An interesting premise, some missing scientists, and in the “some very interesting history” department…
Speaking of Islander 36s for sale, they say a lot about the current used boat market. Every boat for sale has its own story, situational narrative, and concerns that brings it to the marketplace. Their backstory is seldom simple but important.
Most folks will say that the reason a boat is priced low is all about the boats condition. In my experience, the condition of a boat while always a factor, is never the whole story.
Most boats for sale could fuel a novel. In fact, a lot of boats could be the muse for a series of novels if only we knew more about them.
For instance, there’s a Islander 36 in San Diego that has been on and off the market for a few years now. The asking price has ranged from around $30K to $500 and yet it still remains unsold. I often ponder what combination of events made this particular cursed boat a Flying Dutchman destined to haunt the internet on Craigslist forever. Still, I feel the need to understand what story this particular boat has to tell.
I expect it’s more a mystery than a tragedy…
The reason a boat is for sale is seldom simple. It could be a money problem, a work complication, marital conflict, aquaphobia, or other multitudinous reasons.
The reason a boat does not sell is equally complicated. It might be unaffordable for most or it might be that there’s no affordable place to moor the boat once bought. It could be that the boat doesn’t jive with the buyers storyline or, possibly, it’s just the wrong color.
I’ve always thought that one should never buy a boat that you can’t imagine yourself falling in love with. Sure there are profuse good reasons not to buy a boat in poor condition. Can I get an Amen? However, it’s important to have that empathic spark to get through that whole making a boat your own insanity.
Amen!
I just seen a Sadler 26 (unsinkable), for under £4k. When i was rebuilding my first cruiser, they were £25k, which is why i spent 2 years rebuilding a 40 year old boat.
For a well known boat with “easy” re-sale, its a tempting buy for a seasons cruise in the Azores. You do not get a lot of boat in ply and epoxy these days for £4K.
Old glass boats end up in the grinder here, once stripped of any hardware.
I’ve noticed that “Internet boats” tend to be the worst of the lot. And they are often nothing like their descriptions, to the point it’s so comical you can’t really get upset. Have had many a memorable road trip as a result! (Have also met some wonderful people with boats that were as described too)
A good point. That said, going to look at a boat from a brokerage is pretty much the same thing. I assume from the get-go that any boat for sale is going to be horrible. Where boats or anything else these days the operative mantra is buyer beware.
The upside , where those great deals are concerned, is if you don’t look you’ll never find them.