For those of you who have never had the pleasure to shop for a sailboat, we thought we’d fill you in on a bit of the process we’ve been going through for the last six months. While it consists, admittedly, of much oohing and aahing, and ogling beautiful boats, there are other more tedious steps in the procedure.
1. Searching: Since every boat we’re looking at is far, far away from where we type away in Montana, this necessitates extensive online research of boat vendors. Here are a few of our bookmarked sites: Yachtworld, Sailboat Listings, Craigslist via Search Tempest (allows you to search many locations of Craigslist at once), Texas Sailboats, etc. We’ve also actively pursued owners’ groups of the boats on our shortlist. We send out a WTB post and describe what we’re looking for and our price range. This has proven to be extremely useful, with lots of people replying with boats that aren’t for sale on any other site (remember, EVERY boat is for sale).
2. Inquiring via Email: When we get interested in a boat, we’ll send a preliminary email to the owner or broker. We’ve sent out 40-50 email inquiries since October, asking standard questions such as:
a) Condition of engine, sails, rigging, deck, etc.
b) What is the reason for sale?
c) What gadgets, gizmos and electronics come with the boat? Some of these we see as necessary, like a GPS, and others we would consider a luxurious bonus, like an autohelm.
3. Plugging the above into ‘The Spreadsheet’: Mark has put together a rather impressive list of attributes for our ‘ideal’ boat, the permanent structures of the boat, the gizmos and gadgets we want, and the safety equipment we need. We know we’ll never get all of these in one boat, but this lets us see what the current vessel is lacking and, more importantly, what those items would cost if we chose to buy them.
4. Surveying: If the numbers add up, we still feel the boat tugging at our heart strings, and it’s floating in the right place, then we call the owner and set up a survey. We’ve never crossed this bridge before..until today. We’ll let you know if she passes muster.
For those interested in learning more…notice we’ve updated the ‘Boat of the Week‘!)
I see the old boat has been passed on. 🙂
Carol –
Yes! The old girl has a happy new home in Helena with plans to sail the Puget Sound. We couldn’t be happier for her….that will be the next post!
In Punta allen, Mx now. Will look at a 30 Catalina without a mast on Friday morning. It was gifted to one of the guides here as a thanks from the owner for helping salvage off of the reef. Will take pictures and send. m
Hello, just wanted to mention, I liked this article. It
was helpful. Keep on posting!
Hello, Neat post. There is an issue together with your site in web explorer, could check this?
IE nonetheless is the marketplace chief and a good component of folks will miss your excellent writing because of this problem.
We’re a gaggle of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.
Your web site provided us with valuable info to
work on. You have performed a formidable job and our whole
group might be thankful to you.
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I
thought this post was great. I do not know who you are
but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you are not
already 😉 Cheers!
Stunning quest there. What happened after?
Take care!
Appreciate this post. Will try it out.
Actually no matter if someone doesn’t be aware of after that
its up to other viewers that they will assist, so here it takes place.
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as
I provide credit and sources back to your blog? My blog is in the
very same niche as yours and my visitors would certainly benefit from some of the information you provide here.
Please let me know if this okay with you. Thanks!
Wonderful blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News.
Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed
in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
Thanks
I do not know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else
experiencing problems with your site. It appears like some of the
text in your posts are running off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback
and let me know if this is happening to them as well? This might be a problem with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen before.
Many thanks
You could certainly see your skills within the article you write.
The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe.
All the time follow your heart.
Quality articles or reviews is the secret to attract the viewers to pay a quick visit
the web page, that’s what this site is providing.
Hmm it seems like your website ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what
I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but
I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any helpful hints for beginner blog writers?
I’d really appreciate it.
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this,
like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with a few
pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is
fantastic blog. A great read. I will certainly be back.
I go to see each day some web sites and websites to read posts, except this website provides feature based
writing.
Excellent blog here! Also your web site lots up
very fast! What web host are you the use of?
Can I get your affiliate link on your host? I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
3aN8IMa cheap flights
Hello there, You have done a fantastic job.
I’ll definitely digg it and personally suggest to my friends.
I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this web site. cheap flights y2yxvvfw
I bought it as a birthday gift for my wife. We both love it. It is really beautiful!
Hello friends, how is all, and what you desire to say regarding
this article, in my view its in fact amazing in favor of me.
Excellent article. Keep posting such kind of
information on your site. Im really impressed by your blog.
Hello there, You’ve done a great job. I’ll definitely digg it and for my part recommend to my friends.
I am sure they will be benefited from this website.