Episode #37 Buying a Sailboat - Don't get ripped off!

You are so right with this video, I tell that to my clients all the time: Do your own research according to your abilities first, then if everything checks out call me. I suggest they take pictures and if they have questions to email me, free of charge. I cannot work for free as I easily spend thousands of $ every year to stay on top of regulations and developments. There is no reasons to call me to do a survey on a rotten boat, you are wasting your money. Know what you can handle, a fiberglass issue for a fibreglass guy might not be an issue at all but if you are an electrician... and vice-versa. All my surveys include a quick walk around and a phone call if something shows up, we can then cancel the full survey and only pay for my time on site. I get more business by being honest than anything else.

thank you for this video, I am thinking of buying a Sailboat aswell. hard to find what to lookout for videos. thanks keep up the great work.

Good video... a trial run with your hands at the helm and spinning the gear from every rope, combined with an inspection at sea as well as at the mooring of in depth survey by the buyer that knows boats is too important. First time Byers need a qualified marine surveyor !!! When at sea and the vessel does not have the feel with or without the centreboard... "keep looking"... a sailboat is your "legal Second Wife". Make sure you can get through any situation together !!!

Someone must climb the mast. I bought a boat, 3 months found out the mast needed to be replaced. My boat was a total loss. Do research on surveyors, pay people good money to look at your boat.

Thanks for the excellent advice! (in return, consider replacing "How to insure" with "How to ensure")

Guys, which video editing program do you use?

hahha youre always gonna get ripped off on a boat..get used to it

Hi!! I am Paul, suffered a nasty stroke, and I would like a free or close to it catamaran! 32-50 feet, or at least a sailboat!  I I would love to give you trips any where!!  So if its neglected I can Help!!  Long as it motors a bit. Theres much more to this story. I need a place to stay, with something to do whenever I can. Right now its only about an hour or two a day, a boat would really help!! I am trying really really hard!   I am 250 miles from seattle.  I am 58 and had a nasty stroke 2 and a half years ago. It has taken 95% of all my memories away!  and my right side of my body, which is slowly comming back. I dont drive and type with one finger, I can use my arms but healing of my right hand is slow.  I love sanding and polishing any thing!! (high end painting,I used to do a lot!!)  That would take some time to do a boat, I have done a few before!  Or is there a rich person that wanted videos of exotic places, or who would care enough to help, who knows!! This so called stroke just wants me to make people happy!   Please get a hold of me if you have anything I could have!! We could talk sometime!! I just wanna clean and polish things, it is sooo cool!!  love you all, Paul   If you know ANYONE have them write!!!!    energetic432111@gmail.com

Just an awesome video. I am an older person (55) and wanted to get into sailing for a few years and was hoping to buy a used sail boat for around 40 to 50 thousand dollars. Plan on going to sailing school before I make the complete plunge. Have always wanted to try sailing but unfortunately never had the time nor resources. I have been looking on Yachtworld and some other sites for my future sailboat. But to tell you the truth I wouldn't even know where to start. How does one judge what sailboat is better than the other? Hunter, Perkins, Catalina wow so many decisions and so many sailboats. I understand before you buy any sailboat to have an expert check it out but what sailboats would be best for sailing across the pacific in the range of a 36 to 45 ft sail boat that matches my budget from above. Just thought you might know? Can anyone else give me thoughts on this?

I just watched this video for the second time. Good info here Sir.

What amazes me is the number of people who advertise their boat where photos show unmade beds junk all over the cabin sails stuffed into the forward cabin etc etc. If they can't be bothered tidying the boat and scrubbing mould then they won't have looked after the boat, so the best advice is look at the current owner first if he doesn't have a clue on proper maintenance then walk away, same when buying cars.

Great info for people trying to make their first investment. Great content, keep it up!

As always I love your videos. I also do some comment searching as I know that you usually have some pretty good followers that offer additional advice. Its all a learning process. You are just steps ahead of us. We like how you are clearing the path. Keep up the good work.

I don't know if you've looked at Gulfstars, but I saw a 37' aft cockpit at the Gloucester marina, Gloucester, Virginia that seems to be along the lines of what you are looking for.  I have been looking at Gulfstar center-cockpit boats up and down the coast, when I ran across this one.  But if you are interested in aft-cockpit versions, then this one might be worth a look if you are in the area.

Good video!

#1. Engines are not that bad to replace, you can get a new yanmar 38 hp for 5K and install it yourself. See Schooner Bay Marine dot com.
#2. Compression post and you are going to live aboard AND sail offshore. Do'nt buy a boat with a compression post.
#3. Soft decks....buy a better quality boat.
#4. Survey: Do it yourself and take and oil sample, compression test, and look at thru hulls, wiring, and hoses and hose clamps. Then if you want to act like a surveyor, tap on the deck or the hull and see how it sounds. yup...it sounds like I am tapping on it. Surveys cost about $500 to $700 for a boat, not thousands.

Ok there is a Beneteau 285 it has a closed aft berth and a closed V berth. The bath has.a door and not next to your sleeping berths, navigation station. Oven/range, this boat you will learn a ton on and it will not break the bank in everyway.

Hey vic another good idea is to make sure you tell the broker when inspecting a boat, not to open it up, that way you get a chance to smell for problems.

Some very sound advice, It's always worth asking to see the most recent survey of a boat, even if it's several year old. It will allow you to focus on specific issues and see if they have been addressed or ignored. On the topic of surveys, there are (currently) no international standards for marine surveyors, i.e. anyone can print a card and put up a website advertising marine survey services, and produce reports acceptable to most insurance companies. Of course the best defence against falling foul of rogue traders is to do as you do, arm yourself with as most knowledge as a possible :-)

Some great advice, & well put together!