There are many different styles of sail boat available. If you are thinking of buying a sailing boat, doing your research and exploring the different types of boat available is especially important.
For a first-time buyer it is sometimes hard to know what questions to ask when buying a boat. Whether this is your first sailing boat, or you have owned one before it is important to understand how you want the sailing boat to work for you, both in terms of sailing, as well as how you want to live on board in order to make the most of its features.
Knowing its purpose will assist you in choosing the right boat for you. This can be influenced by many things:
Are you looking for a luxury cruiser or do you prefer speed?
How many people on average will be sailing with you?
How many people do you intend to sleep onboard?
How much living space do you need?
How much time do you plan to spend onboard – think about if this is a boat for weekends away or do you intend to carry out some long-distance cruising?
Are you going to charter it out?
Where do you plan to use the boat? Think about factors like location, mooring, tide, weather and traffic density etc.
What technology & equipment will you need on the boat? Options include bow thrusters, stern thrusters, electric winches, in-mast reefing, self-tacking jibs and advanced navigation technology.
Sailing boats can vary wildly in price and prices will differ depending on style, size, age and condition. The great thing about boating is there is a boat to suit every budget meaning that everyone can have the opportunity to own a sailing boat.
As you narrow down your search for your sailing boat you can expect to find manufacturers offering similar boats at seemingly quite different prices. Make sure you are comparing like for like in terms of spec and equipment levels etc. And remember there is always some room for negotiation on price.
Once you have decided the type of sailing boat you want and how much you want to spend, you can begin your search. The first place to go is the internet; you will find thousands of sailing boats on sale either through private sellers, dealers or brokers. Using a good brokerage company when buying a boat can have many advantages. Reputable brokers will have a great deal of experience in buying sailing boats for customers, enabling them to detect a good deal when they see one. They will also have a variety of boats in one location and they can help to make the buying process as stress free as possible. Find a good broker either through by checking their advertisements or through recommendation from previous customers.
Alternatively, you can buy through a private seller or dealer. You will always get more accurate information on the true nature and quirks of a boat from the owner themselves and they can often be more flexible. Avoid private sellers and dealers that do not have a credible reputation.
It is advisable to take the time to visit a few showrooms, take a tour through a marina and look around as many boats as possible in order to have a better picture on what sailing boats are for sale.
Buying a sailing boat is not just about the money you pay for it. It is important to include the running costs of a boat in your budget. Additional costs can include:
Surveys
Mooring Fees
Maintenance
Fuel and Heating
Insurance
Like with any type of boat, the costs will vary from boater to boater and boat to boat. Working out the average running costs of owning a sailing boat and how you plan to use it is especially important.
You will also need to find a place to keep your sailing boat. Some marinas may not have available berths etc and mooring fees will vary considerably. Maintenance costs for new sailing boats are relatively low during the first three years but, as a rule, major machinery will require significant repairs or replacement within 5 to 7 years. So, before anything, include these costs in your budget.
When buying a second-hand sailing boat, it is highly recommended that you conduct a professional survey on the boat. This should be done by a qualified marine surveyor and will show any potential maintenance issues, faults on the hull and with the boat’s internal systems and will highlight any issues the boat may have so you have peace of mind that you know exactly what you are buying. It can also help you to negotiate the price and will be useful with insurance companies, some of whom will not insure a sailing boat without understanding its condition.
Having the correct paperwork in place when you buy your sailing boat is important.
Check all the documents and the sailing boat’s VAT status. You should receive the original VAT paid invoice, which is essential if you want to sell the sailing boat in the future. Once the survey has been concluded and the negotiations settled, you should receive the proof of ownership, Bills of Sale for the last 5 years at minimum, Certificate of Registry, if any, and proof of VAT status. Keep all these documents in a safe place since they are not easy to replace. Make sure you have all of these in place when you buy.
