I am a new sailer and looking at a 94-29.5 been in fresh water only and a 290 which is the better boat newer or older, this will be my first real sail boat
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
Buy what fits.
Look at what you are getting in each deal for the price. Take a look at what comparable boats of each make are selling for. If there is a better deal on one boat vs the other, that is the deal to work on. When you are making an offer, I think that most owners are ready to get beat down by about 10%. Make sure that you get a survey on whatever boat you decide to go with. When you order a survey tell the surveyor that you also need an insurance survey in the deal.
Look at what you are getting in each deal for the price. Take a look at what comparable boats of each make are selling for. If there is a better deal on one boat vs the other, that is the deal to work on. When you are making an offer, I think that most owners are ready to get beat down by about 10%. Make sure that you get a survey on whatever boat you decide to go with. When you order a survey tell the surveyor that you also need an insurance survey in the deal.
A
Andy Falls
All relative
As a 29.5 owner I can tell you that I love it. I have been aboard a 290 but never sailed one. I think your choice is relative to time and distance. The time factor being that the 295 has been out there longer, therefore older, thereby being "maybe" a little less expensive. Distance is defined as how far will you go to get the boat for the price. An older 295 that is a $3,000 haulout away may not be as good as the 290 that is close. Talk to some 290 folks, but unless the economy gets a whole lot worse (or a 356 gets real real cheap), I won't part with our 295 unless the price is right! The number of satisfied 290/295 owners may be the reason there are not too many for sale- but just in case you're interested, there is one listed at the link below. IMHO, it's cheap even if you come from NYC to get it!
As a 29.5 owner I can tell you that I love it. I have been aboard a 290 but never sailed one. I think your choice is relative to time and distance. The time factor being that the 295 has been out there longer, therefore older, thereby being "maybe" a little less expensive. Distance is defined as how far will you go to get the boat for the price. An older 295 that is a $3,000 haulout away may not be as good as the 290 that is close. Talk to some 290 folks, but unless the economy gets a whole lot worse (or a 356 gets real real cheap), I won't part with our 295 unless the price is right! The number of satisfied 290/295 owners may be the reason there are not too many for sale- but just in case you're interested, there is one listed at the link below. IMHO, it's cheap even if you come from NYC to get it!
R
Ray Bowles
Nick, We are new sailors ourselves and 1 year
ago we bought a very nice, one owner, 95 H26. It had some very nice gear added by that owner. We added additional gear, and there is the secret to getting a very nice used boat. Buy used, and used and used. We are now hard on the market to buy a 36 to 40 foot blue water boat. We decided to sell the house and boat to blue water cruise. Buying a late model boat, of a good brand, that has had 2, or, if your lucky 3, previous owners means they all have added some good gear. Most boat prices are based year of manufacture and not so much on gear. This works out fairly well as long as you have the time to look and are willing to transport a boat from out of your local area. With the downturn in the economy you could do very well at this time. Good luck and shop until your wife drops. Ray
ago we bought a very nice, one owner, 95 H26. It had some very nice gear added by that owner. We added additional gear, and there is the secret to getting a very nice used boat. Buy used, and used and used. We are now hard on the market to buy a 36 to 40 foot blue water boat. We decided to sell the house and boat to blue water cruise. Buying a late model boat, of a good brand, that has had 2, or, if your lucky 3, previous owners means they all have added some good gear. Most boat prices are based year of manufacture and not so much on gear. This works out fairly well as long as you have the time to look and are willing to transport a boat from out of your local area. With the downturn in the economy you could do very well at this time. Good luck and shop until your wife drops. Ray
J
Jane
290 vs 29.5
Definately go for the best $ deal but here are some thoughts...I have a 1996 29.5 for four years now and wouldn't trade it for anything. But when I was shoppping I did some research on the 29.5 and found that a lot of the 1994s had problems with the ports leaking. And there was something about a skeg held rudder which was changed in later models. Search the archives here for most of that information. I saw the 290 at the boat show and thought that the 290 fixed a lot of my pet peeves on the 29.5. The 290 has a midship cleat, telescoping swim ladder, did away with the line locker at the companion way (which I find to be annoying to climb up and over). And I believe the forward berth is now seperated with a bulk head so your not climbing over the dinette cushions(which are tearing at the seams) to get into.
Definately go for the best $ deal but here are some thoughts...I have a 1996 29.5 for four years now and wouldn't trade it for anything. But when I was shoppping I did some research on the 29.5 and found that a lot of the 1994s had problems with the ports leaking. And there was something about a skeg held rudder which was changed in later models. Search the archives here for most of that information. I saw the 290 at the boat show and thought that the 290 fixed a lot of my pet peeves on the 29.5. The 290 has a midship cleat, telescoping swim ladder, did away with the line locker at the companion way (which I find to be annoying to climb up and over). And I believe the forward berth is now seperated with a bulk head so your not climbing over the dinette cushions(which are tearing at the seams) to get into.
B
Bill O'Donovan
Tough call
My 29.5 fom 1995 is broken in with 4600 miles on the meter. Time and usage have led to a few stress cracks, but nothing significant. The mid-cleat on the 290 is a vital addition, but I simply reverse the boat in the slip and use the cleats next to the winches for the spring lines. I agree with the others that you have to weigh price and condition, as well as proximity. Make a list of the pros and cons of each boat, then strike out the ones that cancel each other out or that are comparatively insignificant.
My 29.5 fom 1995 is broken in with 4600 miles on the meter. Time and usage have led to a few stress cracks, but nothing significant. The mid-cleat on the 290 is a vital addition, but I simply reverse the boat in the slip and use the cleats next to the winches for the spring lines. I agree with the others that you have to weigh price and condition, as well as proximity. Make a list of the pros and cons of each boat, then strike out the ones that cancel each other out or that are comparatively insignificant.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.