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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Irwin 30 ' worth it?

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gbeardjr
Navigator

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USA
101 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/26/2007 : 22:32:16

I have been browsing boats because I want to upgrade to something more suitable for coastal cruising around Galveston Island. I was not planning to do this so soon but have found what seems to be like a deal that is too good to be true. I have been watching the boat on craigslist for the last month. The original asking price was 10k. He is now down to 4k. To get it at this price it must be out of his slip by Friday. If all looks good on the boat is there anything specific I can look for without getting a survey to see if it is truly as good as it sounds? I have a 1978 Cat 25 SK and trailer. I am pretty certain I can sell my boat for more than his current asking price.

http://houston.craigslist.org/boa/360639182.html

http://houston.craigslist.org/boa/360639182.html

There are 10 kinds of people in this world. Those that understand binary and those that don't

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2007 : 23:00:16

Have you ever heard about "if it seems too good to be true..." What's the vintage? What's the auxiliary? What's the condition? What's the equipment? Sails any good? Are you gonna hafta repower? Any idea what that would cost? (Answer--a lot.)

That "by Friday" thing is bogus. If he doesn't sell, what's he gonna do--raise the price?? Take your time, take a look, and make an offer contingent on a survey. If he won't go along with the contingency, run, don't walk away. He's hiding something, and there are plenty of boats out there.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2007 : 01:04:10

Sounds like someone with a problem needs to get out of a self inflicted problem, in a Big Hurry. Other people's deadlines generally spell trouble.

'Only' $4,000 could translate into more headaches and a bigger project than you're capable of or prepared for.

Survey, haul-out and a test sail.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2007 : 05:43:09

Have to agree with the other posters - Seems too good an offer and there must be something wrong. Also, when you are dealing with a proportionately larger boat than you have right now, the cost to fix whatever needs fixing is generally a lot more.

However, if really set on pursueing this deal, rcmd see if you could get a survey done ASAP...like tomorrow. I would at the very least after giving it a good personal inspection, pay to have it hauled out and inspect the bottom. Perhaps the yard that hauls it out may have a repair guy that can help you inspect it if you cannot arrange for a survey. Blisters is one thing but any rot that is internal and you are not aware of initially could be a real maintenance headache if significant. Any noticeable areas of repair work....and believe on this Forum...maybe in the technical tips section, there may be a checklist to help with a personal inspection. There is just too many things to list....condition of the stays, sails, mast, motor. Inspect the bilge for signs of past water issues and the condition of the keel bolts. All fittings (ie. rudder).

Inspecting a 13' sailboat is relatively easy. Going up in size makes the job much more complex and I would just be concerned as to the cost for fixing and maintaining a 30 footer. As the size creeps up, so does the mantenance costs and more importantly for a used boat buy is the initial and following year repair costs. This si something to really consider when going up in size. In our boats, it is relatively easy to go thru $7k or so in a year or more for even a boat that is in relatively good shape. For a 30 footer, the cost could be double that and if there is any hidden areas needing repair, then that's an additional cost.

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Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2007 : 05:58:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OLarryR
 Have to agree with the other posters - Seems too good an offer and there must be something wrong.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

We all know the "quoted" saying, it's just that sometimes there are circumstances that sometimes occur that cause some very good deals to present themselves. The purchase of my catalina 250 several years ago was one of those "To good to be true" mythbusters. I traveled 1000 miles only to find the boat in showroom condition!

Exception to the rule? Probably. Sometimes you gotta just check it out and see for yourself. Don't just run away. Just don't get your expectations up and in this case, don't let him "hurry" the transaction. Use this formula: (old boat)+ (exceptional deal)= Survey

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2007 : 05:58:39

I had a boat (Catalina 25, 89 wing keel)surveyed near Galveston, in Clear Lake. I couldn't believe the condition of the bottom. I was since told that this area is so polluted that the bottoms are really bad.
A survey is a must, in my opinion.
I just rejected a really nice looking boat (Ericson 32)based on the survey.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2007 : 07:02:28

How can you tell that the guy selling it owns it?

For a newish boat, we'll certainly have documentation, but older boats ????

I always get a kick out of seeing signs 'For Sale By Owner'. How come you never see a sign 'For sale by grumpy neighbor'

Who are you dealing with on this one?
Get a name, google it!

Paul

ps. Reminds me of the guy in miami that purchased an old 30' sailboat in pretty good condition. The owner had died, the family had sold the house and had to get rid of the boat that day! <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">$1,500 cash to take it away today!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> He paid, had the boat towed, spent $150 on bits for the engine, repainted the hull and that was it. He smiles all the way to Biscayne bay!

P.A.

Edited by - britinusa on 06/27/2007 07:05:09

SailCO26
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2007 : 09:28:38

Over time I've come to this conclusion about purchasing used boats (I never by cars/boats new): A $15k boat is still a $15k boat, no matter what you pay for it. IE, if you buy a $15k boat for $10k, expect to invest another $5k. :)

Of course, there are exceptions occasionally.

My trimmer used to work at the big local sailboat joint (until they sold out to the dark side). He always used to laugh at the number of people who'd purchase a used Hobie for $200-500 thinking they got a killer deal, then go into shock when they find it needs $2k+ worth of parts.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2007 : 10:10:39

and Irwins are antiquated crap.

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gbeardjr
Navigator

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USA
101 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2007 : 12:48:43

Boat is now sold . I am glad now I don't have to worry about all that anymore. The owner said the engine was replaced 2002, brand new Main sail and bottome job done last year.

Edited by - gbeardjr on 06/27/2007 15:11:49

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2007 : 14:14:51

I wasn't going to say it Frank, but I heard the same thing from a sailboat broker in the Keys. Look at Sailboat trader magazine and you will see lots of them for cheap.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2007 : 19:27:19

I met with the liveaboard owner of an Irwin 43 MkII down in Biscayne bay a couple of months ago. It may be an 'old' boat, but was in great condition and the layout was great. All you tree huggers would like it, fiberglass hull but plenty of wood uptop and in the cabin. They almost had a dance floor at the bottom of the companionway steps. That boat is in my list of dream boats.

Paul

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2007 : 20:09:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusa
 I met with the liveaboard owner of an Irwin 43 MkII down in Biscayne bay a couple of months ago. It may be an 'old' boat, but was in great condition and the layout was great. All you tree huggers would like it, fiberglass hull but plenty of wood uptop and in the cabin. They almost had a dance floor at the bottom of the companionway steps. That boat is in my list of dream boats.

Paul
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Obviously, you've never been in a Caliber. Not only well designed, beautifully appointed, but fast for a "cruising" boat. Irwins tend to have under rated hardware from what I've seen, too small winches, blocks, rigging, etc.

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