How to Buy a Used Sailboat

Buying a used sailboat is a great way to find a high quality vessel at a very reasonable price. Like buying a used car, however, buying a used sailboat demands knowledge and caution. Unlike a used car, a "lemon" sailboat can sink and end up as no more than a dangerous financial hole in the water. A few important steps can help avoid a used sailboat disaster and ensure a good buying experience.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Familiarize yourself with the market. Once you have decided what kind and size boat you are looking for, begin perusing sailing magazines, classified ads and local marinas to get an idea of what's out there and how much it costs. You should literally look at hundreds of boats online and in magazines before you make your first phone call.

2. Develop a set of questions to ask each potential seller. Speak to sellers armed with your knowledge and with a set of questions that will give you very specific and systematic data about each boat. With the data set in hand, it will be much easier to compare sailboats before you buy.

3. Calculate total costs for each potential boat. Costs such as transport fees, slip rental and maintenance vary greatly with each boat, so do your homework before committing to buy any one sailboat. Find a way to calculate the total cost of each boat and not just the price on the sales sticker.

4. Survey any sailboat before you buy it. Used sailboats endure a lot of wear and tear over the years, and much of it is unseen. Get a professional boat surveyor to do a complete inspection of any used sailboat you are seriously considering before you buy the boat.

Resources

• Check out used sailboats at BoatQuest.com

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