Here are a few tips, or things I think one should consider before buying a sailboat (or accepting a free one). With the exception of the “learn to sail” one, these aren’t necessarily mandatory; at least think about them before diving into boat ownership.
These aren’t unique, but they immediately came to mind when I was penning my thoughts on sailboat ownership after selling my boat. So, I thought I would share them.
- Learn to sail
This may seem like common sense for those in the market for a sailboat, but I’ve seen several people take the leap without knowing their aft from their ebb. Poke around the waterfront, or the sailing forums online and you’ll find many claiming that the best way to learn to sail is by finding an old salt to “take you out” a few times. Nothing against sailing with old salts, but taking an accredited, basic keelboat class (US Sailing, ASA, RYA classes are widely available) will give you a taste of what sailing is like and a great foundation for a lifetime of learning. That structured learning coupled with some time on the water with an old (or young) salt, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming quite salty yourself. - Join a club
If this is your first foray into boat ownership, being part of a sailing community is going to be a great asset. While I’m sure this exists at some marinas or town mooring fields. Boat clubs offer community in spades: Lots of helping hands, advice and opinions (sometimes too many). There are a lot of online communities as well, and I encourage you to participate there as well, but nothing beats spending time with people. - Know the costs, but don’t get too hung up on it
Before purchasing a boat, you should understand what you’re getting into. There are a lot of expenses beyond the boat itself. Do some research and estimate your annual all-in costs, including maintenance, insurance and storage. Don’t forget any upgrades you might want like new canvas or a really sweet sound system. That being said, tracking every cost down to the penny probably isn’t a good use of your time and certainly won’t add to the enjoyment of your sailboat. - Look for a boat that fits your style and region
Budget is important, but not the only thing you should consider when looking for boats. Also think about the kind of sailing you’re going to be doing and where. A 42 foot, blue water cruiser isn’t necessary if you’ll be day sailing on a lake. Bigger boats come with more systems to maintain–an unnecessary headache when you aren’t using them. - Remember, it is a lot easier to buy a boat than to sell one
Even beautiful and fairly priced boats can sit on the market for a while. Remember, this is not an investment, and it is far from liquid.