Hello - new to the list. This will be a question that likely doesn't
really have any one answer (or general consensus), but I'm throwing
this out for comment to see what comes back. Pure opinion is very
welcome, of course.
I'm looking to purchase sailboat (an Albin Vega is on the short list)
and I'm stuck going back and forth between:
(a) Finding a very expensive boat that requires extensive work (I
have moderate handyman skills and I'm able to learn. I have the time
to do so - I'm not planning to circumnavigate any year soon). This
approach seems to have the advantage of initial cost savings, the
opportunity to make the boat the way I really want it to be, the
fun(?) of the project, and at the end of the day, knowing every inch
of her and her systems. There's a Vega in the U.S. (of unknown
condition) that is for sale for well under US$1,000. That would be the
extreme end of this approach.
(b) Finding a turnkey boat that has been well-used and well-cared
for. Little will need to be done before putting her in the water and
going for a sail. The primary downside to this approach is the
opposite of what I mentioned, above (i.e., initial cost being higher;
I get what someone else wanted, and I'll be less familiar with all the
systems etc). However, I'm told that in the medium to long-term this
will likely be less expensive than refurbishing a boat. Sure, the
initial cost is higher, but the previous owner wont get full value for
all the work he or she has done on the boat.
(c) Something in between. Ready to sail, but possibly without all the
electronics or fit and finish I would prefer. I can get her in the
water immediately and over the first few years do upgrades at an
affordable pace.
I'm in Toronto, Canada. Living aboard someday is a serious possibility
(I'm a minimalist at heart - but is there any way to get my motorcycle
aboard? grin). My work may also allow me several months at a time
for long-distance sailing, so that is also in the plans.
Any comments from your experiences would be appreciated.
Kevin MacTavish
really have any one answer (or general consensus), but I'm throwing
this out for comment to see what comes back. Pure opinion is very
welcome, of course.
I'm looking to purchase sailboat (an Albin Vega is on the short list)
and I'm stuck going back and forth between:
(a) Finding a very expensive boat that requires extensive work (I
have moderate handyman skills and I'm able to learn. I have the time
to do so - I'm not planning to circumnavigate any year soon). This
approach seems to have the advantage of initial cost savings, the
opportunity to make the boat the way I really want it to be, the
fun(?) of the project, and at the end of the day, knowing every inch
of her and her systems. There's a Vega in the U.S. (of unknown
condition) that is for sale for well under US$1,000. That would be the
extreme end of this approach.
(b) Finding a turnkey boat that has been well-used and well-cared
for. Little will need to be done before putting her in the water and
going for a sail. The primary downside to this approach is the
opposite of what I mentioned, above (i.e., initial cost being higher;
I get what someone else wanted, and I'll be less familiar with all the
systems etc). However, I'm told that in the medium to long-term this
will likely be less expensive than refurbishing a boat. Sure, the
initial cost is higher, but the previous owner wont get full value for
all the work he or she has done on the boat.
(c) Something in between. Ready to sail, but possibly without all the
electronics or fit and finish I would prefer. I can get her in the
water immediately and over the first few years do upgrades at an
affordable pace.
I'm in Toronto, Canada. Living aboard someday is a serious possibility
(I'm a minimalist at heart - but is there any way to get my motorcycle
aboard? grin). My work may also allow me several months at a time
for long-distance sailing, so that is also in the plans.
Any comments from your experiences would be appreciated.
Kevin MacTavish
