I'm looking into buying a new sailboat

[Stu Jackson]

It ain't the main

It's the rest of the hardware, and how anyone can compare the H hardware (size and quality) with a basic C or even a B is beyond me.

 

[John]

First, as far as in-mast furler: When we got out boat (almost 10 years old at the time) it came with in-mast furling. I wasn't that crazy about it, partly because it turned out the system needed some maintenance work and as a result it was very hard to raise and lower the sail. Once I figured out what was wrong (after about 12 months), that problem was resolved. I think due to the smaller sail area and possibly the shape of the (batten-less) sail, it does sail slower. (It couldn't possibly be my sailing abilities!) However, I've always felt that if you wanted to go fast, you shouldn't have gotten a sail boat. If I were starting from scratch, I think I'd spring for the extra money and get the in-boom furler, or else get the in-mast but with the tall rig. I do like the ease of both reefing and furling the main, and my wife likes it even more.

As far as cookie-cutterness (?), here's my feelings: I learned to sail on little sailing dinghies some 40 years ago. I fell in love with sailing, but always assumed I'd never be able to do it/have a sail boat because of the path I'd chosen for my life. However, from time to time, when things weren't always going so well, I'd wander down by the marinas, or even at other times when I'd pass by a sailboat, and I'd look at those boats with a feeling of longing.

Then my life took a different turn and we were able to take on the responsibilities of having a boat. Within a month of realizing that, we got our first boat, kept it for a year, sold it and got our second one.

The boat we have isn't perfect. But it gives my wife and me a lot of satisfaction and pleasure. (Even one of our two dogs likes it.) There are lots of other boats out there that are nicer, would suit our needs even better, but when I look at them - or any other sailboat - I am reminded that I, too, have a sailboat that pretty much does what I want it to do. Seeing the most beautiful, perfect sailboat in the world just reminds me that I'm able to get out there too nowadays. I just feel good looking at other boats, no matter what they are (except if the owner has really let it go to the dogs, but that's a different matter).

So who cares if the boat looks like a lot of others or not?

 

[zeehag]

I found a "new" 2 year old boat. I was all set to close the deal and on my way home I realized it's not a "new" 2010 sailboat. It's a 2008. Never been floated nor masted. Brand spanking new. The problem I'm having is, once it gets splashed, I will then have a 2 year old sailboat. I'm at a loss for words. Is there a book that I can look in that lists used sailboat prices and see what a used sailboat in "new " condition brings? Am I being short sighted on this? What would my banker say? Skip, look, it's a two year old boat in "new " condition. How much should I bargain on the price? I have always felt that I should let the first guy take the 15 to 25 thousand dollar hit, rather than me doing it. I didn't even think about it being two years old from the start. I could use some advice on this dilemma I have gotten myself into. Thanks all,

Keep it up,
Ctskip

i am just wondering why it is that owning a 2 yr old sailboat is a big problem....did you pay 2010 price for it?? did you get a goood deal??? are you playing keeping up with the naybores!???? NO boat gets back what is put into it....EVER.....unless one is most fortunate....seems to me an older boat is a goood deal if ye get a good price--why wonder--personally, i prefer the slightly older boats---are you having to absorb the depreciation costs?? is she what you want??? i presume she is, or you would not have bought her---if she is what you were looking for and you like her, all else is moot----enjoy her and have good sailing with her and donot worry about the rest of the bs......because it is just bs.....fair winds~~~~~~_/)~~~~~~

 

[Ken Honeycutt]

H hardware

It's the rest of the hardware, and how anyone can compare the H hardware (size and quality) with a basic C or even a B is beyond me.

Stu,

Don't know if you've seen the newer H's. I'll admit my old 31 didn't have the greatest quality equipment, but the new H's have Lewmar and Harken hardware. The stainless steel arch on mine could probably support the boat upside down on the hard if needed. These new H's are solid well equiped boats.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Maybe on the bigger ones, like Mark's. I'll go back and check, but it's not only the manufacturers, but the SIZE, which is what I was mentioning.

 

[mac1840]

Ctskip,

I'll provide my insight as one of those that just bought a new 2 year old boat. The boat was the size and layout we wanted and we never had the intention or dream of having a "new boat" but the dealer demo was priced a fraction of its original price and when we wrapped up, below comparable "used" boats on the market. The upside, its all under warranty which starts when you buy it, not when it was made and we added some options we always wanted and had them dealer installed. I've crawled and stretched to pull wires and hoses on my prior boats and its nice to have someone else do it and warrant their work as part of the overall price. If its the size and style you like and the price is in line with the few 2008 used boats out there go for it. We love ours.