Where is the best (cheapest) place in the world to buy sailboats?
Jan 29, 2009 in
SailBoat Charters
Paul BS asked:
I’m in New Zealand, but will travel to find a good deal. Looking in the 30-50 ft range.
sailboat owners
I’m in New Zealand, but will travel to find a good deal. Looking in the 30-50 ft range.
sailboat owners
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9 comments
maxinebootie on February 1, 2009 at 8:39 am
Alice Springs
science teacher on February 2, 2009 at 4:06 am
They say the cheapest place to buy a sail boat is St. Helena, because couples start out South Africa and that is as far as their wife is willing to go after that 1300 mile stretch.
Dinin Z on February 4, 2009 at 6:51 pm
The best answer would be from private individuals. Most boat dealerships will command a mint price even for the oldest of yahcts/sailboats. You could check online classifieds in the United States such as the American Classifieds. Best of luck to ya.
Gordon B on February 6, 2009 at 6:46 pm
New Zealand has more boats per capita than almost any country in the world. The best buys are always private, but you need to know exactly what you’re looking for. Many boats are sold as the result of a divorce (it’s usually the first joint asset to go.) They typically want to move it quickly to cover the considerable expense of a divorce. Be ready to move, research boat prices on your choice and offer 30% – 35% below the average cost. A dealer would probably not pay even that.
Be ready to modify your bid up or down for condition. equipment and presentation. Many sailboats sold in a divorce have been unused for months so look through the general untidiness and grime for the substance. Have your financing ready and bid COLD HARD CASH, it’s hard to refuse in these types of situation and remember you can always go higher, but never lower.
Another great location is Hawaii, a lot of people make the Trans-Pac from the west coast of the USA to Hawaii then change their mind about long distance cruising. It’s a tougher beat back to the USA. Often the voyage to Hawaii will be the cause of the divorce!
Happy Hunting…
sailingsue on February 8, 2009 at 10:48 am
Gordon B gives good advice when it comes to being ready to go at all times and be prepared to travel! Same same with his bargaining tips.
Gibraltar is renowned as a great place to buy well found and fitted out yachts very cheaply. The reason is down to loads of Scandinavian and English sailors, who have sold up to follow the cruising lifestyle, find that it is too hard or scary or whatever and just want to get rid and take whatever they can get for their boat.
Another option is to search out customs impound boats that are being auctioned. The US Coast guard do this regularly.
Good luck
Sue
x
Dan on February 9, 2009 at 1:51 am
It depends on what brand of boat you like. My faveroute brand is Beneteau, the cheapest place to buy them is to either buy them straight from the factory’s in France and the US, but unless you are planning to sail around the wold in it, it is expencive to sail it home because of taxes and breakages and general maintenance as you go. The easiest way is to just go to some local dealers and see what they have got, and what you like and buy it from them because i looked at importing a boat from France to Australia and it was cheaper to get a dealer to do it for me
captmhunt on February 11, 2009 at 5:30 am
That’s easy… check out the yacht clubs on both ends of the Panama Canal… I’ve heard of some very nice sailboats going for the price of a First Class ticket home from Colon to Seattle or other points North.
Loads of people buy a sailboat with no experience in sailing.. then talk their significant other into “sailing around the world” with them. By the time they reach the West end of the Canal, they are sick of the boat and sick of each other and the boat will go for a rediculous price. The same is true for the East side of the Canal
thor on February 12, 2009 at 3:52 pm
New Orleans probably still has some pretty cheap boats for sale- haul it out of their house and its yours. Florida will have some for sale next August.
yankee_sailor on February 13, 2009 at 11:14 am
all those answers about cruising dreams that died are spot on…..if you want to buy new from the builder, just north of you is Taiwan where most production boats come from….I know that there’s 20-40% of the cost of a new boat in dealer commission and freight, so you should get a good deal going direct……..go look up “yacht builders + Taiwan” on a search engine,,,,,,,and only what, 2,500 miles to get it home? ( better check Customs on what you’ll pay to import!)