Hello guys,

I'm at a crossroad with my boat search. I'm running around in circles and not moving forward. Hopefully I can get some opinions and get moving forward.

I've been sailing my Noelex 25 trailer sailer for the last few months up the coast and finally reached the Whitsundays. I want a bigger, more capable boat and I'm happy to continue with this cruising lifestyle. I have a budget of $200k. I'd like an ocean cruising boat.

Here's where I'm stuck....

I can really buy a boat anywhere in the world. I know there's many costs if I came back to Australia with it, but if it was in the med then I'd just hang out there for the season and go further to carribean which could easily take a couple of years anyway. So buy a boat here or overseas?

Next I thought about buying an inbetween boat here. There's plenty of larger older boats available for $50k or whatever. I could enjoy that on the coast here for some months then I'll have a better idea on what I like too. Not sure on costs involved with this, rego etc plus what I may lose trying to sell it again after some months.

Hope someone can help out with that.

Otherwise recommend me some boats for sale. Something around 40ft.

Josh

S&S 39 maybe. There's a few for sale. Jon sanders owns a blue one he has sailed around the world a few times.
https://www.boatsales.com.au/boats/details/1992-SPARKMAN-&-STEPHENS-39/OAG-AD-17001951?pageSource=details&id=OAG-AD-17001951

www.boatsales.com.au/boats/details/1980-SPARKMAN-&-STEPHENS-39/OAG-AD-17239214?pageSource=details&id=OAG-AD-17239214

This one isn't a 39 but is a 44ft sparkman and Stephens designs.
www.boatsales.com.au/boats/details/1993-SPARKMAN-&-STEPHENS-SLOOP/OAG-AD-15892986?pageSource=details&id=OAG-AD-15892986
Hope this helps.
Regards, Mick

Hi Wonderflux,
some dumb questions first. What sort of sailing are you wanting to do?
What percentage of cruising/racing?
How many skilled crew? Just you?
Day sailing, or coastal?
Any bluewater passage planning?
Liveaboard?

cheers,
SB

Hi Josh, Sounds like you've got the budget for a decent catamaran there. Just get a fast one (not seawind). Give me call when you get to the pacific islands and I'll come kiting with you. Steve

Yep, liveaboard, bluewater cruising. I'd be the only skilled sailor. But I'm sure I'll have crew most of the time.

And I'd assumed I wouldn't get much of a bluewater cat for $200k including upgrades.

There seem to be some nice ones around for about $165+;

yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-catamarans/grainger-mystery-cove-11/219935

yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-catamarans/pescott-whitehaven-10-9/234454

but jeezers the cats are still generally expensive.

I'm no expert but it used to be that the high end of the yacht market was driven by increasing housing prices. Given the ageing sailing population and the weakness in the housing market I'd personally be wary of spending big at the moment. But as I said, I'm no expert.

We have a moderately light, low profile 36' mono and wouldn't want to go any bigger since we believe they have all the room you really need in many situations, are easily handled, and that costs rise with the cube of size while space only goes up by the square. The other thing is that these days, toys seem to be getting smaller. You don't need space for a library like you used to now that you can use a Kindle. Inflatable kayaks, windsurfers and SUPs, good light RIBS, kites etc need less space than their older versions. You can get a great titanium bike with a break-apart frame that can store in a section of a quarter berth. Electronics are smaller. So are watermakers etc, I think. Even things like pots, coffee makers, clothes and sleeping bags are available in lightweight versions from hiking shops. The rush to go bigger and into cats may be leaving some nice bargains in medium-size monos, which are arguably benefiting from changes in other areas of technology.

I'm with you on the housing market/economy. Boat owners are more exposed to these problems and we're due for a correction cycle. Maybe a $50k boat now and enjoy the coast. I guess the Noelex is worth $30k so it's not a huge jump and I won't need the 4wd either.

Hello Josh,

im pretty sure we crossed paths at Middle Percy Island, back in May?
Glad to hear you made safely from there further north ok. From your mooring location at Middle Percy, I'd say you would suit a shoal draft or a catamaran?
But seriously the budget you quote gives you plenty of options. You can look at a 10 year old production sail boat up to 40 foot, reasonably safe option for expected ongoing maintenance expenses, or a cheaper older boat, or a dearer better older boat. Modern sail boats are not always as motion comfortable, IE they move about more frenetically in swell, but they are responsive and sail well in lighter winds.
Imho I would spend up to maybe 150 k on a nice up to 40 footer, you will need the remainder of your funds to bring her up to spec. Check out the marina's At Airlie, look at the charter boats for ideas. Even most privately owned secondhand yachts will have marginal sails, a decent set will bring the boat alive. And here is where you will understand how much it cost to own a yacht, what I mean is the difference in price for the gear to suit a 42 footer versus a 36.

Cheers Richard

Hello Josh,

im pretty sure we crossed paths at Middle Percy Island, back in May?
Glad to hear you made safely from there further north ok. From your mooring location at Middle Percy, I'd say you would suit a shoal draft or a catamaran?
But seriously the budget you quote gives you plenty of options. You can look at a 10 year old production sail boat up to 40 foot, reasonably safe option for expected ongoing maintenance expenses, or a cheaper older boat, or a dearer better older boat. Modern sail boats are not always as motion comfortable, IE they move about more frenetically in swell, but they are responsive and sail well in lighter winds.
Imho I would spend up to maybe 150 k on a nice up to 40 footer, you will need the remainder of your funds to bring her up to spec. Check out the marina's At Airlie, look at the charter boats for ideas. Even most privately owned secondhand yachts will have marginal sails, a decent set will bring the boat alive. And here is where you will understand how much it cost to own a yacht, what I mean is the difference in price for the gear to suit a 42 footer versus a 36.

Cheers Richard

Hey Richard,

Haha, yeah, I remember you. What a great shot, I didn't even take one like that myself! Percy was fantastic. A week of paradise even if we had no food. From that picture, yes, I do enjoy have a beachable boat.

Select to expand quote

Wonderfulx said..
Hey Richard,

Haha, yeah, I remember you. What a great shot, I didn't even take one like that myself! Percy was fantastic. A week of paradise even if we had no food. From that picture, yes, I do enjoy have a beachable boat.

This would be my pick on the current market for the coin. If you like to beach a Catamaran would be next choice.
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/hanse-411/234479

www.theyachtmarket.com/en/boat-for-sale/1362970/
you could pick a nice x-yacht for under $200K

2 very nice boats. I actually like them both.

Then the Hanse can be had for $110k in croatia. That's the dilemma. Even bringing it back here and paying $20k is a much cheaper boat.