buying a boat for a vacation and selling after

[Art Haberland]

Lusty brought it up with the Port Townsend Woodenboat Festival and I have been watching videos of people sailing Potters and the like on Lake Powell.

I am beginning to think that even if I spent 5 grand on a boat to sail for two weeks on Powell and sold it at a loss of a a grand or two, I would still be ahead of dragging my Monty from NJ to Arizona and back.

what do people here thing?

[wdscobie]

but would you enjoy the sailing with the Potter?

[lustyslogger]

Lusty brought it up with the Port Townsend Woodenboat Festival and I have been watching videos of people sailing Potters and the like on Lake Powell.

I am beginning to think that even if I spent 5 grand on a boat to sail for two weeks on Powell and sold it at a loss of a a grand or two, I would still be ahead of dragging my Monty from NJ to Arizona and back.

what do people here thing?

Thanks for the support. I have heard of people buying cars in Europe and touring then selling the car when they return. I just read a book titled "Mum's Beauty" about a family that bought a boat, toured France's canal system and then sold the boat (although they lost money on the boat, Mom's Beauty refers to something only a mother could love!, they still were able to tour Europe for several years.

As for Dave's question perhaps the Montgomery would be a better sail but sailing any boat should bring a sparkle to your eye.

Go for it.

[Art Haberland]

it is a good question, Dave. But dis-regarding the the boat in question: If I could find suitable boat in the area and buy it, use it for two weeks, and sell it on, even at a loss.. would it be worth it? I think just in gas, tolls, and wear and tear on my vehicle and trailer there and back (plus travel time) it may still be cheaper than 2 weeks in a hotel

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Certainly would be worth it IF the boat was sail-ready and the trailer, if included, was roadworthy. I have found some not so even if they were described as so.

[wdscobie]

If I could find suitable boat in the area and buy it, use it for two weeks, and sell it on, even at a loss.. would it be worth it?

I think the other side of this is if you were able to find a boat how long will it take to coordinate everything to make it, as Charlie has noted, seaworthy? I know my own behavior in addition to what I've watched many others do is they spend months and months with a new to them boat getting it ready to be put in the water. A really ready to go boat maybe harder to find than you think. I have purchased a couple that were close, my home SWALLOW being one, and still spent week putting some finishing touches before splashing. I guess you have to make a choice to buy it and use it and not adjust it in any way.

The next part of the hassle would be how to sell it when you are nowhere near the boat? I have a boat trailer I've been trying to sell for almost two years. It's really hard to sell for I'm rarely near the trailer and able to show it to prospects.

[JacquesR]

I myself, would look in the possibility of renting a boat if such is available in the region. If you do buy a boat, you might be stuck in Port Townsend for a while to sell it. Or you might have to trailer it back home.

[lustyslogger]

If I could find suitable boat in the area and buy it, use it for two weeks, and sell it on, even at a loss.. would it be worth it?

I think the other side of this is if you were able to find a boat how long will it take to coordinate everything to make it, as Charlie has noted, seaworthy? I know my own behavior in addition to what I've watched many others do is they spend months and months with a new to them boat getting it ready to be put in the water. A really ready to go boat maybe harder to find than you think. I have purchased a couple that were close, my home SWALLOW being one, and still spent week putting some finishing touches before splashing. I guess you have to make a choice to buy it and use it and not adjust it in any way.

The next part of the hassle would be how to sell it when you are nowhere near the boat? I have a boat trailer I've been trying to sell for almost two years. It's really hard to sell for I'm rarely near the trailer and able to show it to prospects.

I would think buying a boat for your personal use long term would be a different issue than buying a boat just for a specific event. My only issues would be can it be sailed for the next few days and need nothing more than rigging the sails to do so. The next question would be is it worth what I am paying for it and can I get most of my money back.

I will say selling the boat may present a huge problem. The family in Mom's Beauty took over a year to finally sell the boat

[smccall]

If you can find someone who is selling a boat the area and offer to rent it for a couple of weeks. It is hard to sell a boat for what you have put into it so they might be interested in getting some rent money for their boat before selling it.
We just got back from Florida and rented a Hobie Cat for a couple of hours on the beach. I was missing my boat so I was doing a search of inflatable boats that you can take in your car. There are four or five companies that make them. Then I found a company that makes sail kits for your dinghy. You can also buy plans to make it yourself. I have a dinghy for my boat so that is going to be my next project.

https://www.sailboatstogo.com/
https://www.x-cat.com/en/mobility
https://www.mysticpointwatersports.com/