I have sailed for over 45 years, and owned many boats, at least 15, including some wooden classics, but not including dinghys; I have even built a couple. I can state unequivocally that it is cheaper in the long run to buy a boat in good condition, rather than refurbish one in poor condition, but who cares? I am sure that I sold all of the boats I have owned , except for the R Boat, Pirate, for a lot less than they cost me.
Some people love sailing, others, like me, love boats, and some love both. If you're a boat person, it is not about economics. Time and money spent restoring, maintaining and improving a boat is never wasted. For some, it is part of the purpose, pleasure and challenge of boat ownership.
Nobody likes to make a bad deal, but a Vega with a sound hull in sailable condition is certainly not a bad deal at $5,000. The Vegas are great boats, truly plastic classics. If you want to minimize your expenses, get a good deal, and spend your time sailing rather than working on a boat, find one in better condition. Maybe even buy something like a Catalina 27, but don't trust your life to it offshore. If you enjoy messing about in boats, have the time, and are willing to perfect your boat repair and maintenance skills, and learn a great deal about boat construction and systems, by all means buy a boat that needs work. It will cost you more over your period of ownership, but as I said before, who cares. Hopefully, like me, you will enjoy the work and the feeling of accomplishment it brings. There are few things I would rather do than spend a day working on a sailboat.
Mort [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Some people love sailing, others, like me, love boats, and some love both. If you're a boat person, it is not about economics. Time and money spent restoring, maintaining and improving a boat is never wasted. For some, it is part of the purpose, pleasure and challenge of boat ownership.
Nobody likes to make a bad deal, but a Vega with a sound hull in sailable condition is certainly not a bad deal at $5,000. The Vegas are great boats, truly plastic classics. If you want to minimize your expenses, get a good deal, and spend your time sailing rather than working on a boat, find one in better condition. Maybe even buy something like a Catalina 27, but don't trust your life to it offshore. If you enjoy messing about in boats, have the time, and are willing to perfect your boat repair and maintenance skills, and learn a great deal about boat construction and systems, by all means buy a boat that needs work. It will cost you more over your period of ownership, but as I said before, who cares. Hopefully, like me, you will enjoy the work and the feeling of accomplishment it brings. There are few things I would rather do than spend a day working on a sailboat.
Mort [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]