Hi All
We are wanting to buy a yacht but having no idea about them.
Found this on gumtree "66 foot YACHT MOTOR SAILOR 20.M. BILGE KEEL KETCH RIG"
For someone new to sailing, would this be better than a true sailing boat to learn on?
I am quite comfortable with the motor part and the size but under sail am not to sure.
Would this be to costly to run compared to sail or would it be to limiting if you become hooked?
What are the down sides to ferro cement hulls?
Max
Not wanting to dampen your enthusiasm, but as someone new to sailing, may I suggest that you lower a sights a tad to something more manageable than a 66 footer, if you must get a boat it may be better to go with something in the 30 foot range no matter how cheap or appealing the 66 footer looks.
On the downside of ferro hulls there are only two real concerns,
One is who build it and how well did they build it? I don't mean that it looks pretty on the outside but what's on the inside where you can't see.
Secondly, you will have a snowballs chance in hell trying to get someone to insure it.
Harry
My homeport is probably like a lot of others, full of 40 foot plus yachts owned by beginners. Even worst is the fact they are my neighbours. The only saving grace is that they never leave the moorings.
Once yachts get above 34 foot the gear becomes heavy and the costs rise drastically. Not just mooring fees but slipping costs, paint etc. Find someone with a 35 foot yacht and let him let you lug the No 1 headsail up on to the deck etc. Handle the anchor, that sort of thing, get a feel for what its like. The reason these large yachts don't move is because the owners need a team to operate them.
What you need is a handy yacht, one that you can head off sailing at short notice, singlehanded or with your wife. Something about 30 feet is ideal.
I sail at least once a week all year and I have to sail through the moorings with these people on their enormous yachts watching me. One day they will make a move. Have a new comer on a mooring not far from me with a Swanson 32, he actually goes sailing.
Fill in your Bio a bit more Max, you may have a lister nearby that can show you the ropes.
Safety and certain comfort... That's the right size of the boat, you looking at.
Anything above 45 ft. plus you need extra hand on board, regardless how much
experience you have. Let's him to take care of the boat and guide you through
Seamanship, safety, navigation & whole business enjoyable sailing.
Only and most important how to avoid purchasing lemon is the boat must be in survey
And condition clause, obtaining insurance. Otherwise...don't touch.
When you get any closer, we help, advise & find the right solution.
Thanks for the replies,
My theory is this- if we buy a bigger yacht then other stupid people like us would be interested in buying it.
With 4 of us and someone to help us, we are looking at accommodating at least 5 people. We get 4-5 day breaks so we should be able to get away every now and again and with our boy's getting into diving this could all work well.
Max
I could just about guarantee that a 66ft ferro boat will be a disaster. It will cost a fortune, not be used and you will wait forever to offload it.
Some will sing the praises of ferro but there is a reason they are cheap. They are nearly all amateur built and repaired, damage is easily hidden until the hull is a right off. Forget insurance.
As others have said size equals cost. A guess would be up to $20k pa just for the basics, doing most of it yourself. Two new sheets and a halyard would be scary, a mast removal and overhaul not worth thinking about. How much plumbing is in it, what about suitable bilge pumps. Get some quotes from a tradesman.
I want to scare you off the idea as I prefer new owners have a great experience.
I'd be worried about that rotting deck and the rust stains down the side mean something in the hull is rusting. Even for 5 people I'd be going for something much smaller unless you intend to live aboard. We could comfortably sleep 5 on a 40 ft (or intimately sleep 8 
)
Ok!
I,m going to need some help if anybody is interested.
What is the best hull material and the second best?
What is a good length for 5-6 people?
I really like the bilge keel(high tidal movement, save on slip fee), what are the down side to this?
What is the best sail configuration for amateurs?
Thanks
Max
Just looked at the photos, that much rust would have to be coming from the concrete reinforcing, possibly at the hull/deck join. The hull and deck are probably knackered.
In truth it isn't worth anything in that condition and they are probably desparate to get rid of it as it will be costing them a fortune.
If you really want it, offer to take it off their hands without charge.
How would you get it to Broome?
Accommodating 5-6 people for more than a few days will be a challenge. The size of vessel you need to comfortably accommodate that number for cruises of more than a week would be beyond a beginner, even with a crew. The power in a 40-45 ft yacht needs to be felt to be believed. The sails are big and have great loads. They can be dangerous bits of kit. Over 50 ft is in the big league.
However, you could do OK for shorter periods with 5 people in the right 40-45 ft boat. Even this is a powerful size and beyond a beginner, but with some training and practical experience sailing as crew you will have a good feel for what you can do.
Remember, as the NSW Waterways ads say "You're the Skipper, You're Responsible."
You need to crew to at least learn the basics before you should consider buying.
If in Perth at any stage , send me a message and I'll get u crew spot.
Good to see some details on your Bio. Spent a fair bit of time in Broome years ago.
Cruising with 5 people in a hot environment means a lot of cockpit space and open, well ventilated interior. We are talking cruising catamaran. Can be beached to give the bottom a once over, watch out for the large tides there. Down side is they are slow, they are always overloaded and expensive.
This why I thought the bilge keel would suit us better as we often see beached cat's here.
That was the other reason for going for a bigger boat is the fact of the heat and being able to move around more freely. The 66 foot maybe a bit big but I thought a 35 is maybe too small.
Max
Max,
I am also new to sailing (not boats) and have just bought my first (twin bilge)keel boat in Queensland after looking for two years. Most of this time I have spent on other peoples' boats getting a feel for what I really wanted. I plan to sail it back to my home in the kimberley next year after the cyclone season.
With our tides, the main things you will need in any boat for cruising the kimberley is the abitlty to take the ground and enough auxilary power to get you out of trouble. Something the ferro you are looking at definitely does not have.
Whilst a multi hull has the real advantage in sailing this area their prices have held up and they don't like the loads you will need to take with you. At the moment you can get a fair bit of value in a large cruising mono. The selection and price in WA is still ridiculous compared with the East coast. I can't see this changing in the near future so take your time. Go and annoy anyone you see on a boat. You will get the odd knock back but most yachties are only to pleased to show off their prized possession and are willing to take on enthusiatic crew. Patience grasshopper...
Maybe I miss something. boating and sailing is great hobby ,
but as any hobby there is a price tag attached to this.
Boat market is good but annual outlay could a limiting factor.
The boat size is directly proportional the annual expenditure
Under 5 k ...trailer sailer
Under 10k....38ft. Etc.
There is no point to discuss 40 footter if ...
Hi Max,
I agree with Ramona about size. We have not long purchased our first yacht at 33ft. There are 4 of us in our family, I'm still learning along the way and the rest of my family are new to sailing. Yet she is easily handled and nothing is to big to get out of hand. Full days of sailing and exploring mean the cabin is mainly used only at the end of the day and provides a cosy feel with a meal on and dinette table to share laughs - then a berth to get a good nights rest.
Being the first time, I am only just starting to get a realisation on the costs associated and Im glad I didn't go bigger. Mooring/Marina/slip fees, all maintenance costs.
However it hasn't stopped me admiring much bigger yachts.
I lived on a ferro when I was young with my parents. The hull rust stains are a REAL concern. It is impossible to fix if the mesh that was used during construction has rusted. Also the timber deck looks like it needs replacing. The engine seized? If everything is fixable - it would be an expensive exercise and enjoying lazy sailing days a long way off.
Thanks all for the replies,
I'm not set on anything but would like to try and get it something that we are going to use.
I see the problem with ferro's and think that there is to much risk involved to buy one.
If I could get one of Cisco's boats that he mentioned I'd probably still not be happy as to beach it would be a sin.
max
