Is $15,000 Cheap for a 30ft Yacht?

[callmecrazy]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Does it strike anyone else oddly that there is no mention of what design she is, who built her, or any of the other things that would normally be of interest to a prospective buyer?

Jim

I thought the same thing at first, but it's just their website is a little confusing. The info is shown on the "about us" page.

It's a 1967 Rawson 30, apparently well outfitted...

[IslandHopper]

Well Steve reckons it's Cool.......

[Rhapsody-NS27]

I was looking at the pictures. It looks well used by the "stuff" laying around the boat. Definately looks like a liveaboard but I wonder how well it's really been taken care of. Even the flag is looking a bit too tattered. I would personally be hesitant about it and look around and see what else is out there before calling anyone up.

[Doodles]

Another thing to consider is its apparently a US register boat so you may have some taxes to pay when you bring it into NZ. I really don't know but its something you want to check out. May be another reason to look around locally first.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by one and only

I saw this boat for sale but I dont know much about boats and just wanted to buy a cheap one to 'play' around with.
Home - Bargain Yacht For Sale

IMO buying out of position (for you) is making things unneccesarily hard (especially on the getting her fit to get back to NZ side of things) - given your lack of knowledge I would advise against it.

In any event if you are looking for something to "play around with" (in NZ) then don't need a boat that is ocean / blue water capable.

But I am not yer Mum!, and it's not my money (or life!), so up to you.........

[southace]

Flight from Brisbane one way is AU $220 Im also a boat builder and ocean sailer....I also have just booked flights return to fiji in march I could take a peak if its still avalible.

[boatman61]

I'd need a hell of a lot more info.. and better pictures to take it halfway seriously...
Especially considering the remote location... Price..? it'll go down sooner or later..

[Tellie]

One thing I learned long ago, besides not falling in love with a perspective boat, is that if you miss out on one great deal there's always another one right around the corner.

[Pete7]

Perhaps look for something a little closer:

1978 Herreshoff 28 Sail New and Used Boats for Sale - www.yachtworld.co.uk

However, if you have the time then walking the marinas and chatting to folk is the only way to pick up a real bargain, particularly as your summer is drawing to an end shortly.

Pete

[Rhapsody-NS27]

Originally Posted by Pete7

walking the marinas and chatting to folk is the only way to pick up a real bargain, particularly as your summer is drawing to an end shortly.

Pete

Some boats might only sell by word of mouth so a lot of them won't be listed anywhere.

[David M]

With all the boats in the world that are up for sale, you do not have to travel that far to find a better deal.

[Connemara]

Some very good advice already.

Let me add that if you are in NZ, you are already in a great place to find a boat. Look at tradeaboat.co.nz and sort by price; you'll find a lot of boats in the $15,000 (NZ) range.

Some are small, some are large. Some are crap and some are good.

But there's probably no need to go to Fiji to find a bargain.

Connemara

[otherthan]

last year I considered a boat from UK (iam in montreal) at the time I was looking for a particular model from Thompson...I was willing to fly there and sail it back, but befor I did anything I asked the owner to have it surveyed and send me a copy...turned out with a wet coared hull (deal braker)

[tropicalescape]

he said he was negotiate on the price and if he sailed from the US to Fiji and it has a good amount of gear go look and then decide....DVC

[Cheechako]

That appears to be a Rawson 30. They are good boats, Bill Garden design. Not finely finished, although many were home finished, so the interior could be like a fishing boat or all teak!. I dont know the details on that one, but $15k would likely be the high end. Depends on tha age of the diesel motor and other things. They sail well, but are not really overbuilt. Cutaway full keel. Some weather helm. Later models had a trapeziodal rudder shape, earlier were the crescent moon shape like many other older boats. The newer rudder keeps control better. Many have short bowsprits which balances the boat better. Iron punchings in cement in the keel on most.

I see since my initial post that it is a Rawson. '67 would be an older one, built prior to the early seventies and the oil crisis. Good news is it may be thicker than the ones built inthe 70's. They have a huge deep cockpit and the companionway goes almost to the floor. Mine was modified with a bridgedeck and higher companionway. Tiller steering. One of the driest boats I've ever owned of any size. Mine ended up with a REALLY bad case of blisters, so check that out. Also, I saw one boat that apparantly the cement in the bilge swelled (from freezing?) and there was a big bump in the fiberglass on the keel from that. If the engine has not been replaced with a newer diesel, I would think the boat would be worth more in the 8k range.... as a bargain and located in the middle of nowhere...