Lin & Larry Pardey's advice:
"Go small, go simple, but go Now!"
THE COST CONSCIOUS CRUISER: CHAMPAGNE CRUISING ON A BEER BUDGET
My particular advice: 
- Never buy a new boat
- Treat your first crusing boat purchase like you would budget to buy a used bicycle, with training wheels.
- There are plenty of good reliable boats for sale, under $20K - and often, for $10K or less.
- If you pay attention to lien sales, and marina auctions - you can find some real bargains.
- There are non-profits that acquire used boats - and turn-around and sell them. Those can be interesting sources for finding very discounted boats for sale.
- Programs like Sea Scouts often sell donated boats, too.
- I would also consider looking for boats that were damaged after recent hurricanes - and there are some sites that specialize in selling salvaged boats.
- Some of the most motivated boat sellers are folks going through a divorce, who have lost a job, or have to relocate for a job.
- There is a non-zero probability that some couples who annually make the crossing ("The Pacific Puddle Jump") to places like Tahiti - that will be *very* eager to sell their boat upon arrival.
Now, there are some that would argue that buying a used boat, or one that is hurricane-damaged, or designated as "salvaged" - will require you to do repairs yourself (to keep the refit costs reasonable)...and that is true - but trust me when I tell you - you are going to need to learn how to do repairs yourslef - BEFORE you embark on a cruise of any appreciable distance. Better to do that in a location that has ready access to marine supply stores, marine professionals, etc.
For it is a saltwater truism:
The definition of Cruising: "Fixing your boat in exotic locations."
“The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea.”
– Isak Dinesen
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| (2004, Bahia Balandra, Baja Sur Mexico) |
