Buying a Used Sailboat: Steps and Advice

While you have enough money on hand to buy a new sailboat, buying a used sailboat may be a more cost-effective option. If you decide to buy a used sailboat, then you need to be prepared for everything, and you are likely to face many risks if you buy the wrong way. In this guide, we have listed the steps and advice that can help you when buying a used sailboat.

Define your needs

Before buying a used sailboat, you need to consider some of the following key questions:

1. where do you want to sail? Will it be in warm waters or cold areas?

2. who do you plan to sail with?

3. what will you use it for? Will it be a long voyage, an offshore voyage, or living aboard?

4. where will the sailboat be parked when you are not using it?

Considering these questions, you can find the right type of sailboat for you step by step by eliminating those that don't meet your requirements based on these factors.

Finding used sailboats for sale

After determining the type of sailboat you want, the next step is to look for used sailboats for sale. You can find your favorite sailboat through the following channels:

Marinas and Brokers

At any marina, you may see a sailboat broker with a storefront there. Check out the photos of used sailboats for sale displayed in the store window and you will probably find the one that meets your needs. With any luck, the target sailboat may be right in front of you and you can check out the condition of the sailboat on the spot. Even if you don't see a boat that meets your needs, you can talk to a broker who may have a few more on hand that have not yet been photographed and shown.

Local media and sailing magazines

If you live near the coast, look for “boats” in the classifieds section of your local newspaper, or read sailing magazines, which rely heavily on the revenue generated by people advertising boats. Potential buyers who are interested in purchasing a used sailboat may browse through the various sailing magazines until they find a boat that meets their requirements.

Online platforms

It is possible to browse the websites of yacht brokers to see if they have any boats for sale, or to use search engines to look for a particular model of sailboat, but there are costs to consider when buying off-site. There are also used boat trading websites that have a lot of information on used sailboats for sale, and you can find your favorite used sailboat on these online platforms.

Sailboat Owners Association

If you have identified a particular model of sailboat in your mind, there is a good chance that there is a manufacturer's owners association associated with it. If this association has a website, you can send them an email and ask if anyone is looking to sell their sailboat.

Delve into used sailboats for sale

If you find your favorite used sailboat for sale and decide to buy it, make sure you do your research before you pay for it. On the one hand, find out if the pricing of this sailboat is reasonable, as a price that is too low may imply that there is something wrong with the sailboat. On the other hand, research information about this used sailboat model, either by checking sailboat impurities or searching online to get reviews from others about the model's sailing performance, living experience, and more.

Inspect the boat and make an offer

When you are looking at a used sailboat and feel that it is good overall, with only a few minor issues found, if the boat is in the water, make sure to ask for it to be towed out of the water to inspect the portion of the boat below the waterline, and if the owner refuses, you need to consider the boat carefully. If the boat is on shore, you can ask for a water trial, and after the trial and find the engine, performance, and hull in good condition, it's time to make a price offer. Don't hesitate to make an offer; this is a good time to get a favorable price and reduce the amount of your sailboat loan.

Hire a professional boat surveyor to inspect

Once you have inspected the boat yourself and the seller has accepted your offer, you need to hire a professional sailboat surveyor to inspect the used sailboat. Don't call a friend who knows a little bit about sailing, the professional surveyor will provide a report on the condition of the sailboat, and you need to read the report carefully. Most probably the surveyor will find some defects that you didn't notice before, you need to estimate the cost of repairing these defects, and then further bargain with the seller based on the results of the inspection. If these steps are completed successfully, you will be able to purchase a quality used sailboat at a reasonable price.

Signing the sales contract

When buying a used sailboat through a yacht broker, a legally binding sales contract is signed to protect the buyer's rights. With this contract, you have the right to go after the previous owner if he or she was dishonest in the presentation of information about the boat. If you are buying a used sailboat directly from the owner, you should also take appropriate measures to protect your rights.