OK, that was a bit of a clickbait headline. I really don’t think that all, or even most, yacht brokers are liars.
Having said that, have a look through Yachtworld some time. You will see the following text, or something like it, a lot:
- Just back from a circumnavigation and ready to go again.
- Completely refitted and ready to go.
Since we see these statements so often it’s logical to assume that they work at getting people to buy the boat in question. And that’s pretty disturbing since in many (perhaps most) cases believing these claims can be seriously bad for your financial health, your sanity, and even the safety of you and your family.
Let’s look at why I say that and at how to call “bullshit” on the broker (without being too much of a jerk) so you can inject some reality into the negotiations.
“The average survey means not a lot”?. This has to be the understatement of the year. It must be the Christmas spirit. 😉
Good post and although I thought I was viewing a complete boat I was lucky enough to have Colin look appraise it. As such I was able to negotiate on many aspects that the surveyor did not pick up on and now have a good fundamental base to work on for future trips to higher lattitudes.
Okay, better just let me know how that Adventure 40 is coming along. In my fourth year with this nice Cape Dory 36 and I’m still finding things that make me mumble about the broker.
Funny to run across this now as Skylark is under contract and I search for my next home. We need more room and have looked over the favorites I.e., Ta Shing, Passport, Hans Christian, Pacific Seacraft ….. I find myself trying to hunt down one of the three Cape Dory 45 ketches. As with any endeavor, I hope the lessons I’ve learned will serve me well.
Hi Myles,
Ahh, a Alberg classic, a lot to like. I’m no ketch fan, but that’s more taste than anything else.
Thank you for the effort you put into your invaluable website.
Is there a maximum age, given a reasonable design and builder, that a boat can still be deemed seaworthy for offshore cruising without an extensive refit as you have described?
Thank you
Hi Mike,
Hum, really interesting question. The honest answer is that I’m not sure, just too many variables. I think it’s more a matter of miles sailed rather than years per sec, although the latter will have an effect on things like corrosion.
Having said all that, I think I would want to see all of the tests/fixes that I listed above performed on any boat that was over 15 years old, or that had over 50,000 miles on her.
Thank you John. That is valuable information, as it gives me a ballpark search area.
I hope to retire in 8 years and buy in 6, so we are starting to put concepts together, and your myriad resources are proving to be very valuable.
Looking forward to more Adventure 40 (42) news.
Mh
I wish I could be so perfect!