| Are you in the market for a good used sailboat? | | | | recommended by people that have purchased |
| Perhaps you want a day sailor, a cruising sailboat, | | | | used boats. Go onto some of the online sailing |
| or even a racing sailboat. Before you start out, | | | | forums, like those on Sailnet, and ask around. |
| you will want to consider these five sailing tips | | | | Credentials are one thing, but you also want a |
| that will save you lots of money and give you | | | | surveyor who sails. |
| more sailing pleasure for years to come! | | | | And one who will be ruthless in his or her pursuit |
| 1. Sail More When You Sail Small | | | | to find the strengths and weaknesses in the boat |
| Famous cruising couple Lin and Larry Pardey have | | | | that interests you. Remember that the surveyor |
| a saying that goes like this "Go small, go simple, | | | | must be dedicated to you, not to a broker. Sailors |
| go now!" Think about that for a second. It sums | | | | on sailing forums tend to tell it like it is and that's |
| up where you need to start on your quest. | | | | just what you want. |
| Smaller sailboats will be less of a headache to | | | | 5. Take Her Out for a Sea Trial |
| maintain and their sailing gear costs less. | | | | Did you know that a big number of folks will buy |
| For example, if you need to replace the sails, | | | | a used sailboat without putting her through a sea |
| winches, or standing rigging (shrouds and stays) in | | | | trial? This has to be one of the biggest blunders |
| the future, you can save thousands of dollars if | | | | anyone can make. Just because she's pretty at |
| you buy a smaller sailboat. That gives you more | | | | the pier doesn't mean she will behave underway. |
| money left over for cruising. | | | | Get her out there and put her through the paces |
| 2. Make it Easy to Get Underway for a Day | | | | under sail and power. Sail her on every point of |
| If you hang around a marina long enough, you 'll | | | | sail. |
| notice that many sailboats stay tied up in their | | | | Does she have excessive weather helm? Will she |
| slips like worn out thoroughbreds. Many owners | | | | track on a sailing course with light fingertip |
| become frustrated with the amount of time and | | | | pressure, or does it take white knuckles to keep |
| effort necessary to get underway for a day sail | | | | her on course? Does her engine vibrate like a box |
| or a moonlit cruise. Don't let your purchase end up | | | | of rocks, or wander up and down in RPM? |
| as a piece of "slip furniture". Buy smaller and you'll | | | | Once you buy, all of these become your problem. |
| be able to get underway in a heartbeat. | | | | Use them as negotiating points if you decide to |
| 3. Save Big Bucks in Outfitting | | | | go ahead with the purchase. Or, run--don't |
| Expect to spend an average of 33% to get a | | | | walk--from any boat that has too many "lemon" |
| used cruising boat ready for offshore cruising. But | | | | qualities. There a plenty of other fish out there. |
| if you were to buy new, you could spend 50% | | | | Be patient and you will find that one that's a |
| more over the initial base purchase price to get | | | | match made in heaven. |
| her outfitted for sea. Used cruising boats often | | | | Now you know five super sailing tips that will get |
| come well equipped with sailing equipment that the | | | | you started to find the perfect used sailboat in |
| previous owner has bought and maintained. This | | | | today's hot market. Save lots of money and |
| fact alone will save you big dollars in the long run. | | | | future disappointment when you find a sailboat |
| 4. Hire a Surveyor with a Reputation | | | | that will give you joy to sail today, tomorrow, and |
| You will find the best surveyors are those | | | | for many years to come! |