tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post704887663074742255..comments2024-03-24T03:23:46.858-06:00Comments on This Rat Sailed: What We've Learned Thus Far - Boat BrokersMike Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14279932231094933575noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-40252569990308671812013-08-06T22:21:43.755-06:002013-08-06T22:21:43.755-06:00Hi Dom,
Congratulations on the Mahe! My wife and ...Hi Dom,<br /><br />Congratulations on the Mahe! My wife and I saw one at the Annapolis boat show and we liked it. The Cruising Catamaran Communique that I have is copyright 2007 (there may be newer edition?) but the Mahe isn't there. It has mostly older boats (only 19 entries in the "in production" section and some of those aren't anymore) and includes the Antigua and Louisiane 37's. The entry for the Antigua says they are a "Popular Manufacturer" and he has extensive experience with the entire line.<br /><br />When I asked a question about the pros and cons of the Lagoon 37 versus the Tobago 35 (I think that is the direct predecessor of the Mahe), people seemed to think both were very good boats. <br /><br />It's amazing how many people are actually considering this lifestyle. Hope you are finding some of my ramblings interesting...or at least amusing. Funny how a thousand miles of land or a thousand miles of ocean cause the same shopping issues. Just took a peek at your blog...love the pictures in the marina post. I guess there is one difference, you can keep your boat near your current home as you learn...a 35+ foot catamaran would look silly at our reservoirs and would take a truck to get it here. :-)<br /><br />Good luck on your quest to become full-time cruisers and wishes and greetings from the middle of the U.S (wishing we were in the Caribbean)<br /><br />-M ikeMike Boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14279932231094933575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-85364629405948490882013-08-06T21:37:15.875-06:002013-08-06T21:37:15.875-06:00Hi Mike. I came across your blog recently and shar...Hi Mike. I came across your blog recently and share many of your experiences. We started looking to try living on a boat almost the same month as you did and have gone (and are going) through many of the things you write about. it's often makes me smile knowing that there are other people across the globe that are doing the exact same thing under quite different circumstances (while you are landlocked with no sea close by, we live on a small island and still no sailboats available for sale within at least a thousand miles)<br />I've bought (and mostly read) many of the books you mentioned, but had not heard of the Cruising Catamaran Communique. It seems it covers in detail some boat models. could you tell me if this includes the Mahe 36, which we ended up buying?<br />Thanks and best wishes from the Indian Ocean,<br />DomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-34302461356758774452013-08-06T18:56:50.974-06:002013-08-06T18:56:50.974-06:00Hey Mark,
Thanks for commiserating with us. I th...Hey Mark,<br /><br />Thanks for commiserating with us. I think the mono- vs. multi- decision has been made after our ASA 114/St. Petersburg charter trip. <br /><br />I agree that, if you are buying a boat listed with a broker, that it costs nothing more to have a buyers agent. The question becomes does the price of a boat go up when it is listed with an agent so the owner recoups some of the cost compared to an owner selling it themselves. In that case, it is a bit more of a gray area if the buyer is, in essence, paying for the broker(s). That's the somewhat subtle difference I tried to balance out in the post. The pricing info is definitely an important advantage to having a buyers broker...I'll need to update the list to add that one as I should have and simply forgot.<br /><br />After talking with and hearing about ZeroToCruising's experiences, we have re-thought the idea of a prior charter. Hearing the stuff that the Moorings takes care of when they phase out (I keep forgetting...was that the term they use) a charter boat, it does sound better than the potentially very worn out boats I was imagining. Definitely need a good survey and I'm sure it depends greatly on which charter company a boat comes from, but we would consider one if we could find one in our price range that we like.<br /><br />And speaking of surveys...I think I'll need to do a post on what I've learned about that once I've made it through a successful one. Our broker pointed us to the site where you can search for surveyors instead of just recommending one or two. He did say he'd heard good things about a couple but definitely wanted us to interview them and make our own decisions. After the survey on a Lagoon 37 we had put an offer on, I'm pretty convinced we have a decent surveyor (and don't currently own a money pit of a boat). Learned quite a bit from him in the process. Will likely pay for his travel if needed on our next survey. <br /><br />Thanks, we could use all the good luck we can find. :-)<br /><br />-MikeMike Boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14279932231094933575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-80829528820534735182013-08-06T05:59:55.168-06:002013-08-06T05:59:55.168-06:00Mike,
I feel your pain. We searched for a boat fo...Mike,<br /><br />I feel your pain. We searched for a boat for about 3-4 years. Our first challenge was to decide between multi-hull and mono-hull. Without opening the can of worms, there are huge advantages to both. Then, one day our phone rang. That was a good day.<br /><br />Just to be sure (it wasn’t clear on the posting), using a buyer’s agent should not cost you anything. The buyer’s agent will split the 10% commission with the seller’s agent. As an agent for you, the broker can see the “back-side” of Yachtworld. They can look at price history of the boat for sale, how long it has been on the market, and selling prices of similar boats. This will help you make an offer in line with the value of the boat. Typically you should start about 20% below the asking price and not be willing to move much. It is still very much a buyers market.<br /><br />Have you considered buying a boat coming out of charter? Often, these can offer great value. But be aware, you will need money to recondition the boat. You will want to redo all upholstery, electronics, sails, rigging etc. But, if you plan to go cruising, the chances are you will do this to any boat you buy within the first year or two. And, you put in systems of your choice – not just what comes with the boat. This is a contact I had used (we did not buy at boat from him):<br />Jim Adams<br />Jim.Adams("at")tuimarine.com<br />Leopard Catamarans/The Moorings Yacht Brokerage<br />Toll-free: (800) 850-4081 x102<br />Office: (954) 462-3075 x102<br />Cell: (954) 303-5310<br />Fax: (954) 462-2440<br /><br />In addition to a survey, be sure to have oil samples tested from the engine(s) and generator by a lab of your choice (this applies to any boat you buy). Start shopping now for a surveyor. Do NOT depend on anybody in the industry to recommend one. This person MUST represent only you in the purchasing process. Be willing to fly your surveyor to the boat.<br />Interview them and ask a lot of questions to find someone who will really hunt for problems.<br /><br />Good luck in your continued search.<br /><br />Mark<br />www.creampuff.us<br />Markhttp://www.creampuff.usnoreply@blogger.com