Sentimental Value What's it worth?

[Sail22Capri22]

Oct 2021 I said good bye to a boat that was in the family for 21 years. Countless hours of great times cruising and beer can racing with friends and family. My plan one day is to get a bigger boat for my family and restart the cycle of sailing/cruising/beer can racing. I am a few years away from my anticipated goal to purchase such a boat. However, The Catalina 42 that my father sold 5 years ago is back on the market and the temptation to purchase it "back" is strong. My father took good care of the boat but I will admit, it took some flogging and had been at times ridden hard and put away wet. I took a look at it today and it seems to be almost just the way we left it. 5 more years older, a few things added and taken away. But much of it the same. The port lights look like they may still be leaking (thought we had the fixed prior to the sale in 21'). The bulkhead on the starboard got wet and is discolored and partially rotting. Teak and holly floor in the front stateroom needs to be replaced, and a small list goes on. Not to mention what repairs will naturally need to be done with age. So the question is do I add value for the history I have with the boat, the many harbors I have been to with it and long joyous conversations had over whisky and beer after a great nights sail with friends. Or do I look for a boat that will need less work but no memories attached?

 

[rgranger]

I'm sentimental and superstitious. If it were me, I'd take it as a sign and buy my dad's old boat.

2 cents.... worth every penny

But don't let the buyer see that desire in your eyes. Walk the price down as much as you can based upon the needed repairs and have comps in hand when you start talking turkey.

 

[Will Gilmore]

That is a question only you can answer, and you likely already know it. What do you need permission to do; act upon sentimentality, or let it go?

There is no wrong decision.

I'd buy my old family boat back, but not of it meant putting off sailing to fix all the things that are likely wrong with a 50+ year old glass over plywood schooner.

-Will

 

[rgranger]

Is it this one?

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/1999-catalina-42-mkii-10298849/

 

[dlochner]

Sentimental value only has value to you. There is no need to pay a premium to the buyer for something that is valueless to him.

Evaluate the boat dispassionately and objectively as you would any boat you would consider. If there is work that needs to be done, consider that in the pricing.

A downside to sentimental value is the frustration and anger you will have upon discovering the owner had not maintained the boat as well as your father or did stupid PO things to the boat. I think I might factor that into the asking price before adding sentimental value.

 

[Sail22Capri22]

Is it this one?

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/1999-catalina-42-mkii-10298849/

Very good. Yes

 

[thinwater]

I might keep a boat that I have good memories with. Many of us would. A boat is about how it feels to you. But I would not pay a primium to buy it back. Zero. In fact, I would use my foreknowledge of the boat to ...

1. Beat the price down a little. You know what needs fixed.
2. Reassure the seller that once you settle on a deal, you are not going to back out--you know the boat and are certain of your decision. This also loops back to point 1 (beating down the price).
3. It is the devil you know (you most likely know her problems and shortcomings--this does reduce the fear factor).

I like memories, but I also like to move on. Did I really like the design, not just the memories? For example, I might buy my last cat back because I really like the design. It was perfect for my needs at the time and I could not suggest improvements that I had not made. They do not build anything equivalent today. But If I thought less than very highly of the design, I would not buy it back.

But mostly, I change boats every 10-15 years. My needs change. Are you sure your needs have not changed? Are you sure you would not prefer a change of scenery?

 

[Sail22Capri22]

Sentimental value only has value to you. There is no need to pay a premium to the buyer for something that is valueless to him.

Evaluate the boat dispassionately and objectively as you would any boat you would consider. If there is work that needs to be done, consider that in the pricing.

A downside to sentimental value is the frustration and anger you will have upon discovering the owner had not maintained the boat as well as your father or did stupid PO things to the boat. I think I might factor that into the asking price before adding sentimental value.

I saw the boat today and met the owner. I was surprised how much was left untouched. There are objects sitting in the lazarette lockers that I swear I put in there and look like they haven't been touched since. Some of the things I noticed needing addressing to be honest needed addressing back when my Dad sold it and look like they weren't addressed.

 

[Sail22Capri22]

I might keep a boat that I have good memories with. Many of us would. A boat is about how it feels to you. But I would not pay a primium to buy it back. Zero. In fact, I would use my foreknowledge of the boat to ...

1. Beat the price down a little. You know what needs fixed.
2. Reassure the seller that once you settle on a deal, you are not going to back out--you know the boat and are certain of your decision. This also loops back to point 1 (beating down the price).
3. It is the devil you know (you most likely know her problems and shortcomings--this does reduce the fear factor).

I like memories, but I also like to move on. Did I really like the design, not just the memories? For example, I might buy my last cat back because I really like the design. It was perfect for my needs at the time and I could not suggest improvements that I had not made. They do not build anything equivalent today. But If I thought less than very highly of the design, I would not buy it back.

But mostly, I change boats every 10-15 years. My needs change. Are you sure your needs have not changed? Are you sure you would not prefer a change of scenery?

All very good points. In recent years I thought I would change of scenery and look at Beneteau or Jeanneau. But I have always loved the layout of the cabin and know the sailing characteristics of this boat. That is what keeps me drawn to it. Also the price range is obtainable at this point in my life. I know it would be a good cruising boat for my young family as it was when I grew up on it. I definitely need to take a step back a weigh my options. I should really look at some others boats to compare and make sure I'm making the right decision.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Sentimental value only has value to you. There is no need to pay a premium to the buyer for something that is valueless to him.

Evaluate the boat dispassionately and objectively as you would any boat you would consider. If there is work that needs to be done, consider that in the pricing.

A downside to sentimental value is the frustration and anger you will have upon discovering the owner had not maintained the boat as well as your father or did stupid PO things to the boat. I think I might factor that into the asking price before adding sentimental value.

I agree completely with Dave and the way he put it.

But I have always loved the layout of the cabin

I've always thought that that layout was the worst of the two: less space in the saloon and a useless galley when moving. I far prefer the galley aft to port. But of course it's your choice.

Memories are worthless in this context. I bought my boat because of its layout with an aft head and "traditional" galley. I enjoy the vast memories (28 years ) but not enough to buy a boat with maintenance and repair issues, although we do not know the extent of them without more detail. Sounds like the interim owner was lazy.

Whatever, good luck in your decision making process.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

As the saying goes, “you can’t go forward looking in the rear view mirror”.

 

[danm1]

I saw the boat today and met the owner. I was surprised how much was left untouched. There are objects sitting in the lazarette lockers that I swear I put in there and look like they haven't been touched since. Some of the things I noticed needing addressing to be honest needed addressing back when my Dad sold it and look like they weren't addressed.

Ha. Reminds me of a boat I sold 30 years ago after doing an effective but messy job of caulking around leaky port lights. Ten years later I happened across it in an anchorage and was dismayed to see my 'handiwork' still evident I couldn't believe that subsequent owners didn't have more pride than that.

 

[dlochner]

I saw the boat today and met the owner. I was surprised how much was left untouched. There are objects sitting in the lazarette lockers that I swear I put in there and look like they haven't been touched since. Some of the things I noticed needing addressing to be honest needed addressing back when my Dad sold it and look like they weren't addressed.

A few years back I changed marinas and found the first sailboat I owned sitting there. It was a Tanzer 22 and a really fun boat to sail, but not so much for cruising. As I looked the boat over I was a little dismayed at the condition, it desperately needed a washing and waxing. The mast supports I built were still being used as were the dock lines that were 30 years old. I know they were my dock lines because I recognized my splices and the leather chafe protection on them.

 

[shemandr]

Everything looks better in the rear view mirror.

 

[dLj]

A couple years ago I sailed into a port and found the exact same boat I'd owned many years before. It was really fun to see it. Also really lovely to see it had been impeccably restored and maintained. Reminiscing about all the wonderful sailing adventures I'd had on that boat was lovely. But, I just walked on, smiling with the lovely memories and zero desire to get that boat back as my current sailing needs/desires have substantially changed.

Evaluate carefully what you want in a sailboat and if you are really at the point where you want one. Then look for the best option to fulfill those needs/wants. Allow sentiments to give you smiles, but they have no place in deciding on buying a boat - just my 2 cents - worth exactly what you've paid...

dj

 

[degas]

As others have mentioned, sentimental value is from you, not the seller. As they say, fall in love with boat after you buy it, not before.

Still, I bought my Tanzer 29, my first big-for-me boat, in small part for sentimental reasons. She was built not far from where I live. I get to drive by the former factory on the way to my boat.

More importantly, I have many memories of sailing my father's Tanzer 7.5 decades ago that still give me a quiet nodding grin.

Yeah, they're different boats, but the emotional bottom line is that these reasons add to the pleasure of being on my boat. Why else do we put up with these expensive, troublesome things if it isn't for pleasure?

Success in your decision, whatever it is.

 

[rgranger]

Why else do we put up with these expensive, troublesome things if it isn't for pleasure?

It should actually read

"The most expensive way to get somewhere VERY SLOWLY for free"

 

[PaulK]

I would worry that the effort needed to put the boat back into proper shape (because of all the things the current owner neglected to do or left as they were) would make the memories turn sour. Keep the happy memories of the old boat and find a new one to move forward with making new memories.

 

[Sail22Capri22]

A appreciate the responses. For years my wife has said that we should have tried to buy the boat when my Dad sold it. Now that is on the market she has changed her tune. Funny she said that it holds a lot of good memories but perhaps we should get our “own” boat to start new memories on. I’m leaning that way myself. I still think I’d like to stick to a Catalina of the same vintage ether a 42 or maybe the 400, the 42 was just such a solid boat and I am comfortable sailing and motoring it. @Stu Jackson i am wondering why you hate the kitchen layout? I never thought it was a problem when my family owned it and used it but I’m curious of your reasons for the benefit of the kitchen to the side and rear.

 

[Stu Jackson]

@Stu Jackson i am wondering why you hate the kitchen layout? I never thought it was a problem when my family owned it and used it but I’m curious of your reasons for the benefit of the kitchen to the side and rear.

Well, I started to tell you, but I'll continue...

less space in the saloon and a useless galley when moving. I far prefer the galley aft to port.

The interior options, for those who do not know the venerable C42, were
1. full saloon length galley to starboard, smaller saloon seating to port, double smaller aft cabins (don't recall if full length galley layout always came with double cabins aft or had an option for the larger single aft cabin)
compared to
2. Settee and nav station to starboard, full U shaped galley to port aft of much larger saloon seating, plus ample galley storage and access to side of engine aft of the galley itself, with single but ample sized aft cabin/ That storage space and engine access is really well designed.

The middle "seat" in the full galley layout cuts the saloon in half and makes the very same space feel much smaller. A full length galley is manifestly unsafe for use when sailing especially on starboard tack, and these boats are big enough for much more than just day sailing, so it's pretty important.

This brochure shows all the different layouts: https://www.catalinayachts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/C42Bro05.pdf

I've been on both models, and find the difference in the two saloon between comfort and space vs. comparative claustrophobia to be quite amazing. Having the galley operating "out of the way" is not only traditional, but has a definite purpose. Read Desirable and Undesirable Characteristics of Yacht Design if you want to find out why.

The nav station on the two cabin is far superior with its own seat and useful table. The three cabin has a postage sized nav station using the settee seat - a design from a Catalina 25! crazy...

Oh, and kitchen? Really...