Scheduled to look at this 310...opinions?

[swampcreek]

As Catalina 310 owners, do you have any advice, concerns or comments on this boat? I know not to go for asking price but what would be a good initial offer? This is our first time buying a boat for this kind of money so naturally we're nervous. The most I ever spent on a boat was 10K! This is 6 times that price!

http://www.annapolisyachtsales.com/sales/brokerage-yachts/

So does it look like a decent deal?

Thanks in advance!

 

[gpd955]

Without looking at the boat and seeing the condition and owner modifications it's hard to say what kind of offer you should make.

I will say that I bought a 2000 310 (#0045) in Maryland three years ago. It had some excellent owner mods (that I didn't know about at time of offer) and was in better than excellent condition. The price I paid was in the area of the asking price on the boat you're looking at. The asking price on mine was a bit higher.

Some things I got with mine:
Cruisair air conditioner, TV stand, cocktail table, anchor sail, 2 anchors (bruce and danforth) helm seat, Raymarine ST4000+ autohelm, 3 sets of companionway hatch boards (plexi, solid, screen), electric flush toilet and tons of spare parts just to name a few. The PO also made some good modifications to the fresh water plumbing system and other systems on the boat. I also have never had a drop of water in the bilge, except when I put it there to test the bilge pump and none of the portlights, chain plates, hatches and stanchions leak.

The 310 is a fantastic boat and she sails great. We basically live on her during the summer and sail several times per week. If you buy the boat and it's in good shape, you will not regret it.

If you have any questions during the decision process feel free to PM me or post them.

 

[valcour]

I used a broker from AYS (Tim Wilbright) six years ago when I bought my 310, and was very happy with their service. A broker can pull up recent sales (asking prices and selling prices) you can use as comparables as you decide. Many 310s of that vintage will have full electronics (speed/depth/wind/autopilot/GPS) which this boat may not have, but it also has a full bimini/dodger/connector which are desirable on the Chesapeake bay this time of year. I recommend you hire a surveyor to evaluate the boat prior to purchase. Check the chain plates for water damage, and compare the equipment provided (such as the 135% jib vice a 155%) if you expect to sail in light airs on Chesapeake bay before you make a decision.

 

[rukidn]

We bought a 2004 C310 in April and absolutely love it. I highly recommend a survey. My surveyor spent 6 hours on the boat and I learned a lot during the process. I was able to fix everything myself. My boat had sat for a year so mildew, broken electronics, a lot of cleanup but very solid. We are new to sailing, out first boat after a lot of shopping.

Based on what we learned in survey we were able to negotiate a significant reduction off asking price.

 

[New Horizons]

We bought our 2004 about 3 years ago. We paid a little more than that asking price, so that price is probably in the ballpark. As others have said, get a surveyor, and pay for one that is very experienced. It will save you money in the long run.

The 310 is a great boat. Lots of fun to sail and fun to just relax on in a nice anchorage.

 

[Witzend]

We hired a professional and he missed some very serious problems that were built into the boat from day one. The strut was miss-aligned, and the damper plate was incorrectly sized and making a racket. After fixing these PIA problems myself, we have enjoyed the boat. Ours was bought from AYS (Tim) as well. Although he really messed up closing, not sure I would ever buy a boat from them again. We paid 64.5K for the boat in Aug 2008 some nice options that I would not have been able to install, Roll furlow main and cruise air A/C. Note I would be supprised if this boat really only draws 4'4". I believe it really draws 4'10" call them out on this.

 

[Long Story]

Yes, check the draft. I was attracted to the 4'-4" draft but seeing the boat out of the water it did not look that shallow. A call to Catalina confirmed that the boat is in fact 4'-10" draft. Now 6" might not seem like a lot, but this season on the great lakes it is giving us issues with getting in and out of our marina. My 2001 has all the equipment listed in the other responses, except no furling main. Listing price was high, but settled purchase price ended up at $65.5k (freshwater boat) purchased last spring. You will love the boat.

Russ

 

[jonfreeman]

I bought my 2000 C-310 almost 4 years ago, and paid $10K+ more than the asking price on this one. The batteries were not caught in the survey, as everything worked great on test sail day. They were shot. OK - 8 years, not bad, not terribly expensive ($350). The sails were original, and I replaced them last year ($3300). The surveyor was excellent, but so was the boat. The previous owner kept it in pristine order (head was never used!), and though not perfect, it was in darn nice shape.

Prices vary from east to west coast. On the west coast, we pay a little more, reportedly. Stories as to why mention shipping costs (from Florida now for Catalinas), climate (supposedly, boats fare better here in Puget Sound), and market values. The prices HAVE come down since I bought, so prices appear similar now.

Mine came with roller furling jib and Dutchman main (full batten), Garmin GPS, full set of cushions, a dodger, an Autoprop ($$$), and was ready to sail. Had to bottom paint two years ago, and I added a bimini and hydronic heat since acquiring her. We have sailed her bunches, and motored approximately 100 hours per year. My damper plate is probably shot (making noises), and the shaft seal probably should be replaced, but I am completely satisfied and pleased with my 310.

I believe you will be too, assuming no major issues. However, even THOSE can be addressed in the sales process. Make your offer contingent on a survey and mechanical assessment. Hire your own experts (get references), and if something comes up, DON'T hesitate to counter offer a price lower by the amount to fix the discrepancies. Be prepared to walk away, but also be aware the current owner KNOWS what the boat's issues are (if any). He is hoping you won't find them, and you may still miss one or two.

In the end, you will have the boat you want, whether it is this one or one like it. Go BOLDLY! $60K is a lot of money for most anyone, so it's OK to be tough.

My 2 cents.

Jon Freeman
C-310 "Summer Sojourn"
Tacoma, WA

 

[swampcreek]

Well we're going today to view some boats with Annapolis Yacht Sales, as stated the 310 really looks like the ticket but we will be viewing others as well. I have our Mac 26S advertised here as well plus a few other places, hopefully I won't be juggling 2 boats at once. Spending this much on a boat is starting to freak me out. My Wife and I both have great jobs and low bills so I guess we stand better than the majority of boat owners but I have never spent over 10K for a boat. I hate being in dept so thats why our bills are low, this will change things. I justify it as we will have a home on the water and it's portable! Looking at it that way is a little more comforting.

We'll probably sell our H-16 as well.

 

[anchorclanker]

Some say never finance toys. Not sure that applies to a live aboard boat, as you qualify for certain tax breaks claiming it as a second home similar to RV purchases, but outright ownership, paying cash, has some good advantages as well. After the housing crash, and being heavy in debt, I dont want to finance anything ever again. Debt free for me, just like my Daddy tried to teach me. But thats me, and im not you.

It doesnt take long here, if you read everything, to learn you need to move cautiously. On something that pricey, especially, it pays to take your time to see as much of whats available before you strike.

 

[swampcreek]

We liked the 310 the best out of the boats we saw today, so we'll see...

 

[swampcreek]

We made an offer on the 2000 310 and they countered with a price we can live with. BUT we haven't excepted yet, we want to look at 2 more 310's, a 2004 and a 2006, both decked out the 06 has the Dutchman main. The 04 is 79,999, the 06 is 79,000. The broker reports both will only co to 75000. The 06 is tempting bit I'm afraid it might be overpriced. I think it might be possible to bring these closer to 70K but who knows....Hard decisions...

 

[swampcreek]

Results of our hunt so far.

1. 310, 2000. 216 hours on engine, 2 port lights broke, exhaust hose skin loose (Overheating maybe, pluged riser?). Owner told broker he's aware of broken port lights and didn't state if he'll do anything about it. Boat appears dirty and unkept. If the owner is this carefree about the condition of his boat I feel we should stay away. Asking price 63K, we offered 48K, counter price by owner 57,500. (Afraid it might be a project boat, so it's about off our list of possibilities)

2. 310, 2004 BEAUTIFUL! Main furling, Air conditioning, custom swinging companionway hatch, halled up and shrinkwrapped every Winter and it shows, shiney beautiful boat, engine hours 260 (approx.). No dinghy. Asking price $79,999, broker reports owner will not go a penny below 75K although we have made no official offer.

3. 310 2006, Very nice with airconditioning. It's not as clean as the 2004 and not as many options such as microwave, no rear grab bar, no in mast furling (Non of these are big issues to us). boat is a little chalky and a hatch handle in the cabin needs reglued. The dodger and bimini are stored away...we think. broker states boat was pulled each Winter. 155 hours on engine (approx.) Biat has roll up dinghy and small outboard but broker reports that owner is keeping it as a bargaining chip (What ever that means). Asking price $79,000, again broker reports owner might go as low as $75,000, again we have made no offer.

I was almost ready to offer on the 2004 or 2006 (Torn between the 2)when I looked around the internet and saw that these were about the highest priced 310's in the country, on top of that from a asking price/actual sell pricesheet that I have obtained from a very fine gentleman here in cyberspace, these owners (as reported by the broker) are only willing to reduce the price by 6%. The average reduction last year was 13%, the total average reductions for the last 4 years is 11%. Do I have unreasonable expectations to think these boats should be obatainable at 70K? Is 70K in the ballpark or is even that too high? Again, we have made no formal offer yet but we're only going on what the broker is telling us, if the owner saw it in writting he might go for it. As owners of these boats, what do you think?

I'm going copy and paste this since we have moved from considering a 310 to actively shopping. I hope this doesn't break any rules...

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

One thing we ran into was the previous owner had a lowest price number in his head. This was his walk away for nothing number, meaning that he owed the bank a lot still on the note from the purchase plus the cost of the commission to the broker (10%). So if he sold the boat below that number, he would have to put cash from his pocket in to pay off part of the note.

I suspect you may be dealing with a similar situation on the 2 newer boats. We made our offer and he counter offered back to that walk away number and told the broker that was as low as he would go. We said no, too high and told our broker to start setting up appointments with other boats. When the previous owner heard we said no and were looking again, he accepted our offer.

Just our experience, thought it may help.

Also, make them list out the equipment it will come with. When we initially viewed ours it had all kinds of good stuff with it that the previous owner pointed out during our first time on the boat. Stuff like jack lines and harnesses, good life jackets, extra cushions and nice barometer on the bulkhead. When it came time to take possession, all that stuff was gone. I felt ripped off because he showed us that stuff like it was coming with the purchase. So get it in writing.

Good luck.

 

[Witzend]

Yea, the P.O. had listed 2 inflatables L.J. and when we took possession they were gone. We complained and they mailed them to us with the CO2 cartridges blown. Get it in writing and do a inspection on the setelment day before you sit down and write the check!!!!!

Also stated in the other active thread, in most cases the seller is not suppose to use the boat for pleasure once a contract is written.

Also, make them list out the equipment it will come with. When we initially viewed ours it had all kinds of good stuff with it that the previous owner pointed out during our first time on the boat. Stuff like jack lines and harnesses, good life jackets, extra cushions and nice barometer on the bulkhead. When it came time to take possession, all that stuff was gone. I felt ripped off because he showed us that stuff like it was coming with the purchase. So get it in writing.

Good luck.[/quote]

 

[swampcreek]

Thanks, I'm taking notes on all this!

 

[SceptreSailor]

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2004/Catalina-310-2501146/Norfolk/VA/United-States

 

[Stu Jackson]

If you know what you're looking for, once you find the RIGHT boat, you'll find the right #s.