So sorry to hear about your grandmother. That is never easy. And fingers crossed the sale goes through!!! You will find the perfect boat at the perfect time.
Thanks! The sale closed on Friday. We’re sure we’ll find the right boat for us, just as our old boat found it’s right next family. Best of luck in your search as well!
just get the boat you like that works for you and your family. Don't worry about age. No matter the age it will break and you will pay to fix it. Budget for that and get going! Have Fun and Good Luck!
Something I've seen on a few listings, mostly newer, larger and (of course) much pricier boats is the suggestion of chartering the boat when you're not using it. That may be an option if you can't sell it outright after you complete your loop trip. The first one I saw that on was a Fontaine-Pajot MY 4S, which would be a candidate as far as size, but it's at the _extreme_ high end of the price range.
I just sold my boat last week. It was bitter sweet. I had a lot of memories with her. But because of the sale of the boat and a few more assets I will have my house paid off this year and be aiming for my fire number in a few short years. I really believe you will gain many more followers once you get on the loop as long as you keep the videos flowing. This should greatly help with the resale of your chosen vessel.
My thought, you have to feel good about the boat you're on, so a modern spaceship wouldn't do that for me personally, an older trawler would (but not wood). But it is a dilemma even for me and I'm not even likely to do the loop (realistically). Whatever you chose it will be the adventure you hoped for...
Only buy an old boat if you are handy and wiling and able to keep up with maintenance issues. Also, if you buy an old boat, don't buy one that has been sitting for a long time. Buy one that has been used and loved and maintained. My guess is that you will do better buying an old boat that has been upgraded and loved than buying a newer boat that will depreciate and that will not have any guarantees of better reliability over an older boat. Any boat older than 8 or 9 years will have issues unless it has been upgraded and well maintained.
As an owner of an older boat (1980 Hatteras 43 DCFB ) let me advise you that the only thing that works on an old boat is the owner...Not really,,, like anything if it has been well maintained it'll serve you well , a 2015 boat that wasn't maintained will be just as needy as an old boat but for more money. Not financing is a huge plus when shopping especially for an older boat where lenders are not lending for older boats, Insuring will just take some shopping. I know that in your hearts you want an older classic sort of boat, they will sooner or later always be able to be resold. All that being said your not looking for a lifetime boat , just a reliable cruiser for a year. I am thinking this sellers market will fold when all the new owners tire of their boat and the cost associated, slip, insurance and storage with them weather they get used or not, those fixed costs, just maybe not in time for your loop unfortunately.
