My Search For A 40' Sailboat

[Ducati]

Looking for a 40' sailboat that I can live on in the Carribean during the winter months and sail back to NY in the spring.

My search has begun for an above average quality used 40' sailboat that has taken it's write-down which still retains an above demand (resale) and hopefully a higher resale value when I done with it. That boat may not exist and who knows what the value of anything will be in 10-15 years. I thought my house was a rock solid investment and look what happened.

Would appreciate your comments.

Thanks

 

[Erieau]

When you figure out the formula for that, I'd like a stock tip that's low-priced but high-value and soon-to-climb; ideally for a company that's eco-conscious and principled, and which will pay decent dividends starting next tax year.

Sorry dude, couldn't resist.

In the mean time, consider a Morgan Out Island: somewhat niche, but generally acknowledged to be of quality construction and almost always less expensive than their actual value would justify. To me, this means they'll hold their (admittedly lower) value for a long time.
I hope this investment turns out better than your house!

 

[sandpiper10471]

Not quite 40 ft., but bang for the buck you cant go wrong with the Hunter 37C.

 

[Rick D]

Lots

I think that could describe quite a few boats, but my suggestion is to look for one in the islands. That way you may get all the cruising stuff already installed and debugged.

 

[WayneH]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fishing-T-S...-Water-In-Which-Money-Is-Thrown-/220944728329

 

[kloudie1]

Lots of post charter boats down there. Well used to be sure but most would be in good enough shape to do what you're proposing.. Check out the Beany Toe Oceanus 40.. Nice comfortable boats.. Quite a few were on charter when new..

 

[jibes138]

Caliber or IP. Both move fast in the used market and hold their value after initial depreciation.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Oh Lord Jiles, I hope my better half doesn't see this. She's been breathing down my neck for an I.P. for a year. A little out of my budget.
There IS a Morgan 41 down here that I would like to procure, but it's one of those that would take a year on the hill.

 

[jibes138]

How about a pacific seacraft now built right here in Little Washington!

 

[Stu Jackson]

Ducati, you're a "regular" here, so that's a pretty funny question.

You could sail your existing boat down and sail it back and save a lot of $$.

Back to your question: you gotta be kidding, right?

 

[Ray Bowles]

Ducati, What you are trying to do is exactly what my wife and I did in 2001. We started in Georgia and worked our way down the eastern coast to Miami then back up the west coast of Florida. We looked at at least 5 boats everyday. My wife searched the net every night and we looked at what we were interested in the next day.
We looked for boats that had been for sale for quite awhile. Then we made offers, all based on having a survey. Any boats that were good we asked for at least 1 full day to look it over before a survey. This was done where ever the boat was. On the water or on the hard.
After 2 weeks we found an Island Packet 38 that was perfect. It had been for sale for quite a while by a dealer and now was offered by the owner. We bought it for 70% of what the dealer wanted. There was very little to fix and the boat didn't need anything but a dingy and a new plotter. Our thought was that a better quality boat would need less upgrade than a lower cost boat and that the boat owner would be more inclined to accept our cash offer as the boat was for sale for so long.
It worked and after 3 years we sold the boat the first day for 25k more that the orginal price and the upgrades.
Free vacation.

 

[RichH]

The Beneteau 393 would probably come closest to your 'envelope'.
Just plan carefully so you don't spend days on end beating into the 'trade winds' (thorny path) with that 'flat bottom' on a 393.

 

[CptnHappy]

Our Endeavour 40 took me and my wife safely and comfortably from Frorida to Grenada and back over a year and half period. It has 16 offshore ports and 4 hatches, all of which are critical for comfort in the tropics? Equally important, it is remarkably large inside and out for a 40 footer. The teak fit and finish inside is beautiful. 175 gallon water tankage made a watermaker unnecessary. It has been maintained by an obsessive compulsive owner. This boat cost $115,000 new in 1982 dollars (approx $240,000 today). Its is currently FOR SALE for a fraction of that price.

 

[Ducati]

No More 36.7 + It has a deep keel

Ducati, you're a "regular" here, so that's a pretty funny question.

You could sail your existing boat down and sail it back and save a lot of $$.
Back to your question: you gotta be kidding, right?

Hi Stu. Yup I'm a regular and with all that time on your hands you should have done your homework and noticed that my Beneteau 36.7 has been sold. Also the boat draws 7'3" so that would make it difficult in many parts of the Carribean.

 

[redunculous]

If you liked the bene what are your views on Hunters?

40.5 Legend is a good solid boat (to me!)

 

[Samaral]

Bene 40 Oceanis.

 

[sail7749]

please checkout 40', currently cruising in Bahama's. www.sailmarylee.com. Tell John and Mary Hi. Thanx Ducati.
Michael

 

[Rick I]

Many 40 foot production boats will fit the bill. It all really comes down to your budget. A well equipped 393 (I may be biased) will do the trick. As for a higher resale value when you're finished, not likely. Your only hope is that the economy takes off like a rocket after you buy, but there's not much hope for that.

Your best bet is a boat that's just finished cruising. More likely to have good, current cruising gear. Many folks just do it for a year or two so those boats are around ... somewhere.

If you're used to Ben 36.7, you won't be happy with an older 40 foot boat as you will find they have less room than your 36.