Choosing the next boat to buy: Part 1, The Start

Let me say first off, this is how I go about looking for and buying my boats.  The system works for me, it might not for you, but hopefully you will get something out of it for your next boat hunt.

After close to 40 boats most think I am a nut how many boats I buy.  But the process of choosing the right design, dialing in the boat for shorthanded, getting it up to speed, then racing and winning, makes me smile.  Oh, and a profit on each keeps this part of my business moving forward to the next boat.  And all the people who buy from me are happy customers.

So how do I start?  First you have to know your requirements, write them down, that will make them clearer.  Put your budget at the top of the list and stick to it.  Take your time talking with the people who sail the boat with you.  And don’t hesitate to adjust/change the list as you go through the process. There is no right or wrong list, only what works for you!  And don’t read the forums with others telling you what to buy.  They are not buying the boat you want, do the work yourself and you will be much happier in the end.

Here are the basic requirements that I loop through when looking. This gives you and idea of the design/structure, and some detail items on my list.  Getting to the details is OK on the list, but I make sure the bones of the boat are what fit my requirement first and foremost.  Hope this video helps give you and idea of my first loop in the process.  

Now that you have written down your basic or detailed requirements start the search.   In my opinion you do not need a broker at this time, the broker is not going to put the effort in you will into finding the right boat.  And they can’t read your mind as you see a listing.  If you feel a broker is needed wait till you have five or six boats you really think fit your needs.  Then bring in a broker, this will make their job easier and help you close quickly. 

I do not use brokers, I prefer to use my own knowledge, and experience to find my boats.  Of course you might end up buying from a broker if they have the listing, but that is different then hiring one to find you a boat.  You need to remember the selling broker is selling you the boat, not working for you.  Stick to your requirements.

Searching this time I kept checking in with my buddy John, who is ready to move up from his beloved Olson 30 this off-season after 10 great years.  Who ever purchases his boat will be lucky she is a great Olson, set up well for shorthanded. Our long-term plan has been having the same boats for tuning, trekking, racing, and cruising, and now it is finally going to happen.

So you have the list and at this point the hunt is on. Stick to your requirements, and don’t get caught down the rabbit hole with just cool boats you will never buy or afford.  That will just burn your time, even though we all get caught up at times.  Stay focused and search far and wide.  Shipping a boat is not that hard and we will go over that later in the series step by step.

Once you have a wide range of boats start ticking off the boats that don’t fit enough of your requirements.  Keep the list going on which boats you have taken off the list and why they don’t work.  This record of your process is a good part of the exercise; you never know which boat you might go back to and realize it is the one.  Writing all of this down is important we take action better after we write it down, the physical process of writing it down makes a difference. 

Below is a list of sites I use often.  I have found they have excellent boats, knowledgeable staff, and let me know where the market is sitting.  You will notice they are all small companies, not Yacht World which I do not use. 

Next week I will show you what boats I looked at and which one I picked and why.

List of a few good Links:

Grassi Bateaux has a lot of fantastic used boats, and new if you want to go that route. Talk with Thibaut, he is knowledgeable, and a very nice person. They work on Mini 6.50, Class 40, IMOCA, and huge range of fast boats.

Sea Ventures, this is a excellent site and Nigel Colley a wealth of resources. He is into shorthanded sailing and has been for a long time. Even has a second link here for shorthanded sailors which he just started. I have talked with Nigel for years by email. Too bad we did not hook up when I did the Southampton boat show. A must on the list.

Antipode, This group responds quickly, has great boats on their site and are well connected to shorthanded sailing in France. Twice now I have come close to buying a boat from them.

Band of Boats is a large site that has a range of boats. It is a lot of dealers pooling together in France, UK, Spain, and Italy.

Boats24.com is another large site that is not run by one group. It has a lot of boats you can’t find other places. And can hook you up with the right dealer were you can work with them directly.

Those are a few sites that should help. Yes, no US sites, just EU.

See you soon, Paul