Hello Sailors, I am looking at a 1983 Commodore 26 sailboat. I cannot find any significant info on this boat or reviews as to it's integrity. Can anyone verify that this boat is a worthy craft to invest in? I am currently sailing an O'Day 222 and want to get more headroom and sleep room. Thank you for any info....Randall
Is a Commodore 26 a Good Investment?
- Thread starter mccadamsoday
- Start date
Among my top ten investments was a brand new, top quality hot tub. It was very expensive. I left it at the house when I moved, so I didn't get a dime for it when I was done with it. So why was it such a great investment? I got enormous amounts of pleasure and therapeutic benefit from that hot tub. So what if I didn't get any monetary return? The non-monetary benefits were priceless and I still recall many of the highlight moments.
So, will a 1983 Commodore 26 sailboat be a good investment for you? Only you can make that assessment and even then, you'll have to pay your money and take your chances.
So, will a 1983 Commodore 26 sailboat be a good investment for you? Only you can make that assessment and even then, you'll have to pay your money and take your chances.
TMI! TMI!
I know what you mean. I just couldn't resist that whole hot tub humor thing
Hopefully someone knows about these boats. I looked for a Practical Sailor review. If the boat fits your sailing expectations and isn't an unusual money drain (I did say unusual) then go for it.
If you are asking if, among other boats in her class, is a Commodore 26 worth the money, it will all depends on her sale condition, not sail condition. There is plenty of data on these boats and they are pretty, shallow draft and look, at least by their bottom shape, like they sail well. Take your prospective boat for a test sail to be sure.
I don't think you are really asking if these boats will hold their value for resale or if sailing is a good financial investment. Those answers are always going to be, it depends, and NO! But you have been around long enough to know that already.
-Will (Dragonfly)
I don't think you are really asking if these boats will hold their value for resale or if sailing is a good financial investment. Those answers are always going to be, it depends, and NO! But you have been around long enough to know that already.
-Will (Dragonfly)
According to sailboatdata.com (http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=7377) the boat was based off of the COLUMBIA T-26. Another earlier version was the HORIZON 26. So maybe you will have more luck if you search under those names. I also found this on the cruisers forum
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f47/commodore-26-info-27402.html
Good luck.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f47/commodore-26-info-27402.html
Good luck.
I have to assume you never heard the phrase a boat is a hole in the water that you just keep dumping money into? If you are assuming that the investment is for pleasure then yes it's a good investment if the boot fits your particular needs. But don't count on it as a financial investment few if any boats are.
If I had written: "I got enormous amounts of pleasure and therapeutic benefit from that SAILBOAT", would you have thought to write "TMI!"? I'm guessing not, and if I'm right, then you may have revealed more about yourself than you may have intended to share.TMI! TMI!
I know what you mean. I just couldn't resist that whole hot tub humor thing
Well, interesting and varied answers to say the least. I didn't mean to use too many words that would cloud up the issue of "investing" in a boat. I guess they were the wrong words to use. Thanks to you who did give some helpful info. Happy sailing...
Two years later...I bought the Commodore 26 and am soooooo glad I did. It has been such a big step up from the O'Day 222. It is made of real solid materials and sails so easy with good speed. The 6 foot head room has been a blessing. I trailer it back to my home each winter and clean it up and get it ready for the next year's sailing. Anyone who is wondering if the Commodore 26 is a good "investment" as a sailing rig, it is. I know because I own one. And btw, it IS a better investment than a hot tub. I've had one of those to. Alan Payne knew what he was doing. Fair winds to all...
No 36 year old fiberglass boat is a good investment. Even if you didn't put a dime into it beyond the purchase price when you buy it, it is unlikely that you will recoup the money you invest.
Consider the loss in owning an old, small, glass sailboat the cost of the pleasure you'll get from sailing it and owning it. However, if you can't maintain the boat and have to hire professionals to do it, it'll probably be too costly to make it worth it at all. Then consider dockage or mooring fees, insurance, winter storage and new sails and running rigging now and then, and even a small boat can become a pretty costly investment.
Consider the loss in owning an old, small, glass sailboat the cost of the pleasure you'll get from sailing it and owning it. However, if you can't maintain the boat and have to hire professionals to do it, it'll probably be too costly to make it worth it at all. Then consider dockage or mooring fees, insurance, winter storage and new sails and running rigging now and then, and even a small boat can become a pretty costly investment.
Investment in something that gives you enjoyment = pleasure
An investment is something you expect a greater return on, i.e. Fun , family and friends. Happy sailing
Thanks for the follow-up on your original thread, a future prospective Commodore 26 owner will appreciate your input.
Sounds like it turned out to be a great investment!
Sounds like it turned out to be a great investment!
in·vest·ment/inˈves(t)mənt/
noun - the action or process of investing money for profit or material result.
So, I would have to say that NO boat is a good investment, unless you are able to make a living with it.
Can it be a good source of pleasure, learning, skill building, etc. Yes.
Can it costa lot (both in terms of time and $$$$)? Yes
Greg
noun - the action or process of investing money for profit or material result.
So, I would have to say that NO boat is a good investment, unless you are able to make a living with it.
Can it be a good source of pleasure, learning, skill building, etc. Yes.
Can it costa lot (both in terms of time and $$$$)? Yes
Greg
I get that you mean "buy" rather than "invest in".
So, is it a good boat? I sure don't know, as I haven't even heard of them. Looks like it's based on the Columbia 26, as you've likely already learned. Another Columbia derivative was the Watkins line of sailboats. Those Columbia molds really got around.
Is the boat you're looking at a swing keel? Do you need a swing keel? Personally, I wouldn't buy a swing keel, unless I absolutely needed the reduced draft. Less for me to worry about and maintain. YMMV.
If you're unable to get any owner reviews, or other evidence as to it's integrity, and you have performed a thorough inspection of the boat, find the best surveyor you can, and communicate that in addition to wanting to know if the boat is sound, you'd like an opinion on the overall build quality as compared to other production boats of the era.
It appears that the headroom is enhanced by having the cabin sole extra low, and I'd want to know if that was done at the expense of bilge volume.
The rarity of the boat would figure into what I was willing to pay. I always like to imagine myself selling the thing that I'm thinking of buying, and ask myself if I'd want to be in the position of selling it for X dollars. I'd be looking for a little lower price as compared to an O'day, Catalina, etc., as any potential buyers would be in the same quandary as you.
So, is it a good boat? I sure don't know, as I haven't even heard of them. Looks like it's based on the Columbia 26, as you've likely already learned. Another Columbia derivative was the Watkins line of sailboats. Those Columbia molds really got around.
Is the boat you're looking at a swing keel? Do you need a swing keel? Personally, I wouldn't buy a swing keel, unless I absolutely needed the reduced draft. Less for me to worry about and maintain. YMMV.
If you're unable to get any owner reviews, or other evidence as to it's integrity, and you have performed a thorough inspection of the boat, find the best surveyor you can, and communicate that in addition to wanting to know if the boat is sound, you'd like an opinion on the overall build quality as compared to other production boats of the era.
It appears that the headroom is enhanced by having the cabin sole extra low, and I'd want to know if that was done at the expense of bilge volume.
The rarity of the boat would figure into what I was willing to pay. I always like to imagine myself selling the thing that I'm thinking of buying, and ask myself if I'd want to be in the position of selling it for X dollars. I'd be looking for a little lower price as compared to an O'day, Catalina, etc., as any potential buyers would be in the same quandary as you.
I have an 84 Horizon T26 inboard and have spent the last 2 years restoring her. I simply love this boat and my investment relates to personal enjoyment vs any resale value. I am not sure of how much money I have dropped into her as I always throw out my receipts and fail to keep tabs. But the enjoyment of making old look new again and the countless days of sanding and sanding and sanding on her in the local yard (Anacapa) with like minded people are priceless (well, maybe not the sanding so much). Not to mention that she sails well, as well.
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