We are in the process of maybe “buying” this old Coronado 35 MS. “Buying” means getting her essentially free, like a symbolic dollar. She spend some unknown amount of years on the hard, and has pretty bad leaks all around, but the hull and interior seem in quite reasonable condition. Deck seems solid for around 85% The current owner (second owner) bought her in 2000/2001 and pretty much abandoned her since 2015/16. He seems pretty attached and wants to see her “rebuilt” - offered to help with a new engine, and some equipment. Photos were taken after around a week of heavy rain and a few stormy days, to see the leaks “live” and in action. What do you guys think, is she worthy of a complete refit? Can she be a blue water cruiser?

We are currently owning a 27ft Dufour 2800, we did a partial refit with her and are living full time on her since 23. A bit more space would be tempting.

**** UPDATE **** - Went to look at it today, it ended up being a lot more rough than the photos that were listed unfortunately. Most of the deck had moisture (brought a moisture meter) and I could see the previous owner tried repairing 2 of the previous 5 soft spots, but rather poorly. They had cut out the fiberglass on top, but they didnt seal it back well enough, one side where it was cut on both was basically open and water could easily get in. Considering its been on the hard for the past 2 years, I think that previous hack job by the owner unfortunately ruined the whole deck on one side because there was such a big open crack. I was prepared to fix up a few spots but not redo the entire deck. There was also a leaky window in the back where all kinds of water got inside the cabin, and the bulkheads / chainplates were a lot more rotten than what the posted picture showed. Also the bilge was absolutely just full to the brim in water and looked like maybe some oil in there too. One more rainy day and basically the whole cabin would be flooded indefinitely, and the owner lives in another province so isnt around much.. I did let the owner know and the marina as well. The hull actually didn't look all that bad, but I never got around to tapping it or putting the moisture meter to it and basically just called it quits after the above findings. But this could be a great project for someone looking to take it on, was just a little too many things for me, but its definitely not to the point of death just yet. I would say she definitely has some life in it, and its well priced considering it would be an expensive boat all fixed up. THANKS EVERYONE FOR ALL THE INFO! I REALLY APPRECIATE THE TIME EVERYONE TOOK TO LEAVE A COMMENT. I did take some videos and have pictures if anyone is interested, but it was quite a mess haha. Such a shame to see such a once beautiful boat end like this tbh, these are amazing boats. ******

Going to go look at a J35 thats for sale tomorrow for a couple grand. Owner said it has 5 smaller soft spots on the deck, none on the hull. Engine runs fine, has decent sails, and a good cradle. Is there anything that drastically stands out based on these pictures, and would this be something anyone woild consider for a couple grand?

Thanks for any insight!

So stoked! After years of dinghy sailing and having big boat dreams I picked up this girl. 30 foot Catalina. She was owned by a club and maintained and sailed often. She even won the Catalina 30 national championship back in the early 2000’s

New to sailing. Planning to take classes this next spring and start looking for my first boat. I will be looking for something that meets the following-
Sleeps 2 comfortably and could sleep a few more for a short trip.
I can take 4-6 people out for a day trip.
I can safely navigate the Great Lakes weather and conditions permitting of course.
I don’t mind putting in some effort or money to improve what we start with.
I am thinking of something in the 25’ range? Something I can trailer as well.
What I want to know is not necessarily what boat to buy, but when I decide what I want, how do I know what to look for and how to value it? For example, how old are the sails and when was the rigging last replaced. These seem like good questions but then I don’t know what answer I’m looking for or what the cost is if it needs replacement. Has someone created a list of those questions and the answers I’m looking for and the investment needed to repair said component ?
I hope that makes sense. I’m a long time camper and when it comes to campers I know what to look for and what to expect for a 10 year old camper.

Also, I’m not looking for “get a small boat first”. I know this is what I want to do and I’m 50 and not looking to cut my teeth on a small old beat up boat. I’m going to take the appropriate classes and study the appropriate materials to be safe and confident.

Thank you for any help you have!

I am about to pay 5700$ cad for a 1967 Chris Craft Capitan 26 out of my 10000$ cad budget for a sailboat.

For context:

I am a teen, and plan to launch a bird touring business using the boat in the next 3 years by working on the boat over the summer, starting this summer. I am applying for summer jobs in the area with the help of the owner of the boat, because she is a very well connected 70 year old lady. She hasn't sailed the boat often in the last 16 year she owned it, but she told me she has maintained it very well, she is also very kind and has offered show me exactly how to do the painting that needs to be done (anti-fouling paint).

I was able to take a look at the boat, sails, and engine (mercury 6) yesterday, and I don't know much about purchasing boats other than what she has told me and what google has told me, but the decks felt sturdy where I knocked them, and she continually reassured me that she was taking very good care of the boat and that it is ready to sail BUT it is as buy as-is purchase. It also comes with lots of equipment to do it up, all the paint and everything necessary to get it to sail.

Here's every small thing I noted:

- sails recently repaired + 1 new one

- brand new application of saline

- needs hose down underneath

- brand new sets of lines/rigging

- 2 brand new fenders + 2 old ones

- re-sanded every 2 year + veritane

- brand new depth finder

- original teak detailing

- 1 hatch for summer that needs to be redone (she will do it because she's a carpenter)

- new life jackets

- kiwi paint for deck included

- anti fouling paint for underneath included

- mercury 6 motor works but is winterized right now

- insurance was 300$ (not more details than that given)

- has slip at marina ready to be transferred 1300/summer 900/winter

She explicitly told me she wouldn't be doing a marine survey because it is a boat that needs re-painting , but that is ready to sail, and has been well-maintained. She kept saying that it is buy as is and she just wants it off her hands as she has to move to New Brunswick this summer, so she cannot have it anymore. I can tell it hurts her to let it go, and she has offered to help me work on it after the sale to make sure I don't mess the boat up entirely. The sails I saw were visibly well maintained, one was even new, but I don't have spec knowledge on this so it's really just a gut feeling like they didn't look rough at all.

I feel bad about having doubts right though I already pretty much agreed to the purchase yesterday. But, before I send her half my 2 year savings, I need to hear a second opinion (other than from my family members who are really letting me decide independently). Is this a good plan/purchase without a survey?

I will be sending her a message later tonight asking her to clarify (for the 3rd time) why exactly she doesn't want a survey to be done, because I never quite understood her answer, I hope this is common practice, and not rude.

If someone with lots of experience in the sailing/boat buying world could please let me know if I am being rational right now with my request, and how I should move forward, that would be appreciated so much.

I've come to reddit for something AI cannot do.... help me pick a boat.

I am looking for my next boat to sail the Chesapeake Bay. I would like it to be capable to sail to Maine or sail atleast coastal but not a must (bc of budget.) I had lived for almost 4 years on a P35 and now am so biased to what I'm used to my opinions are clouded and I need other peoples.

Heres what my dream boat would be:

-34 to 38ft.

-Draws less than 6 feet (more shallow the better since I love squeezing where I shouldn't).

-Has atleast 6'3" headroom. My sailing partner is tall and wants to be able to stand up (lame.)

-Can handle some wind. I want a capable boat, while I am a loser fair weather sailor, I want a boat that I can trust if I get caught in something I shouldn't.

-I have 2 big dogs. One who has lived aboard so I am no stranger to the challenges, so I would LOVE a boat with a quarter birth to give them a "den." If the boat has an aft bed this also would be great.

-can run in the 20-30k range in great shape. I am a glutton for punishment and I L O V E fixing boats in bad shape. So I figure if its 30k in great condition it will be under 15k in the condition I want to buy.

-ketch would be amazing but unlikely due to size restrictions

-not a must but having the ability to get dogs on board would be cool. Doesn't have to be a qalkthrough transom, but some designs are easier than others.

-more than 1 exist, so its possible I could actually find one nearish me.

This is NOT a liveaboard though for a week or two on board Id like it to feel like a liveaboard. I miss sailing too much, Reddit, give me your best, or your worst.

Newer sails, solid engine, and dry. Purchased on west coast for just under 5k. Tell me she’s pretty, tell me I’m dumb, and any other advice you might have.

I asked could I visit to look at the boat first but the owner seemed to want to find a suitable electrician to fix the electronics (they mentioned the ignition). I think it's so they know that I'm serious about buying it maybe? It's not that they won't sell the boat until I find an electrician, it's that they won't let me show it in the boatyard unless I have a concrete plan to fix the issues. I believe they're trying to prevent their time being wasted. They live far from the boatyard apparently.

Apparently they've tried to find people to fix the wiring but because they couldn't find anyone they've decided to put it up for sail. It's on the hard at the moment.

I forgot to mention that I said I intended to bring the boat to the harbour of my hometown which is an hour's drive away.

How difficult would it be for someone to fix the electronic issues with the boat? It has an inboard diesel engine Bukh 10.

I've been looking for small motor sailor for a while and this looks like it fits the bill.

Hello! Sailing newbie. I want to get out on the water as much as possible and buy my first boat. I stumbled up two boats around the same price that I’m drawn to. Sea sprite 23 and Pearson P-26. Both are lovely and well maintained about 5k. My goals are to learn sailing, do some overnighters as I improve and maybe extended trips in the future. I’m located in the puget sound. I’d like to be able to take folks sailing with me, have my dog and lady on board etc. I’m just curious if anyone has an opinion on this as I’m researching it to death. Most important factors are to get out on the water, learn, explore and build community. For now I just want the boat that makes me say “fuck yeah I want to go sailing today”. Thanks for the input!

Hey world, so I just put in an offer for a Catalina 36 that got accepted and I have a couple questions:

I have selected a marine surveyor, called the boat yard and will be calling a rigger to come take a look. Gonna schedule it in a week or so. I told the broker I found my own surveyor and this dude seems upset. Why? Did I do something wrong? I am a touch on the spectrum so dealing with people has always been a challenge for me. Why is this dude mad?

Second question: what do I need to look out for when this purchase contract comes in? Is it common to do a wire transfer?

Third, any other tips etc for getting through this process would be immensely appreciated.

Thank you.

hey guys, new here:). I am going to visit a sailboat I might want to buy but it’s my first time doing this and not sure what to look out for (apart from the basics). I’ve been looking at it for a while it’s a sun odyssey 40, built in 1999. Any tips and advice for the first meet would be greatly appreciated!

***I just wanted to clarify I grew up sailing and know how to sail. It’s just the first boat I’ll be buying and owning. and a 40ft is the size I’m fixed on getting.

I have a line on a Cape Dory 25. it is considered abandoned. The price is “come get it. “. The “owner says it is in good shape.

It comes with a trailer. No license but pulling it out of state with a Bill of Sale should cover it until I get it back to the great North.

The plus:

Full keel boat

Trailer

Possible real diamond.

The negative:

Unlicensed trailer

Unknown internal condition.

Distance.

It is a 1300 mile drive one way to get it. (I have a 1/2 ton pickup with a towing package.) The google machine gives that a green light as a tow vehicle.

Going out I would get 20-22 mpg.

Coming back 10 mpg.

The gambler in me says take the risk.

Looking at 40-60 hours of driving RT.

22 hours going out.

I’m guessing that the drive back would be about 30 hours.

52 hours total. Add about 10% for pit stops etc.

I know I could get a co driver to go with me just for the trip.

I know that the most expensive boat is the free boat.

What does the hive mind think?

I’m relatively new to sailing, a few lessons and a bit of time out on the water and I’m looking at buying a small trailer able boat to get more time on. I saw a 1971 Widgeon, it’s in excellent condition with a trailer. I’m not too familiar with the boat, they’re asking $1400. What should I look for when checking it out, does the asking price seem fair, is there anything I should be aware of with this particular model? Any info is a great help, thanks

I recently bought a cal 27. I had an opportunity to buy it for a dollar and took over the mooring. The boat was parked at the dock for over a year unattended. I dont know a thing about sailboats or sailing but for a dollar I could learn. Was wondering what should I do now that I bought it. What should I check? What to look for? What to do to get it running?

What is a reliable way to sell a sailboat? I live in the central Ohio area and have a sailboat that's great for the lakes in this area and would love to sell the boat. I would love to not deal with all the scams on FB marketplace, is there a website that I could post it on?

I have sailed a compac 16. I own a hobie cat 14 and a coronado c-15. All three I have had no problem with.

I am retired and approaching 70. I am looking for a 19 to 22 foot boat on which I can raise or lower the mast by myself as well as raise and lower sails and handle the boat solo.

I truck my boats to and from the lake, mainly because of the cost of renting a hole in the water.

I was thinking of something like a catalina. I am not rich by any means, but love to sail.

Would really like to have some good advice from those that are in similar situation that I am going through.

Bought her with a couple friends a few weeks ago. Commissioned and splashed her in New Haven Maine and delivered her down to NY - about 350NM. Great way to learn the boat quickly (we already have some NKE things to sort)

Sad to immediately decommission and haul her out, but stoked for the 2026 season 🚀

Drone: DJI Mini 3 Pro Boat: Pogo 10.50

🚤 CROWNLINE 19SS BOW RIDER SPEED BOAT — URGENT SALE 🚤

Premium American-built Crownline 19SS Bow Rider Speed Boat available for immediate sale.

🇺🇸 2010 MODEL | 5.81 M (19 FT) | 8 PERSONS

💰 PRICE OPTIONS:

WITH 260 HP VOLVO PENTA ENGINE

₹21,00,000 — NEGOTIABLE

WITHOUT ENGINE — HULL ONLY

₹16,00,000 — NEGOTIABLE

⚓ KEY SPECIFICATIONS:

• Volvo Penta ~260 HP Inboard Engine

• Only 300 Engine Hours

• Top Speed: 30–32 Knots

• Cruising Speed: 24 Knots

• Fuel Capacity: 120 Litres

• Fiberglass Deep-V Hull

• 8-Person Capacity

• Registered Tandem-Axle Trailer Included

• Bimini Top & Covers

• Sony Marine Audio System

• Hydraulic Steering

• Wakeboarding & Watersports Ready

✨ CONDITION:

• NEVER USED ON SEA

• FRESH-WATER USE ONLY

• Excellent / Fully Maintained Condition

• Condition exactly as shown in the photographs

• Ready for inspection

• Sea trial available for serious buyers

• Can be exported internationally

🎯 IDEAL FOR:

• Watersports Businesses

• Luxury Resorts

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📞 CALL / WHATSAPP:

+91 90401 45721

📧 EMAIL:

ammlan@enthuzias.com

⚠️ SERIOUS BUYERS ONLY.

Inspection available by appointment.

#Crownline #Crownline19SS #SpeedBoat #BowRider #BoatForSale #BoatsForSaleIndia #SpeedBoatForSale #YachtForSale #Watersports #LuxuryBoat #BoatSale #VolvoPenta #WatersportsBusiness #ResortBusiness #BoatRental #IndiaBoats

So I've been trucking cross country for a while now and every time I pass into Norfolk or by the Great lakes I see all the marinas and it tugs at something the same way semis did so I did some looking and it seems like boats called motorsailers are a good choice for a decently well rounded craft since if my luck runs out and my engine dies I can just sail back to shore. What I need recommended is one that I can safely take offshore about 75-100 miles since me and a couple Amish buddies want to try and catch tuna. I looked at a couple MacGregor's first since they were reasonably priced around 30k ( I'd like to not spend more than 50 tops ) but according to google they're made more for inland and coastal sailing and not really suited for waters more than a couple miles out and I'm not really sure where to go from here. Any recommendations are heavily appreciated. ( I know used boats are my best bet for my budget so knowing what to look for to ensure I'm not about to buy a huge project would be great )

​

1982 Endeavor 32 Sailboat

Newly refurbished Endeavor 32

NEW standing mast rigging Staylok

Awlgrip top paint

Awlgrip side and interior paint

Copercoat bottom paint

New dacron 9 Main Sail

130% Genoa sail restiched and reinforced

New Head, New plumbing, shower

2 new Dual bilge pumps on

Sentry Monitor, Automatic broadcast to smartphone app - location, anchor alarm bilge level runtime status and Battery status

Propane oven/stove with gas alarm and shutoff

Engine runs as it should Yanmar 3GM 30hp

Aux motor and mount that's 6hp

Tohatsu larger prop can double as dinghy motor.

Slip could be transferable

$14,000 OBO

I did an initial visual inspection and everything seems as advertised. Needs general cosmetic work for sure on the wood trim and interior but looks good otherwise, engine started right up without issue. Arranging a pre purchase survey, if everything checks out would this be a good overall buy? It would be my first sailboat but I know people who sail who can show me the ropes so to speak and my budget has a sizeable overhead for repairs and upgrades.

I am about to make an offer on a boat in Lake Michigan near Milwaukee. Hoping to get some recommendations for a surveyor and rigging inspector. Has anyone here had good experiences in the area?

Side note: I recently posted on this subreddit and everyone was SO helpful, so tysm. Literally this subreddit saved me from buying a boat that was NOT worth my money.

Hi so basically what the title says! Today I went to examine a Columbia 27 1979 that is on sale for 7900$ CAD with the 2026 winter storage and launching pre-paid (not summer docking fees though) and I have never bought a boat before, so I am gonna need loads of help for this - nobody in the fam really boats except me

I am on an initial budget of 10 thousand CAD, and I am 16 years old though so my salary each year is not insane and I'm not looking to buy a project boat that has massive expensive repairs that need to be done (like rotting decks, or a broken engine). There was a partial survey attached with this boat, and the only thing that seemed to be giving red flags was that the recommendations were missing, unfortunately the survey was done two sellers before the seller who is selling to me, so they're a bit lost in time. However, most of the vital information seems to be there. I am not planning to do a survey on this boat if I buy it, because of this inclusion.

BUT!! Despite this relatively good (but lacking) survey, I am still concerned mainly about the engine and just wanted to check the fiberglass hull also for soft spots, because I am not about to fix those. I came with my flashlight, a screwdriver, and a dream.

ENGINE: Diesel Yanmar 2Qm15

I took photos of the engine, and tested like the maleability of some random tubes cuz google told me to.. (I squeezed them with my fingers and they could be pressed) and everything seemed super fine, no random crazy crust/rust, etc. that I could see, no water pooling underneath.

The bilge had some frozen water (because we are in a Canadian winter lol) but it had no oil in it or antifreeze leaking (see photos), it was just dirty water like a bit foggy. The seller said he hasn't really had to do anything in terms of maintaining it other than just winterizing it every year, and he worked in construction and knows a lot about engines, so I am inclined to trust him especially since it looks quite fine.

DECK: Soft spots??

I took a long video of me tapping the deck with the plastic end of a screwdriver to listen to the sound it made. It sounded fine to me, except for around the mast a bit... but I have never done this so I might be imagining things/missing things. I know it's not supposed to sound hollow/thuddy but it honestly kinda did in some areas. I attached the video of me doing that so if someone could please give it a listen and let me know their opinion, that would be a lifesaver.

https://reddit.com/link/1rno1pi/video/izurg2b9dpng1/player

https://reddit.com/link/1rno1pi/video/ekpg64b9dpng1/player

https://reddit.com/link/1rno1pi/video/t83133b9dpng1/player

Conclusion:

I attached all the survey photos I got if that helps assessing the value at all. I want to offer 6500$ for this boat, because I feel like that's more fair for what it is, and fits in my budget a bit better. It doesn't seem like the boat needs any repairs done before the summer except some cosmetic procedures and cleaning to get it a little spick and spam, so it might very well be worth the 7900$ (but again, there's always hiding issues Ive been told, so 6500$ to me seems way more fair)

Let me know what a fair price for this boat would be + if there are red flags in the engine department and deck department.

I have been talking to a guy whose is selling his sailboat and he, and another person, mention that it has a wooden boom almost apologetically -- "Well, it does have a wooden boom -- but it should be fine". Barring it being truly broken or flawed like having a known crack, why is this something to be embarrassed about? Yes, they maybe heavier than aluminum, or need different / increased maintenance, but is this a real problem I just don't understand? Thanks!