"Larry" wrote in message
...
Don White wrote:
wrote in message
...

My friend is trying to convince me to go halfs with him on a boat...
he's
talking about either an Island Packet, which I've seen before, or
possibly
a Valiant, which I haven't seen. The "plan" that we've been talking
about
is getting something in the mid- to low-40 foot range, berthing it on
the
bay (probably Sausalito, assuming we could find a suitable place), and
then taking it down to Mexico a year from next October (which is the
supposed "weather window" for travelling south). The approximate cost
for
each of us would be in the $150K to $200K range, perhaps some wiggle
room,
depending upon how new the boat would be and what needs to get
retrofitted.

My friend wants to get something made in the US... I guess it's easier
to
have it Federally registered. And, we both like the idea of buying
American if possible.

Right now, there's another couple that would be putting in sweat and
time
equity (but limited cash), so that would give us a crew of four for
Mexico. I'm probably the most junior as far as sailing experience
goes...
just the Hobie 18 in my distant past. I'd probably take some classes
with
Sal, because we could probably both use a refresher.

We're thinking if we get the boat in the next couple of months, so we'd
have a good long time to get really familiar with how it sails and how
we
sail together (we've sailed locally a few times with no conflicts). The
guys are best buddies, so that's not an issue.

So, we're going to meet up at the sail show and see what looks
interesting. I mentioned Catalina, since I've heard the name, but
apparently they're not quite up to the same quality standards. Is there
another US-built make in the same class as the IP or Val? Anything else
a
relative novice should consider beyond the interpersonal/relationship
stuff (we're all pretty compatible... travelled with each other lots...
and we're all pretty independent). My main concern is can I pull my own
weight on the boat, but I guess most of that can be figured out in
sailing
classes and sailing on whatever we get).

--
Nom=de=Plume

Being a part owner of a boat...... not so sure!
I've had opportunities in the past, but would much rather own a modest
boat
than half or a quarter of a nicer boat.
Less chance of differences of opinion, etc in the long run.



You got that right. There are hundreds of stories of boat partnerships
that have gone bad. The expenses don't end with the purchase as we all
know. There's insurance, mooring fees, maintenance, etc. Then you have
to consider it's use and how that will be divided.

It'll probably all be fine until one of the fake partners gets caught
dithering another fake partners partner. Then all fake hell will break loose
and the fake partnership will go bust, leaving the fake boat to rot at the
fake dock and eventually be sold for fake scrap to pay the fake dockage.
NG bull**** may not be the finest there is but there sure is plenty of it.