Buying a boat is an investment that costs both money and time, regardless of your sailing plan. The used boat market is full of sailboats built over many years. But how do you navigate this market, and what advice should you follow to choose your ideal boat?
The most important thing, before buying a pleasure boat, making a decision, and signing a sales agreement, is to consider all the parameters. When buying a used boat, and even a new boat, it is important that reason prevails over passion and infatuation. To do this, it is essential to clarify your sailing plan, your budget, etc. This applies to both sailboats and motorboats. This guide is not written by a boating professional. It is the result of years of experience as a boating enthusiast, boat buyer, and passionate sailor. From my first boats, bought with my father, to the sailboat I sail on today, I have learned things, made mistakes, and exchanged ideas with other boaters on the docks. This guide is the result of a life of passion.
Buying a Used Boat Based on Your Sailing Plan
First and foremost, as a buyer, you need to know why you want a boat, or more simply, a pleasure boat. This may seem obvious, yet the most important question is undoubtedly this: What will be the use of my boat?
So, yes, clearly define your sailing plan to accurately target the size of the boat you will buy, its equipment, its marine qualities, and its amenities. On what body of water will you sail?
It would be a shame to buy a pure racing sailboat, which is very technical, for peaceful cruising and family outings… and vice versa…
What Is the Price of a Used Boat?
Clearly determine your total budget. Buying a sailboat or motorboat is one thing, but the expenses to be anticipated must not be forgotten. Whether immediate or to be considered in the coming years (rigging, sails, engine… very costly items), boat maintenance can quickly drive up the bill. Lastly, anticipate annual expenses. These regular costs include insurance, yard space, winter storage, equipment, and the often underestimated marina berth. The true cost of a pleasure boat is higher than its simple purchase price.
Finally, also consider registration and francization for a new boat, depending on its size and engine power.
What Size Boat Should You Choose?
This point is directly related to the first two but can also be a source of concern if the length of your sailboat does not match the desires and abilities of the crew. While the length does not necessarily affect the complexity of handling a boat, it will be easier to manage the urgency of reefing alone on a 10-meter sailboat than on an 18-meter unit. Is a 12-meter trawler or keelboat reasonable for weekend trips as a couple with 2 children to the Glénan Islands or the Arcachon Basin?
Conversely, will a 10-meter sailboat suffice for a program that takes you to the cold regions with your family? In short, the ideal boat size does not exist but will depend on your sailing plan and your cruises or regattas.
The Type of Construction of Your Future Boat
Again, the choice of construction materials is important, before buying a boat. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages. Will a steel dinghy be necessary for a tour of the Mediterranean? Make the right choice between steel, aluminum, plastic hull, or wood/epoxy.
The same applies to the type of appendage. What type of ballast should you choose for your sailboat? Keelboat, lifting keel, dinghy? Finally, have you chosen between a multihull and a monohull?
Plastic or Steel?
Plastic requires the least maintenance compared to steel, for example. On the other hand, for a long-distance traveler, steel can be repaired anywhere in the world. Plywood will be perfect for amateur construction. Finally, aluminum offers a weight advantage over steel, with identical structural quality, but will not be as easily repairable in certain sailing areas.
Keelboat or Dinghy?
The boat’s appendages will also be important for a sailboat (dinghy, keelboat, etc.). It will depend on your sailing plan and your permanent mooring. Just because you are in Brittany does not mean you need a dinghy. If your mooring is always afloat, the rias do not interest you, and you enjoy racing, a keelboat will be a good choice. Maybe not in the Arcachon Basin, however, nor on the Pink Granite Coast in Northern Brittany.
Catamaran, Trimaran, or Monohull?
Finally, choosing between a multihull or a monohull. This last question is as much about your sailing plan as it is about personal preference. The catamaran, depending on its length, has many advantages in terms of comfort at sea and at anchor. From 10 meters, a catamaran becomes a true small loft, able to accommodate many people.
The trimaran, on the other hand, will provide safety and a sense of speed. Finally, the monohull will be the ideal support for certain sailing areas and perfect for smaller budgets.
Where to Buy the Ideal Used Boat?
Once this is done, you will start browsing used boat listings, walking around the docks, in the shipyards, and checking broker websites…
Boat Listings:
There are many specialized and generalist sites offering boat listings. But remember to visit the sailboat listings on your favorite site. Additionally, boat sales are increasingly taking place far from their future home port. This is particularly true for sailboat sales. Make a list of your essential requirements seen above and stick to this list. Do not be tempted by a good deal that does not match your project.
Do not hesitate to call the sellers. Since the market is tight, some sellers are tired of emails from “curious” people. Beware of listings that are too vague or without a price. Finally, before traveling, ask for as many details as possible. The most important are invoices, recent photos, and a complete inventory. Fuel is expensive now.
Brokers or Yacht Brokers
Contrary to popular belief, broker fees, also known as Yacht Brokers, will not be higher than buying directly from individuals. On the contrary, these boating professionals have a very good knowledge of the market, and their prices are more consistent. Another advantage is that shipyards generally know their boats and their actual condition.
Finally, these boat sales professionals will advise and assist you with documents and administrative procedures, francization, and boat importation, and can offer services with experts, partners for boat convoying, or refitting. So, buying or selling your boat with a professional is not a bad idea.
Go Find Those Units That Are Not on the Internet
Not all sailboats for sale are listed online or with professionals. Do not forget about the sailboat for sale on the dock, with its algae beard and greenery, or the one at the back of the shipyard, just waiting to return to the sea. Great deals are in sight if you know how to check a boat point by point. In these cases, an expert appraisal will likely be essential. There are also used boat shows, such as the Mille Sabords in Le Crouesty, among others.
Finally, when you have found the sailboat of your dreams… before signing anything, bring reason back and carefully examine the boat. In any case, a sea trial can be interesting, and a haul-out is imperative before buying a boat. The first step is to inspect the sailboat from A to Z.
Important Points to Check Before Buying a Boat
Discover the Complete Guide to Visiting a Used Boat
A boat must be inspected both afloat and out of the water. This will allow you to test the engine, the color of the exhaust fumes, its reactions, and check for water leaks. Then, out of the water, checking several points is essential before any expert appraisal. If you have any doubts, turn back. And in any case, calling an expert can be an excellent idea.
Check the Hull
It is important to check the through-hulls and valves and verify their watertightness while the boat is afloat. Then, check the rudder, rudder stock, and rudder tube. Check for play in the tiller. Take the opportunity to also look at the keel bolt and bolts. On the hull, look for signs of gelcoat repairs, which may indicate work on the structure. In summary:
- Through-hulls and valves. Check their watertightness while the boat is afloat.
- Rudder, rudder stock, and rudder tube. Check for play in the tiller.
- Keel bolt, bulb, and bolts.
- Thoroughly inspect the hull, look for signs of gelcoat repairs, which may indicate work on the structure, and check for osmosis.
Check the Deck
A complete tour of the boat will give you an idea of the annual maintenance. Check the fixings of pulpits, stanchions, and their bases. Check all fixed hardware such as cleats, winches, shackles, blocks, and running rigging.
Then move on to the standing rigging. Check the chainplates, shrouds, stays, backstay, and furler. Recommendation: in any case, replace the forestay. At the same time, check the sails, their fabric, stitching, and eyelets. In summary:
- Check the hull, gelcoat repairs, etc.
- Fixings of davits, pulpits, stanchions, and their bases. If signs of crazing are not a defect in themselves, make sure the structure is still solid and that pulpits and stanchions do not move, and that the fixings are still watertight.
- Check all fixed hardware such as cleats and winches.
- Check the hardware, blocks, and running rigging. These are small expenses that add up quickly.
- Standing rigging. Check the chainplates, shrouds, stays… the first signs of fatigue, or “policemen,” are often found just at the bottom of the shroud, at its termination before the turnbuckle. The backstay. The furler and especially the forestay, which suffers a lot. Recommendation: in any case, replace the forestay.
- The lifeline.
- Check the sails, their fabric, stitching, and eyelets thoroughly.
- Watertightness of hatches and portholes.
Below Deck
Check the watertightness of portholes, stanchion, and pulpit fixings. Then, look at the engine compartment, spot oil leaks, inspect the condition of the stuffing box. Lift the bilge floors. The frames need to be checked. Other points to verify are the electrical circuit, the operation of the toilet, and the bilge pumps. In summary:
- Watertightness of portholes, stanchion, and pulpit fixings (use a hose to spot leaks).
- Engine compartment. Spot oil leaks, cleanliness of the bilge, condition of the stuffing box.
- Lift the bilge floors; their condition is representative of the owner’s rigor.
- The frames. Cracking of the paint, lengthwise, is a “possible” sign of grounding.
- The electrical circuit.
- The operation of the toilet.
- If there is a bulkhead, check that there are no cracks that could damage the boat’s structure.
- Bilge pumps.
Boat Equipment
- Electronics, VHF, GPS, log, speedometer, depth sounder, etc.
- Charts, documents, etc.
- Regulatory equipment.
- Possible outboard motor.
- Anchoring, mooring lines, etc.
What Documents Are Needed to Buy a Boat?
Administrative Procedures
Finally, when you have found your future boat and are ready to write a big check or make a transfer, you will need to handle the administrative part of the boat sale. It is not very complicated, but you must not forget anything, or you risk going back and forth with the administration.
So, simply follow these steps:
- Sign a preliminary agreement before the sales agreement (necessary if you want to have an expert appraisal or need time to raise the necessary funds).
- Sign the sales agreement (use the template available on the Public Service website) accompanied by a detailed inventory.
- Request a copy of all maintenance invoices. This will help you maintain the boat properly.
- Submit the registration application (this is done online, here, since January 1, 2022). You will need to provide an original sales agreement, an ID, and the boat’s francization certificate.
Use a summary sheet; we offer one in our practical guide (boat inventory). Then, if necessary, do not hesitate to call an expert. Now, all you have to do is find your future boat in our listings. Do not forget the administrative procedures.