Catamaran sales results for August 2009 are in and it is good news for sellers.
YachtWorld.com, the leading provider of web based marine sales tools and information, reports that "more multihulls sold in August 2009 than the previous August by close to 20 percent and total valuations were up 7%. The report did go on to say that the time to sell a catamaran increased by 37 days.
Catamaran buyers often do lengthy research before committing to a purchase so seller must be prepared to wait. Motivated sellers are finding that patience is paying off. Buyers who wait appear that they may be paying more in the long run if they wait to long. A switch to a sellers market my be in the wind.
George Coggeshall
305 613-2262
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Catamaran Boat Shows October 2009
When shopping for a catamaran, a picture may be worth a 1000 words, but actually stepping aboard can provide you with priceless, first-hand experience. From October 8th to 13th, 2009 there will be three major multihull events taking place in
The United States Sailboat Show is the country’s largest in-water sailboat show. It takes place between October 8th, 2009 and October 12th, 2009 on the downtown waterfront of historic
The first ever Pre-owned Catamaran Show runs the same dates as the new boat show. This show offers free admittance to see many clean, late-model used catamarans. Pre-owned catamarans offer a great value and make getting on the water more affordable for many buyers. A well-maintained, used catamaran may offer you the opportunity to get away sooner as well. Many boats are already well equipped with the all that is necessary to get you underway on your journey. The show is located just outside downtown
The final multihull event in
Don’t miss out on the fun!!!
George K. Coggeshall
The Catamaran Company
305 613-2262
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Lagoon 440 For Sale
Pure Pleasure or Money Machine???
Lagoon 440 four stateroom with crew / guest quarters…….. !!!
“Sundance” and “Deborah Lee” have just listed with The Catamaran Company. These boats are well priced below replacement cost and very negotiable.
Lagoon 440 four stateroom with crew / guest quarters…….. !!!
“Sundance” and “Deborah Lee” have just listed with The Catamaran Company. These boats are well priced below replacement cost and very negotiable.
If you are looking at buying a private boat with great living space to cruise with family and friends it is hard to beat a Lagoon 440. Cockpits fore and aft, a fly bridge helm station with seating for a party, staterooms with private in suit baths, and a salon with a huge pass-through galley make this the perfect boat for pure pleasure. “Bluewater Cruising” magazine called it “one of the best cruising boats available”.
The Lagoon 440 can also be a money machine when placed in charter management. This layout has been the mainstay of The Catamaran Company’s successful charter program since the design was introduced in 2004. Ask about charter management programs available for this boat where you can have income when you are not out enjoying cruising the boat yourself. There are charter locations in Florida, the Bahamas, and through-out the Caribbean.
Monday, August 10, 2009
CATAMARAN INSURANCE
Be Safe……… Have the Proper Protection
What Does Cruising Insurance Cost?
You found the right catamaran and you are ready to buy that perfect boat. You have budgeted to invest a great deal of your hard earned money and you are ready to sail your local waters, oceans, or possibly the “Seven Seas”. Have you planned for the proper protection? Be sure to check the following with a qualified insurance agent.
The most common vessel coverage loss concerns are:
Fire, Theft, Property and Personal Injury Liability
Operator damage to the vessel and third party property
Third party damage to your vessel
HURRICANE (named storm) DAMAGE!!!
The first three groups of issues are similar to your home or car. You will likely want coverage up to the vessels current value and what ever liability coverage you feel is appropriate for your given personal situation. This typical coverage for a cruising catamaran will usually run between 1.5 to 3% of the vessels value in most cases. If you want replacement cost coverage rather than current value coverage of a vessel be prepared to pay a premium that is if you can even get the coverage (usually only available on a new boat).
Factors that affect coverage cost include:
The value, size, age, and condition of the boat.
Bigger and more expensive boats are sometimes less expensive to insure as a percentage of the boats value, but more expensive in actual dollars paid. Older boats’ coverage is often a greater percentage although the coverage cost is lower because the vessel is less expensive.
Your boating experience
Experience is sometimes an issue if the catamaran you are buying is significantly larger than your other vessel experience you already have. It is, however, simple to take a brief sailing school or have a licensed captain sail with you for a short period to observe and attest to your abilities in writing to an insurance company.
Chartering / business operation
If the boat is operated as part of a business or in charter it will certainly be at the higher end of the range of cost.
The dinghy
In some cases the insurance companies charge a premium for a nice dinghy. A separate policy may even be needed if the dinghy is very big or valuable on a large catamaran.
Area of coverage
If you plan on crossing oceans it is best to have the basic coverage until you need the ocean coverage. There is no sense in paying for an ocean coverage that many be months or years away when you are only coastal sailing or in the Caribbean.
Now for the………………BIG HURRICANE MYTH.!!!
Despite what you have heard or you think, it is actually possible to have your vessel covered during hurricane season in the central Caribbean and the Florida waters. I promise you that there are tens of thousands of boats in this area year round enjoying clear warm waters. I live in South Florida and travel to the Caribbean regularly. We don’t stop using our boats just because it is hurricane season!!! And I love sailing the Caribbean islands when the crowds have left for the summer.
There are, however, several considerations for cruisers in the tropics in this season. There is a premium for coverage in “the zone” and some insurance companies will want a written plan of action from you describing what you will due to reduce the possibility of damage to your boat and other property. The premium is not prohibitive if you have a reasonable budget (typically less than 1/2% of the hull value) and the action plan should be one of simple common sense. If your budget is tight then you may want a policy that does not include “named storm” damage. This doesn’t mean you have to leave the tropics either. You will still be covered for all the other events (fire, theft, etc…). You will just have to be well prepared to avoid damage that a named storm can inflict. A good “hurricane hole” or an agreement with a boat yard to haul you to a safe spot is a great alternative to giving up on the summertime tropic fun!!!
If you are still concerned with safety in the tropics you will want to leave but remember that some of the worst hurricane damage has happened outside the tropics. Granada, Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize long believed to be safe havens have been hit hard recently. In 2004 the vessels damaged in Granada caused by hurricane “Ivan” exceeded that of Andrew and Katrina combined. It was hurricane Bob in 1991 which devastated many fleets of boats in New England that summer and in the summer of 1938 the “Great New England Hurricane” killed an estimated 600-800 people!!! Wikipedia lists 57 named storms to effect damage in New England since 1900.
Don’t let hurricane season stop you from having fun where you are or where you want to go. You just have to be prudent and properly protected.
George Coggeshall - CPYB is a yacht broker at The Catamaran Company with over 15 years of experience sailing and selling catamaran in the Caribbean and elsewhere. He is a regular contributor to Multihull Magazine.
Be Safe……… Have the Proper Protection
What Does Cruising Insurance Cost?
You found the right catamaran and you are ready to buy that perfect boat. You have budgeted to invest a great deal of your hard earned money and you are ready to sail your local waters, oceans, or possibly the “Seven Seas”. Have you planned for the proper protection? Be sure to check the following with a qualified insurance agent.
The most common vessel coverage loss concerns are:
Fire, Theft, Property and Personal Injury Liability
Operator damage to the vessel and third party property
Third party damage to your vessel
HURRICANE (named storm) DAMAGE!!!
The first three groups of issues are similar to your home or car. You will likely want coverage up to the vessels current value and what ever liability coverage you feel is appropriate for your given personal situation. This typical coverage for a cruising catamaran will usually run between 1.5 to 3% of the vessels value in most cases. If you want replacement cost coverage rather than current value coverage of a vessel be prepared to pay a premium that is if you can even get the coverage (usually only available on a new boat).
Factors that affect coverage cost include:
The value, size, age, and condition of the boat.
Bigger and more expensive boats are sometimes less expensive to insure as a percentage of the boats value, but more expensive in actual dollars paid. Older boats’ coverage is often a greater percentage although the coverage cost is lower because the vessel is less expensive.
Your boating experience
Experience is sometimes an issue if the catamaran you are buying is significantly larger than your other vessel experience you already have. It is, however, simple to take a brief sailing school or have a licensed captain sail with you for a short period to observe and attest to your abilities in writing to an insurance company.
Chartering / business operation
If the boat is operated as part of a business or in charter it will certainly be at the higher end of the range of cost.
The dinghy
In some cases the insurance companies charge a premium for a nice dinghy. A separate policy may even be needed if the dinghy is very big or valuable on a large catamaran.
Area of coverage
If you plan on crossing oceans it is best to have the basic coverage until you need the ocean coverage. There is no sense in paying for an ocean coverage that many be months or years away when you are only coastal sailing or in the Caribbean.
Now for the………………BIG HURRICANE MYTH.!!!
Despite what you have heard or you think, it is actually possible to have your vessel covered during hurricane season in the central Caribbean and the Florida waters. I promise you that there are tens of thousands of boats in this area year round enjoying clear warm waters. I live in South Florida and travel to the Caribbean regularly. We don’t stop using our boats just because it is hurricane season!!! And I love sailing the Caribbean islands when the crowds have left for the summer.
There are, however, several considerations for cruisers in the tropics in this season. There is a premium for coverage in “the zone” and some insurance companies will want a written plan of action from you describing what you will due to reduce the possibility of damage to your boat and other property. The premium is not prohibitive if you have a reasonable budget (typically less than 1/2% of the hull value) and the action plan should be one of simple common sense. If your budget is tight then you may want a policy that does not include “named storm” damage. This doesn’t mean you have to leave the tropics either. You will still be covered for all the other events (fire, theft, etc…). You will just have to be well prepared to avoid damage that a named storm can inflict. A good “hurricane hole” or an agreement with a boat yard to haul you to a safe spot is a great alternative to giving up on the summertime tropic fun!!!
If you are still concerned with safety in the tropics you will want to leave but remember that some of the worst hurricane damage has happened outside the tropics. Granada, Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize long believed to be safe havens have been hit hard recently. In 2004 the vessels damaged in Granada caused by hurricane “Ivan” exceeded that of Andrew and Katrina combined. It was hurricane Bob in 1991 which devastated many fleets of boats in New England that summer and in the summer of 1938 the “Great New England Hurricane” killed an estimated 600-800 people!!! Wikipedia lists 57 named storms to effect damage in New England since 1900.
Don’t let hurricane season stop you from having fun where you are or where you want to go. You just have to be prudent and properly protected.
George Coggeshall - CPYB is a yacht broker at The Catamaran Company with over 15 years of experience sailing and selling catamaran in the Caribbean and elsewhere. He is a regular contributor to Multihull Magazine.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Exceptional Lagoon 410s for Sale
It is rare to have so many examples of this extremely popular catamaran model for extended cruising available in one place. Right now you can see eight of these boats in South Florida alone. There are another 2 in the southeast US. These boats are already proven cruisers and ready to go. There are another 12 in the Caribbean. I know many of these boats personally. Let me help you find the best value for your needs.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Catamarans Get Exposed
Whether you are buying or selling a catamaran you want all the exposure you can get. Open your eyes to all that The Catamaran Company can expose for you.
The #1 ranked catamaran website and 4 dockside showrooms help expose buyers and sellers to catamaran information more easily than anywhere else.
Finding the best catamaran to meet your needs can take time. You may have some idea of what you are looking for but you likely want to have first hand exposure to all of the possible information before you make a decision. Working with The Catamaran Company can get you that exposure to catamarans faster and more efficiently than any other resource.
Website Exposure
The www.catamarans.com website is the comprehensive source of the latest catamaran listings and prices. The site ranks #1 on all major search engines (Google, Yahoo, etc…). The detailed listings include extensive current photographs and they often include video and 360 degree images. Many other listing websites can’t handle multimedia presentation like www.catamarans.com. Many of the Catamaran Company listings also include online third party "Catchek" boat surveys that provide even further insight into the condition of many of the boats available. All new listing and price changes are activated on this website before being pushed out to all other listing sites. This means buyers get both more information and the timeliest information at www.catamarans.com . Remember that you can even sign-up for “new listing” and “price reduction” notifications to be sent directly to your email weekly from the website. There is also a “Killer Deal" notification sign-up for boats we believe are priced significantly below market value.
Dockside Exposure
The Catamaran Company is the best when it comes to physically showing catamarans for sale everyday with dedicated docks in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Annapolis, MD, and Tortola, BVI. Both new and used boats can be seen everyday. The docks and boats are accessible by appointment. It is common to have as many as 40+ catamarans at a combination of our docks. If you are a buyer this means you may see a boat that you did not even know you might like. If you are a seller your boat may be seen and bought by someone that wasn’t even considering your model boat for sale. It is also a great tool for a seller that has a boat that may be perceived as too expensive but worth it if “you have to see it to understand it is worth every penny”. A boat seen frequently on one of our docks is likely to save a buyer and seller a great deal of time and money.
Contact me for an appointment to get exposed. If a picture (or video) on our website is worth a thousand words, our dockside locations must be priceless when buying or selling. I personally have over 15 years of catamaran experience, including working visits to most catamaran manufactures from the USA, Europe, and South Africa. Both the buyers and boats on our docks as well as the www.catamarans.com website are getting maximum exposure everyday. This detailed timely information is sure to help whether you are a buyer or seller.
If you are ready to buy and you want even faster notification of special opportunities let me know personally. The information often gets passed around the office of the 12 catamaran specialist at The Catamaran Company before the boat or its' marketing are even ready.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
How to Make Money Buying a Catamaran.... Not Selling
It can be said that selling a boat never makes you money. It is when and how you buy the boat that can however make it possible to sell at a gain. Right now is the time......... and let me tell you the how!
The best opportunities to get value when buying a boat are typically when a manufacture releases a new model or when the market is temporarily depressed.
Lagoon has announced the details of their new L400 & L620 models...........and you don't likely need me to tell you that the market is somewhat depressed.
To make the best of a new boat purchase consider the following. When a new model like the L400 or L620 is released there is "pre-production pricing" and there are typically opportunities to buy a demo boat that may be displayed at a boat show at a discount. Once the boat is available for every one to see the pricing typically increases and becomes inflexible. As your boat ages you will likely be one of the first boats on the used market. The higher pricing of a new boat built after yours will make your boat more valuable and the limited supply in the used market will give you even more used sales price advantage. We saw this with both the Lagoon 440 and Lagoon 420.
For more details and pricing of the new L400 and L620 email me: george.coggeshall@catamarans.com
When it comes to the depressed used market opportunities I can also speak from experience. Each time there has been a major down turn in boat market and the production of new boats contracted; the sale of used boats also became cheap.
1973-1975 -- Recession and Gas crises
1987-1988 -- Recession and Repeal of Investment Tax Credit for boats
1991-1993 -- Recession and Luxury Tax imposed on boats
2000-2001 -- Dot.com bust and 9/11
The result of each of the ensuing recoveries has been a lack of good quality used boats built in those down years. Thus, the limited supply has resulted in increased values in the good years.
You can also look for specials on dealer inventory stock boats in this market. The Catamaran Company currently has the complete range of catamarans from Lagoon in stock (L380, L420, L440, L500). You can make an appointment to see any of these boats at one of our dock locations by contacting me as well.
A purchase today insures your best chances of a gain in the future. So lock in your future gains on new or used boat now!
When making a bona fide offer always be prepared with a 10 percent deposit on both new and used boats. Many sellers are too proud to advertise how low they will seller their boat but please be realistic in your offer. Trust me or any other broker when being advised in pricing. We don't get paid unless the deal is put together but we don't want to waste your time or the sellers.
Give me a call or email for my latest boat recommendations that are personally tailored to your needs and requirements.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Buying Caribbean Based Boats for Sale
Finding the perfect catamaran can be a challenge if you don't do it correctly. If you have some idea of what you want you're already ahead. Knowing how you will use the boat is as important as prioritizing your other needs.
Your first hurdle is deciding between a new boat or a pre-owned boat. Remember, the price & size of a boat doesn’t effect the number of priceless memories. It's amazing what you can buy today at any budget.... if you can find it.
If you will share the parameters of your intended use as well as your needs and wants (aka "wish list") with a good broker, they can likely save you time and money. Don't be afraid of using your broker to find your PERFECT CATAMARAN. Remember, a good broker is not a salesperson, rather, they are a consultant. It costs you, the buyer, nothing. In my case I am also licensed, bonded, and have the CPYB distinction held by less than 5% of brokers world-wide. At The Catamaran Company we work 24-7-365 in the catamaran market. In my case I have 15+ years experience to draw on including working knowledge of a dozen factories from the USA to Europe, and South Africa. I confidently believe we provide you great value at no cost..... You have to like the price this day in age.....FREE!!!
Answering the following questions honestly is the first step.
Where do you intend to sail / keep your vessel?
This can also be summed up with, "How do you intend to use the boat?" It is possibly the most important question. Are you looking for a local day sailing, extended cruising, live aboard, charter, coast wise, Caribbean, transoceanic, etc…. catamaran. For someone new to boating and it is where an experienced broker can seriously help you through some expensive pitfalls. A wrong answer can greatly affect insurance and loan costs. For the experienced buyer a buyer a broker can quickly understand the most important basic question and move through the process quickly to the other questions.
New or Used?
New boat opportunities are exceptional right now. You can buy a well equipped base boat in stock (Lagoon 380, 420, 440, 500) and add all your personal favorite equipment. Service shipwrights are standing by to help you install anything you want and the price is right. Lead times on custom ordered new builds are a little shorter right now with the exception of the all new Lagoon 400 which debuts this May. Production is now sold out until August 2010 and will get later once everyone sees this new model. Be careful with some of the smaller catamaran builder brands. They may not be around long enough to complete a boat for you or give you the warranty service you deserve.
The pre-owned market is a vast place. There are wastelands and wonderlands within the used catamaran market. Working with a broker that has seen, sailed, and sold these older models can help save you time by matching your budget with the best values. Great values can be found in both multi-million dollar budgets and hundred thousand dollar budgets. Let a professional help you here. If you buy the wrong boat you may never be able to get your money back out of the boat one day.
When would you ideally like to take ownership?
If you are ready now and you can take advantage of the current market you should probably act soon. Once the currently inventory of new boats is sold you will be looking at longer wait times and 2010 model price increase. Deals on used boats are great for certain models where there is significant supply or extraordinary seller situations. A broker can direct you to these deals. Seller rarely promote that they are desperate. If the supply for what you want is not available a good broker can go into their database to find what you want but the price is not likely to be as good as an over supplied model. If you are just researching you should follow the market at www.catamarans.com or subscribe to the automatic notification of new listings and price reductions from the same website if you have done so already.
Do you prefer a 3 cabin or 4 cabin layout?
There has always been a premium for "owner's version" layouts in the used market. This is because the catamaran charter companies fill the used market with the 4 or more cabin charter layouts. I actually see great value in former charter boat layouts.... let your ego. Unless you are single and need to impress someone you might want to consider the savings. Your stateroom is basically for sleeping. The extra cabin will come in handy with the many guests you will have with boat ownership. One cabin typically ends up as storage whether you have 3 or 4 cabins. Nobody likes to sleep in the Salon (and nobody likes disturbing them either). The proper conversion of an extra cabin into storage can actually increase the value of you boat later. I have NEVER met an owner who said their boat had too much storage. The salon, deck, and equipment should be you priority.
What size range are you seeking?
This is a tough one for me to answer as it is dependent on the other questions such as budget, number of cabins, where and how you will use the boat. Remember the bigger the boat the bigger the bills. If your budget allows for a big boat you should go fit it. I have NEVER had an owner say they wish they had bought a smaller boat. If you are not the type to change your own engine oil be sure you have a big budget or a small boat. However, don't let a small budget keep you from your big dreams. I often find the happiest sailor have the simplest boat and systems. Whether your budget is 35 feet or 105 feet you can't live the dream without leaving the dock.
What budget range would you like to stay within?
Be honest with yourself and your broker here. Establish your boat budget including possible taxes, duties, insurance, and maintenance. It is likely that any boat you find (including a new boat) will need some modifications or additional equipment to get even close to fulfilling your perfect boat needs. I always suggest keeping it simple and only add equipment as you find that you have to have it. Does your budget allow for trips to far away place to seek out the right boat?
How far are you willing to travel to buy the boat?
Whether you are going to move aboard or you need to bring the boat to your home will you consider starting with a boat in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, or South Pacific? There are sometimes very good deals to be had in some far away places but you need to be a savvy traveler and have the knowledge of a good broker that can protect your money and your investment when dealing with foreign individuals and their country's laws. An internationally savvy broker can again be valuable to you here. I personally have visited over 40 countries!
Have you seen any models that you like?
If you are at the point that you know what you like and it is in your budget you are one of the fortunate. It is probably why you are in a position to fulfill your dream. Good decision makers are usually successful. Let your broker know the specifics and they can direct you to the best values and may know of boats that are for sale yet not listed on the various websites. I have contacted owners of boats that had not yet even considered selling and put them together with an active buyer.
If you answer these questions honestly you are most likely to be happily matched with the perfect catamaran within your parameters. It may not be your “Dream Boat” but it is better to have the PERFECT CATAMARAN given the your parameters than to be left sitting on the dock fantasizing about catamaran ownership. Let me help you create real memories and priceless life experiences with the answers to these questions.
Remember you can now sign-up for free weekly notices of new listings and price drops at www.catamarans.com .
Contact me for a personalized review of the market to meet your needs and dreams.
Your first hurdle is deciding between a new boat or a pre-owned boat. Remember, the price & size of a boat doesn’t effect the number of priceless memories. It's amazing what you can buy today at any budget.... if you can find it.
If you will share the parameters of your intended use as well as your needs and wants (aka "wish list") with a good broker, they can likely save you time and money. Don't be afraid of using your broker to find your PERFECT CATAMARAN. Remember, a good broker is not a salesperson, rather, they are a consultant. It costs you, the buyer, nothing. In my case I am also licensed, bonded, and have the CPYB distinction held by less than 5% of brokers world-wide. At The Catamaran Company we work 24-7-365 in the catamaran market. In my case I have 15+ years experience to draw on including working knowledge of a dozen factories from the USA to Europe, and South Africa. I confidently believe we provide you great value at no cost..... You have to like the price this day in age.....FREE!!!
Answering the following questions honestly is the first step.
Where do you intend to sail / keep your vessel?
This can also be summed up with, "How do you intend to use the boat?" It is possibly the most important question. Are you looking for a local day sailing, extended cruising, live aboard, charter, coast wise, Caribbean, transoceanic, etc…. catamaran. For someone new to boating and it is where an experienced broker can seriously help you through some expensive pitfalls. A wrong answer can greatly affect insurance and loan costs. For the experienced buyer a buyer a broker can quickly understand the most important basic question and move through the process quickly to the other questions.
New or Used?
New boat opportunities are exceptional right now. You can buy a well equipped base boat in stock (Lagoon 380, 420, 440, 500) and add all your personal favorite equipment. Service shipwrights are standing by to help you install anything you want and the price is right. Lead times on custom ordered new builds are a little shorter right now with the exception of the all new Lagoon 400 which debuts this May. Production is now sold out until August 2010 and will get later once everyone sees this new model. Be careful with some of the smaller catamaran builder brands. They may not be around long enough to complete a boat for you or give you the warranty service you deserve.
The pre-owned market is a vast place. There are wastelands and wonderlands within the used catamaran market. Working with a broker that has seen, sailed, and sold these older models can help save you time by matching your budget with the best values. Great values can be found in both multi-million dollar budgets and hundred thousand dollar budgets. Let a professional help you here. If you buy the wrong boat you may never be able to get your money back out of the boat one day.
When would you ideally like to take ownership?
If you are ready now and you can take advantage of the current market you should probably act soon. Once the currently inventory of new boats is sold you will be looking at longer wait times and 2010 model price increase. Deals on used boats are great for certain models where there is significant supply or extraordinary seller situations. A broker can direct you to these deals. Seller rarely promote that they are desperate. If the supply for what you want is not available a good broker can go into their database to find what you want but the price is not likely to be as good as an over supplied model. If you are just researching you should follow the market at www.catamarans.com or subscribe to the automatic notification of new listings and price reductions from the same website if you have done so already.
Do you prefer a 3 cabin or 4 cabin layout?
There has always been a premium for "owner's version" layouts in the used market. This is because the catamaran charter companies fill the used market with the 4 or more cabin charter layouts. I actually see great value in former charter boat layouts.... let your ego. Unless you are single and need to impress someone you might want to consider the savings. Your stateroom is basically for sleeping. The extra cabin will come in handy with the many guests you will have with boat ownership. One cabin typically ends up as storage whether you have 3 or 4 cabins. Nobody likes to sleep in the Salon (and nobody likes disturbing them either). The proper conversion of an extra cabin into storage can actually increase the value of you boat later. I have NEVER met an owner who said their boat had too much storage. The salon, deck, and equipment should be you priority.
What size range are you seeking?
This is a tough one for me to answer as it is dependent on the other questions such as budget, number of cabins, where and how you will use the boat. Remember the bigger the boat the bigger the bills. If your budget allows for a big boat you should go fit it. I have NEVER had an owner say they wish they had bought a smaller boat. If you are not the type to change your own engine oil be sure you have a big budget or a small boat. However, don't let a small budget keep you from your big dreams. I often find the happiest sailor have the simplest boat and systems. Whether your budget is 35 feet or 105 feet you can't live the dream without leaving the dock.
What budget range would you like to stay within?
Be honest with yourself and your broker here. Establish your boat budget including possible taxes, duties, insurance, and maintenance. It is likely that any boat you find (including a new boat) will need some modifications or additional equipment to get even close to fulfilling your perfect boat needs. I always suggest keeping it simple and only add equipment as you find that you have to have it. Does your budget allow for trips to far away place to seek out the right boat?
How far are you willing to travel to buy the boat?
Whether you are going to move aboard or you need to bring the boat to your home will you consider starting with a boat in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, or South Pacific? There are sometimes very good deals to be had in some far away places but you need to be a savvy traveler and have the knowledge of a good broker that can protect your money and your investment when dealing with foreign individuals and their country's laws. An internationally savvy broker can again be valuable to you here. I personally have visited over 40 countries!
Have you seen any models that you like?
If you are at the point that you know what you like and it is in your budget you are one of the fortunate. It is probably why you are in a position to fulfill your dream. Good decision makers are usually successful. Let your broker know the specifics and they can direct you to the best values and may know of boats that are for sale yet not listed on the various websites. I have contacted owners of boats that had not yet even considered selling and put them together with an active buyer.
If you answer these questions honestly you are most likely to be happily matched with the perfect catamaran within your parameters. It may not be your “Dream Boat” but it is better to have the PERFECT CATAMARAN given the your parameters than to be left sitting on the dock fantasizing about catamaran ownership. Let me help you create real memories and priceless life experiences with the answers to these questions.
Remember you can now sign-up for free weekly notices of new listings and price drops at www.catamarans.com .
Contact me for a personalized review of the market to meet your needs and dreams.
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