If you want to have certain utilitarian qualities, certain requirements to speed, and comfort, which older boats don’t have, it seems you have to choose from new (or almost new) boats, customized for the stated purpose.
If you are not a racer, if you are not going to charter the boat for passengers and cargo, if you are not going to drive it to work or to a summer cottage, it’s better to choose a used boat. As a ship for leisurely travels, a sailboat is by definition an obsolete thing, at least because it’s a sailboat. But most people go sailing precisely because they like it. This outdated way of sailing using the power of the wind is that proverbial romance. Used boat buyers don’t need all the gadgets and speed, like the latest iPhone. They need reliability, simplicity, and aesthetic aspect.
That’s why when you’re buying your first boat, especially for a beginner, when the boat is supposed to be small and there are no extreme cruises planned, there’s no alternative to a used boat. Of course, the boat should be not only “old”, but also “good”. If it turns out that the romance of the sea is not what you imagined, it’s easier to sell a cheap boat, and even if you can’t sell it, you’re not so sorry for the lost money.
Is it better to finance a new or used boat?
When buying a yacht, some people want their investment to pay off in just a year. But buying a yacht should not be a financial disaster for you. Everything must be carefully calculated so that the maintenance of the boat does not turn into financial ruin for you because you buy a boat to enjoy life, and not to barely make ends meet. It may be worth looking into a more modest boat or opting for a used boat. However, you need to understand that the maintenance of such a yacht will be more expensive than a new one, because you will have to fork out for current repairs.
If you want to get a yacht at your disposal as quickly as possible, then the choice is definitely for a used boat. The construction of a new yacht can take several years: the larger the size of the boat and the more difficult it is to implement the wishes of the customer, the longer it will take. In addition, the delivery time for a new yacht also depends on the workload of the shipyard. That is why many people buy a yacht in advance – usually in the fall.