I'm in the market to upgrade from my Catalina 22 to a larger boat. After lots of research, I've pretty much decided on a Hunter 28.5, 31, or 34, mid 80's or newer. I'm now beginning my search for "the" boat. Does anyone have any experience they'd like to share regarding buying a boat in other parts of the country and having it transported to their home port? I don't want to limit myself to only the boats available around my local area. Is the transport cost very high (I know it depends largely on distance)? Or would you advise I wait for the "right one" to show up on the market here in my local area (Lake Michigan)? I'm also open to the thought of sailing it home if one is found somewhere on the great lakes. Any experiences out there on that scenario? This one sounds like a great adventure, but I'd be concerned about such a trip on a boat I'm not familiar with, even though it would be "my boat". Even though I plan on having a survey done on any prospective boat, it's still not the same as having confidence in a boat after spending lots of time sailing it. Any input would be appreciated, Dave
Transport of 28.5, 31 or 34
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Transport
Doing a long trip or delivery takes preparation. It's nice to know your boat very well before taking your first extended long distance trip. Having said that I recently purchased a vessel and delivered it 700 miles a few months later. A GPS and paper charts were valuable. I did a lot of service and checkout before heading out. I carried lots of tools, spare parts, dingy, outboard and a cel phone. I had no schedule and plenty or time (more time than money). Are you mechanically inclided and self sufficient? You'll find boats in your area to be higher priced and in better shape than those in the south east. Salt water and strong sun take their toll on these boats (and I hope you know the ones you like all have rusty iron keels)
Doing a long trip or delivery takes preparation. It's nice to know your boat very well before taking your first extended long distance trip. Having said that I recently purchased a vessel and delivered it 700 miles a few months later. A GPS and paper charts were valuable. I did a lot of service and checkout before heading out. I carried lots of tools, spare parts, dingy, outboard and a cel phone. I had no schedule and plenty or time (more time than money). Are you mechanically inclided and self sufficient? You'll find boats in your area to be higher priced and in better shape than those in the south east. Salt water and strong sun take their toll on these boats (and I hope you know the ones you like all have rusty iron keels)
Re: Transport
Daryl, I bet you had a great time doing a 700 mile trip! Yes, I'm very capable of doing most any work on the boat. I'm also capable enough to know what type of maintenance and/or repairs I should hire out too.
) Yes, I'm aware of the iron keels. That's one of the disadvantages of these Hunters that I'm willing to deal with. I have a cast iron keel on my Catalina 22, so I pretty much know what to expect. Fortunately, it's not too bad up here in the fresh water, but the iron still needs regular attention. Your comment about salt water boats is also an important issue in my mind. I'd really rather look at fresh water boats for exactly the reasons you state. The corrosive nature of salt water takes quite a toll.
Daryl, I bet you had a great time doing a 700 mile trip! Yes, I'm very capable of doing most any work on the boat. I'm also capable enough to know what type of maintenance and/or repairs I should hire out too.
) Yes, I'm aware of the iron keels. That's one of the disadvantages of these Hunters that I'm willing to deal with. I have a cast iron keel on my Catalina 22, so I pretty much know what to expect. Fortunately, it's not too bad up here in the fresh water, but the iron still needs regular attention. Your comment about salt water boats is also an important issue in my mind. I'd really rather look at fresh water boats for exactly the reasons you state. The corrosive nature of salt water takes quite a toll.dont make my mistake
i had a boat shipped from eastern mi to western mi. i wasn t there to over see them take the mast down and load the boat, needless to say the boat was delivered with the roller furling stay not attached and the foil connecters completely broken in two. mr torrenson at torrenson marine (nice nice people, they swaged a new forstay for me on a saturday and broke into a new harken furling kit to retreive the parts to satisfy me!!!!) said in all his years he has never seen this part broken this way, he said it must have been tremedous force to break it. it turns out they used a crant to take the mast down, i am glad the damage was limited to this!! any how no one would own up to the damage and i was left holding the bill!! thanks mike
i had a boat shipped from eastern mi to western mi. i wasn t there to over see them take the mast down and load the boat, needless to say the boat was delivered with the roller furling stay not attached and the foil connecters completely broken in two. mr torrenson at torrenson marine (nice nice people, they swaged a new forstay for me on a saturday and broke into a new harken furling kit to retreive the parts to satisfy me!!!!) said in all his years he has never seen this part broken this way, he said it must have been tremedous force to break it. it turns out they used a crant to take the mast down, i am glad the damage was limited to this!! any how no one would own up to the damage and i was left holding the bill!! thanks mike
Possible deal
What you are looking for, may be in your back yard. Mail me at jkbraun@sbcglobal.net
What you are looking for, may be in your back yard. Mail me at jkbraun@sbcglobal.net
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