Want To Buy: WHO TO BUY A BOAT FROM??

[geoleo]

Its seldom discussed but can be a real issue and 'concern'. Namely just what kind of person is the seller of that sailboat you are thinking of buying. In the past umpteen years I have purchased 10 crusing sailboats so I might have a clue. Try to find a boat owned by a blue collar type instead of a Lawyer or a white collar paper pusher. Maybe a Mechanical Engineer who is also a man of means and also has a pilots license would be ideal. IMHO

[Pelagic]

Wish it was as easy as that,

...but you can have a blue collar mechanic who knows how to cover up serious defects prior to sale
Or conversely
A lawyer too busy to do his own maintenance, worries about family safety and liability so contracts maintenance out to a competent pro.

[Scott Berg]

As a full time captain for a range of people I would 2nd Pelagic. Every boat in my care is professionally maintained, with all records, logs, updated manuals, etc. While some DIY's may be as attentive (I can name a few!) most have neither the time nor the resources. Buying a maintained boat is a joy...

[Fore and Aft]

After countless surveys I would say there is no "Certain type" of seller to buy from. Anyone can be economical with the truth when they are selling their boat. For me the best seller is the wealthy dreamer who has over capitalized on the boat and wants to unload it without ever having used it.
Cheers

[boatman61]

Someone who can keep a clean bilge..

[Celestialsailor]

Unfortunately, you rarely see the original owner but talk to a broker instead.

[Fore and Aft]

boatman61 the clean bilge is a good indicator of the owner. I surveyed a yacht the other week with a compost toilet. The owner had got sick of emptying the pee container so he connected it to the shower sump. That was all good until the sump pump stopped working. That bilge stank and who knows how long the pump had not been working.
Cheers

[geoleo]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Someone who can keep a clean bilge..

A white collar worker doesnt clean bilges.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by georgetheleo

A white collar worker doesnt clean bilges.

That's what Moms and marriage are for..

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by georgetheleo

Its seldom discussed but can be a real issue and 'concern'. Namely just what kind of person is the seller of that sailboat you are thinking of buying. In the past umpteen years I have purchased 10 crusing sailboats so I might have a clue. Try to find a boat owned by a blue collar type instead of a Lawyer or a white collar paper pusher. Maybe a Mechanical Engineer who is also a man of means and also has a pilots license would be ideal. IMHO

Are you looking for a new boat or a new best friend?
Maybe Yachtworld can add owner type to the search criteria.
This is a business transaction to buy a toy, not a long term relationship.

[Sand crab]

Originally Posted by georgetheleo

.... and also has a pilots license would be ideal. IMHO

There's a cat for sale where the broker talks about it being lovingly owned by a professional pilot. Maybe that boat is the one.

[AKA-None]

Originally Posted by georgetheleo

A white collar worker doesnt clean bilges.

Really? I mean really? Clean as a whistle

[CMO Tashina]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Wish it was as easy as that,

...but you can have a blue collar mechanic who knows how to cover up serious defects prior to sale
Or conversely
A lawyer too busy to do his own maintenance, worries about family safety and liability so contracts maintenance out to a competent pro.

Yup, that would be me, a lawyer who hires a competent pro. But, hey, the person asking seems to have a fairly jaded view of lawyers.

[jim King]

My first sailboat was owned by a man who thought he was going to learn to sail but never did and finally gave up on his dream.

[Shrew]

Originally Posted by georgetheleo

Its seldom discussed but can be a real issue and 'concern'. Namely just what kind of person is the seller of that sailboat you are thinking of buying. In the past umpteen years I have purchased 10 crusing sailboats so I might have a clue. Try to find a boat owned by a blue collar type instead of a Lawyer or a white collar paper pusher. Maybe a Mechanical Engineer who is also a man of means and also has a pilots license would be ideal. IMHO

The weird, somewhat polarizing post followed by popcorn emogee would lead one to believe this is nothing but a troll to get a bunch of white collar boaters to respond in an attempt to defend this odd and misguided conclusion, which lacks facts or reason.

I'm often more afraid of the DIY work, than deferred maintenance or professionally serviced boats.