Some basic economics...

So, about that Westsail 32 project question...

1. Buy the $50K boat and sail off into the sunset.
2. Buy the $30K boat do the needful TLC and sail off into the sunset.
3. Buy the $30K boat do a major refit to the tune of a few years and $66K and sail off into the sunset.
4. Buy a cheap fixer-upper W32, fix what's needful and sail off into the sunset for around $25K.
5. Look at boats that are cheaper with the same qualities of the W32 and sail off into the sunset with a lot more cash in your cruising kitty.

From where I sit the obvious answers are 1, 4, and 5. The first option for those with money buying a ready to go boat makes sense. Options 4 & 5 (as well as 2) makes sense for those with more time than money. Me being cheap and one who enjoys working on boats you already know I'd be all over the cheapest seats option.

That said, what about the third option? What the hell kind of sense does that make?

Well, none actually...

The thing is, I read a lot of blogs of people fixing up sailboats to go cruising because I like to see how others tackle problems and I learn quite a bit as a result because education is a continuing process (or should be). In doing so I've encountered an alarming trend of boat projects as a consumerists wet dream with the out of control Westsail third option project is just such a beast.

All boat projects are going to cost money and, more than likely, a bit more than we would prefer... It's a given. On the other hand, if you're going to build a shrine to the consumerist faith it's a whole different ball game.

Boats are a commodity and while the prices of used/new boats fluctuate, most boats actually do have a perceived value. Using the Westsail 32 as an example, my maximum valuation of a well equipped W32 in near perfect/pristine condition is somewhere close to $50K. With that number in mind we can do some simple math and figure out what we should be spending on our boat project...

Let's say you're thinking of buying a W32 for $30K just how much money should you budget for the refit? Since a boat that doesn't need work and is as near perfect as a boat can be costs $50K it's a pretty easy equation...

50 - 30 = 20

So that's a maximum budget of $20K wasn't that simple? Truth of the matter is, done right, you should actually be able to do it for a lot less.

While we're doing math, let's look at how that third option W32 looks...

50 - (30 + 66) = -46

Sure looks like someone spent $46K too much somewhere. Sadly this is such a common thing in most folks fixing up a boat experience, it's become very close to the norm.

Next up we'll be talking about how to tell the difference between needful, less than needful, and just plain stupid expenditures where rehabbing a boat is concerned...

Pithy, important, and no real boat content at all...

Here's an enlightening article that should help you understand the how/why of the consumerism/fashion affect on the cruising world...

More on that Westsail 32 tomorrow.

A quick question...

Let's say you want to buy a Westsail 32...

Let's say you study the market and see that you can buy a pretty exceptional turnkey example of the design for $50K and a mostly turnkey example fo $30K that might need a bit (around $5K or so) of TLC.

So, what do you do?

1. Buy the $50K boat and sail off into the sunset.
2. Buy the $30K boat do the needful TLC and sail off into the sunset.
3. Buy the $30K boat do a major refit to the tune of a few years and $66K and sail off into the sunset.
4. Buy a cheap fixer-upper W32 fix what's needful and sail off into the sunset for around $25K.
5. Look at boats that are cheaper with the same qualities of the W32 and sail off into the sunset with a lot more cash in your cruising kitty.

 Think about your answer while you're having an awesome Labor Day...

Just a quick thought...

Lately I've been thinking a lot about the process of simplification and why so many of us seem to have so much difficulty with the process...

It really should be simple, shouldn't it?

As it happens, Mariah of Comet Camper Blog fame/infamy actually teaches a class from time to time on the nuts and bolts of how to downsize and simplify your life so you can be a happy camper in your tiny house, camper, or other small living space not unlike a boat. From what I hear it is a very good class and well worth taking. From where I sit most of the really good living on a boat advice I've come across on the web in the last year or so has come from the Comet Camper Blog so you might want to bookmark it and give it a read on a regular basis... She does make a heck of a lot of sense.

On the other hand, if you wanted to take a class to learn about how to cruise and live on a boat you'd find that you'd actually be taking a class not so much about simplification or downsizing but mostly about buying stuff...

Expensive stuff as it happens. Lots of expensive stuff.

Just the other day I read an article that used words like simplify, downsize, and make do with less, but the real subject seemed to be more about making room for a new bigger watermaker, an interior makeover, and a proper SSB/Ham radio installation which is hardly downsizing or simplifyiny but all about making things less simple and spending money.

So...

Maybe it's more than time that we look a lot more closely about the words we actually use...

SIMPLIFY :  to make simple or simpler: as

a)  to reduce to basic essentials
b)  to diminish in scope or complexity :  streamline (was urged to simplify management procedures)
c)  to make more intelligible :  clarify 

Not exactly rocket science is it?