What you are saying is true.
However, when I purchased my actual sailboat (in 1982) it was new.
I was blessed by having the manufacturers rep to assist me and to provide
needed parts.
Plus, at the club were I had the boat launched several members had the same
boat and they help me a lot for the first season.
Buying a 1 to 4 years old boat has lots of advantages and may be better than
buying a new one. The question is why would the owner of a well equipped 1
to 4 years old boat would want to get rid of it. Some are saying it may be
that the bank want their money? That may be a good come along. However, I
have learned that friends of the lending institutions have first pick. In
other instance, the owner want out of boating because of Family reason. Then
if the boat suits you and you are amenable to the owner you may have a good
purchase.
Even an older boat could be a good acquisition. The way the owner takes care
of his sailboat has a lot to say about the condition of the boat. As for the
performance of the boat nothing is better than seeing the boat in action.
One year when in Maine during heavy weather I was making it trough the
northeast passage with my actual boat. When going throughout the passage I
observed all kinds of sailboats going through. A few sailboats attracted my
attention by sailing by with ease making better headway than other. The name
of those sailboats got imprinted in my mind and during my shopping I will
look out for their types.



"Keith" wrote in message
oups.com...
Ever bought a new boat? I did once and never again. It's not like
buying a new car, where pretty much everything works when you get it. I
had over 150 items on the original punch list that needed fixing.
Chartplotter didn't work, hot water didn't work, bolts put in the wrong
way, chipped fiberglass, fuel gages didn't read correctly, leaks, etc.
etc. etc. A YEAR later still everything wasn't fixed.

I'd much rather buy a boat that was one or two years old, where the
original owner did all the fitting out and took the big depreciation
hit.