Feedback on possible purchase of 2 different boats

[Markis]

Looking for feedback on decision of 2 different sailboats for purchase:

1. 1977 Aloha 34 ft sailboat Asking 8k, owner willing to sell for 6k

2. 1978 Westerly Rogue 32 ft sailboat Asking 6k

Thanks

[boatman61]

I've never heard of a Westerly Rogue.. here's a list of all boats built by Westerly..
Sailboats built by Westerly Marine Construction Ltd. by year on Sailboatdata.com
For that reason alone I'd opt for the Aloha 34..
http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_ID=1150

[Markis]

Sorry its a Westerly Renown Ketch. Thanks

[Steadman Uhlich]

Looking on Yachtworld, there are other two Aloha 34s and they are priced MUCH higher than the one you have found.

$25K (1979) and $34.9K (1983)

IF your boat owner is willing to sell his for just $6K, I suspect there is something serious wrong with it to cause such a "below market level" price for the boat. In other words, a "red flag" it might be if the price is so below the price of roughly comparable boats. Caveat Emptor!

Aside from that, the two boats I looked at appear to be in good condition, and appear to be a typical coastal cruiser boat with some nice looking teak interior and standard layout.

The one I saw out of the water appears to have a saildrive and that is something you should read about on CF. Simply search for "Saildrive" using the Google Custom Search function on CF or look at a recent thread about Saildrive vs. Shaft Drive.

Good luck on your boat search.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Markis.

[skipmac]

Buy the one in the best condition requiring the least expensive repairs.

Expensive repairs like these, more less in order of cost

- Hull and deck, structural bulkheads, delamination, rotted core, etc.

- engine

- mast and rigging

- wiring/electrical

Most other stuff can be DIY repaired for reasonable costs.

[CaptRory]

These are very different boats. Do you want a ketch or a masthead sloop? I believe they are both fin keel, but Westerly is cast iron which can rust if you rub the paint off. The Aloha is a 34, the Westerly 32, that is a bigger difference in performance and comfort than you might think. The Westerly is a center cockpit, with walk trough (the cockpit) rear cabin, the Aloha an aft cockpit with quarter berth. You need to do a lot of research and decide what you want.

[TrentePieds]

As others have said, the two boats are entirely different. But in general, if you are buying at 6 or 8K, you may very well get a year or two out of the boat as is. Then the expenses will start. A 40 year old Volvo is prolly not worth repairing when she gets a case of Terminal Compression Deficiency. As she will, sooner or later. Count on pulling it out, tossing it and replacing it with a new, modern engine. The cost will be somewhere between 10K and 15K depending on how much you can do yourself.

New suit of sails may well be required depending on how many seasons the existing ones have behind them, and the kind of weather they've seen. Count on 10K to replace the entire suit.

Rigging isn't difficult, but the parts and the tools, if you don't have them, are expensive. To replace all standing rigging, count of 5K. If you need new spars, it might be 15K

Wiring in a 30 year old boat selling at this price is likely shot. Not difficult to replace, and the "bits" are not too ferociously expensive. To do it yourself might take you, say, 40 hours. And count on another 40 to close up the invasive surgery you may have to do to get at some of the wiring.

In short, cheap boats are rarely cheap. That's not a reason not to buy one. Just so long as you are realistic about the "upgrade" budget that is required to achieve adequacy.

Best of luck

TrentePieds

[hamburking]

The aloha, although pretty, is not a well constructed boat, and usually Atomic 4 equipped. I would avoid the aloha. IMHO, the westerly is a better design and a better build quality. However, I have owned neither.

[Don C L]

It's all about condition. Oh and yes original build quality. I've hard good things about Westerly but never seen one. Love the look of that aft berth in the Westerly though! That would DEFINITELY be the captain's cabin for me and I'd put big opening portlights in the transom too so I could fish from bed!

[reed1v]

Either boat is an excellent choice. Both were well made. The Aloha should sail better. Otherwise you can not go wrong with either one. Surprised the Aloha is going for so cheap a price. They usually command a premium.

[reed1v]

Originally Posted by hamburking

The aloha, although pretty, is not a well constructed boat, and usually Atomic 4 equipped. I would avoid the aloha. IMHO, the westerly is a better design and a better build quality. However, I have owned neither.

Hum, and just when did Alohas' have gas engines?