purchase. If you are not too serious, wait for a more common boat that would be easier to support and resell.
I paid $3000 for my 1988 18.5 . It came with a motor, radio, electrical system and a few extras like lines and bumpers. I think I got a pretty good deal, but would not buy this boat again. You should seriously consider getting a Catalina 22. It sails better, trailers better, and has much broader commercial support. You may pay a bit more, but it is worth it. Having said that, we love our boat and have been very pleased with its performance. You will want to closely inspect your sails. If they are original, then they are reaching the end of their lifespan soon. Expect to pay at least $1000 for a new set. If you are serious about getting the boat, then have it surveyed before purchase. If you are not too serious, wait for a more common boat that would be easier to support and resell.
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Tim Taylor
Re: 18.5
i paid $3500 for my '88 18.5 last december and i'm very pleased w/ it. it came w/ a 3.5HP motor, trailer and only a few upgrades (none electrical) but was in excellent shape for it's age. my honest opinion is that it's a great boat to learn w/ but you very quickly out-grown it. it's a nice size for a small lake like mine and since i single-hand 99% of the time i don't mind the lack of room but w/ even one passenger it gets sorta tight. if you intend to over-night very often it's pretty cramped even for 2 friendly ppl but very doable. the second thing to note is that it has a bulb keel which is nice because it doesn't leak and can be sailed in very shallow water but the drawback is that it can be pretty difficult to trailer. if you intend to leave it in the water all season as i do fine but be prepared to spend a little more time while launching and retrieving. as Chris said it's rather obscure compared to a Cat22 or similar boats so where it is less expensive to buy at first it will be more expensive to replace or upgrade gear later. don't get me wrong because i love my boat but soon i'll be looking to moveup. Tim "Carried Away"
i paid $3500 for my '88 18.5 last december and i'm very pleased w/ it. it came w/ a 3.5HP motor, trailer and only a few upgrades (none electrical) but was in excellent shape for it's age. my honest opinion is that it's a great boat to learn w/ but you very quickly out-grown it. it's a nice size for a small lake like mine and since i single-hand 99% of the time i don't mind the lack of room but w/ even one passenger it gets sorta tight. if you intend to over-night very often it's pretty cramped even for 2 friendly ppl but very doable. the second thing to note is that it has a bulb keel which is nice because it doesn't leak and can be sailed in very shallow water but the drawback is that it can be pretty difficult to trailer. if you intend to leave it in the water all season as i do fine but be prepared to spend a little more time while launching and retrieving. as Chris said it's rather obscure compared to a Cat22 or similar boats so where it is less expensive to buy at first it will be more expensive to replace or upgrade gear later. don't get me wrong because i love my boat but soon i'll be looking to moveup. Tim "Carried Away"
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Ray Bowles
Ellen, No! Unless you have some experence
with sailboats then buying from someone without any better expertice is doomed from the start. If you have the bug then spend 3 to 6 months or more learning about sailboats and accessing your wants and needs. I agree that a boat of that size you will probably outgrow in about a month. If you want a small dingy racer or such size then there are many better qualified boats at much less price. No,no,no. Ray S/V Speedy
with sailboats then buying from someone without any better expertice is doomed from the start. If you have the bug then spend 3 to 6 months or more learning about sailboats and accessing your wants and needs. I agree that a boat of that size you will probably outgrow in about a month. If you want a small dingy racer or such size then there are many better qualified boats at much less price. No,no,no. Ray S/V Speedy
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Bill O'Donovan
I agree
You could well outgrow the boat within a month. A 22 or 25 Catalina or Hunter would be much more satisfying over time, and more forgiving than 18.5. The price could run as low as $5,000 depending on the condition. Any crack running the length of the boat sounds ominous. Buying one's first boat is frustrating because of there are so many permutations of size, style, sail plan, etc. I would suggest narrowing the search by price and length, then insinuate yourself on other people's boats to get a feel for them and how they contrast.
You could well outgrow the boat within a month. A 22 or 25 Catalina or Hunter would be much more satisfying over time, and more forgiving than 18.5. The price could run as low as $5,000 depending on the condition. Any crack running the length of the boat sounds ominous. Buying one's first boat is frustrating because of there are so many permutations of size, style, sail plan, etc. I would suggest narrowing the search by price and length, then insinuate yourself on other people's boats to get a feel for them and how they contrast.
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David Feavearyear
18.5 opinion
Ellen, After seeing the various responses, I thought I might add my own. Although the 18.5 is somewhat obscure, I have found it to be a very easy boat to handle whether with a crew or solo. If you are looking for a first time sailboat, I would recommend it. Of course getting help/tips from any other more experienced sailors in your area is always a bonus. We bought the boat mainly for the kids to learn on, but actively race it also. It is a fun boat to sail and until the kids are big enough to help crew a 30 footer, it cures my itch to be on the water. Good Luck, David "Hedwig" 1992 18.5
Ellen, After seeing the various responses, I thought I might add my own. Although the 18.5 is somewhat obscure, I have found it to be a very easy boat to handle whether with a crew or solo. If you are looking for a first time sailboat, I would recommend it. Of course getting help/tips from any other more experienced sailors in your area is always a bonus. We bought the boat mainly for the kids to learn on, but actively race it also. It is a fun boat to sail and until the kids are big enough to help crew a 30 footer, it cures my itch to be on the water. Good Luck, David "Hedwig" 1992 18.5
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Mary
Is this your first boat?
I bought my 1990 18.5 in Sept. for $5,000 but it was completely restored to like new condition, had many extras including a new 6 hp motor. It's my first boat and I love it, but after about 4 weeks I started dreaming of a Hunter 22! If you're prepared to put money and time into it, I'd say make a low offer, and good luck!
I bought my 1990 18.5 in Sept. for $5,000 but it was completely restored to like new condition, had many extras including a new 6 hp motor. It's my first boat and I love it, but after about 4 weeks I started dreaming of a Hunter 22! If you're prepared to put money and time into it, I'd say make a low offer, and good luck!
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Tim Taylor
Re2: 18.5
i certainly don't want to make this into a "my boat can beatup your boat" discussion but i think the design is better than the imagine painted in this post. it's true that a Cat22 is more boat than the 18.5 but then a J30 is more boat than a Cat22. it all comes down to what you want it for and how much you're willing to pay for it. i taught myself to sail w/ the 18.5 and now that i'm a little more in the know i think it was a good choice (even if a blind one) because it's about as simple as a sloop can be. the wing keel is stable and maintance free. the cabin while not a walk-around type is great for napping or hiding from the rain. if you just want to "sail" then it's a great boat for a lake or protected salt solo or w/ a friend or 2. if you can pickup an 18.5 in good condition (good sails, intact hull and decent motor) in the $2k to 2.5k range that would seem like a pretty good deal to me. all boats need upkeep and damaged gelcoat (what i assume to be the cockpit cracks you describe) and the older the boat the more varied things to upkeep. my boat had a few flaws due to its age but they were easily repaired. read the reviews of EVERY boat and then decide. i walked around several boats before i picked mine but i knew it was the one when i first saw it. whoa, that got long. sorry. Tim "Carried Away"
i certainly don't want to make this into a "my boat can beatup your boat" discussion but i think the design is better than the imagine painted in this post. it's true that a Cat22 is more boat than the 18.5 but then a J30 is more boat than a Cat22. it all comes down to what you want it for and how much you're willing to pay for it. i taught myself to sail w/ the 18.5 and now that i'm a little more in the know i think it was a good choice (even if a blind one) because it's about as simple as a sloop can be. the wing keel is stable and maintance free. the cabin while not a walk-around type is great for napping or hiding from the rain. if you just want to "sail" then it's a great boat for a lake or protected salt solo or w/ a friend or 2. if you can pickup an 18.5 in good condition (good sails, intact hull and decent motor) in the $2k to 2.5k range that would seem like a pretty good deal to me. all boats need upkeep and damaged gelcoat (what i assume to be the cockpit cracks you describe) and the older the boat the more varied things to upkeep. my boat had a few flaws due to its age but they were easily repaired. read the reviews of EVERY boat and then decide. i walked around several boats before i picked mine but i knew it was the one when i first saw it. whoa, that got long. sorry. Tim "Carried Away"
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