T&T: 1984 boats

[David Smyth]

I could write a lot, however, please follow this link:

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/cache/searchResults.jsp? 
blc=4023&fromLength=36&man=Island 
+Gypsy&manc=54&slim=quick&uom=126&sm=3&duom=126&wuom=126&currencyid=100& 
toLength=36&luom=126&ps=20&searchPage=%2Flisting%2Fcache% 
2Fboats_for_sale_qs.jsp&so=1&currency=USD&units=Feet&currencyid=100&

Note that the price of Island Gypsy 36 boats is almost constant
from 1993 to 1977, where the price is 95,500 to 139,900.

My point is simple: as boats age, the cost to own increases.
Also, the certainty of very expensive repair/replace activities
increases. These costs dwarf a $40K purchase price difference.

Since the cost of the older boat is almost the same as a much
newer boat, there is USUALLY no reason to buy the older boat.

A couple of exceptions have been mentioned on this list, and
I wholeheartedly agree:

1) If the older boat has been very well cared for, then OK,
worth investigating

2) If you really want to build a boat, and you've found a project
that saves you a lot of time even if it has a hole in the bottom,
then OK, worth investigating.

But if the boat just seems in average or better than average
condition, you will be much better off getting  a decade or two
newer boat in average or better than average condition.

If you are hard up against a budget limit on purchase price,
your purchase price is far too high. Repairs exceed payments.


Buy the highest quality, best condition boat you can afford.

When I say "afford" I mean consider the TOTAL cost of ownership,
not just the purchase price.

You'll find yourself buying new or near new boats that are
smaller than you might otherwise buy. But you'll have more
fun, and less pain.


David Smyth
david_smyth_ogst@mac.com

(805) 501-1406 cell
(818) 393-0275 office
(818) 353-0275 home office