My evil plan has succeeded.

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Jan 1, 2006
8,008
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
This question isn't about what you or I want. Its about what this guy wants.
Why would someone who will most probably use his boat at the dock 95% of the time want a 20 to 25 year old boat? Unless its been refitted its going to need new systems. Even if the old systems work he's going to want the new stuff. He's going to want a converter/charger, a new hot water heater, AC/Heat, good batteries, a excellent santitation system, a reliable motor, alternator and on and on. Not to mention good sails, standing rigging, running rigging, a bottom that has been barrier coated and all the stuff we do to our used boats to make them ours. And on top of that, then he can put in the audio/video/computer media that suits him unless you expect him to spend his evenings studying Bowditch.
Its not the looks of the boat or even the seaworthiness. Its how suitable is the boat for the way he's going to actually use it. As for classic looks I like them too. But I'd rather live on a houseboat.
A deck salon boat affords good visibilty from the living area of the boat. This is desirable if you're couped up in this vessel all winter. Usually a boat of this genre has a accessible transom and the older designs -not. That could make a huge difference boading in winter with ice on the docks. I know because I kept my 356 at a dock and was thankful at times I didn't have to climb aboard over the gunnels.
If I buy a boat to race around the buoys with a crew of buddies that's one thing. If I want to sail a beautiful lady that's another. If I want to cruise the world yet another. If I am living aboard at a dock give me a Huntabenatalina with a deck salon, and if I have a job make it a new-ish one.
 

BobM

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Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
Shemandr really summed up what my friends final conclusions ended up being nicely.

I suppose it is also something of a plus that the 39DS is a leftover 2007 that has been in the water and to various boat shows, so hopefully he can take for granted that she floats and that most of the bugs have been worked out.

He knows that he has to fit her out over and above the cost to purchase, but they have heavily discounted the boat to the point where the price of $170K is very competitive with even 5-10 year old boats of the same size. Those boats include Hunters, Beneteau's and Catalina's so no discount to be had there. Plus, while he has looked at Benetau's he categorically refuses to look at a Hunter or Catalina. His preference, but I was on a new Catalina 42 and it is a lot of boat with strong support from a local builder.

At least in the short term the boat will be a home first, a daysailer second and a coastal cruiser third. He likes classic lines too, the Freedom 40 has very classic lines, but the added maintenance of an older boat as well as the fact that the Freedom 40's price (150 and 165K for nearby Freedom 40's and the boats are '95 and '96) is near equal to the 39DS's has swayed him. The dealer has also offered him accessories at cost, which he can roll into the loan, so he can get exactly the hardware he wants new for a few dollars more a month.

Thanks to all for taking the time to discuss this.

BobM
 
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