Yesterday, while making a list of stuff I need to procure, the thought crossed my mind that boat stuff, more than likely with the incoming regime, is going to become a whole lot more expensive in a hurry. For that matter, everything is going to cost more than we’d like with maybe the exception of used sailboats of the fixer-upper variety. So, maybe not a bad time if you’re looking for a VolksCruiser.
The downside of taking on a VolksCruiser project in 2025 is that just about everything folks tell you that you need is going to be even more silly-expensive than they are today.
For instance, there’s an Islander 36 currently going for $3.5K in Washington state on Craigslist. At first look it seems to be beyond redemption but on a second look doesn’t seem all that bad. Which is not me saying it’s a project you should take on as there are lots of non-project boats forlornly sitting for sale for less than the Islander would cost when all is said and done.
Which brings us to the important three questions you need to know the answer to before you even start looking…
- What can I afford to pay for a boat in cash (including fixing and outfitting)?
- How much can I afford to cruise on a monthly basis in cash?
- How many folk are going to be aboard?
With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at the Islander 36 in question and see where it takes us tomorrow…
In the meantime, an article you might want to check out about lithium-ion batteries and saltwater.