A question for anyone who is looking to buy or has already bought a boat...

[kchunk]

...in other words, this question is for everybody.

As a prospective buyer, is a boat worth more to you in a slip in a marina that otherwise would be full and you'd have to put your name on a waiting list, or a boat on a trailer, road ready?

Let me qualify that question just a bit; a boat like a Com-Pac 23. I ask because, I'd eluded back a few months ago that I might be looking to close this chapter of my life and pass my Com-Pac 23 on to a new owner, possibly after my vacation in July, perhaps. Well, my vacation in July is approaching. It's not so much that I want to close this chapter, but rather open a new one. I've been having a hankering to finish flight training I had started before moving back to FL. I've gotten the OK from the admiral but she made it clear that we won't be doing sailboats and airplanes at the same time, at least not while I'm married. 

Anyway, if I were to go through with this and you (whoever) were looking at a boat, would the fact that the boat is in a slip in the Keys (north of Largo, a four hour drive from my house) transferrable to the new owner mean anything, or would you rather see a boat for sale on a trailer with the mast down and the boom, rigging  and everything stowed, ready to hook to your truck and take home? ...hmmm...

--Greg

[Joseph]

Given your interests and unavoidable limitations you may wish to take a look at some of the following (regrettable none is a Com-Pac):

http://www.wilson-graf.com/w/?p=1038
http://www.seair.com/aboutus.htm
http://www.gearfuse.com/the-brio-flying-boat-its-almost-a-good-idea/

As for your question, it depends on your preferred sailing style. As posted elswhere in this site, being "trailer-ready" does not necessarily mean "sailor ready". If trailering is part of the adventure, fine. Otherwise it may cut down on your sailing time. On the other hand, it may also cut down on your marina expenditures... Personally, for Com-Pac boats, I'd place the limit at the Sun Cat: for larger craft having a slip might be preferable, otherwise it can be a toss.

J.

[NateD]

Do you have a trailer for it? If you have the trailer, and it can be inspected at the same place (or near by) to where the boat is, I would think having the boat in the water for a sea trial would be preferable to having it sitting on the trailer with the mast down. Though I would offer to show the new owner how you have lowered the mast/secured everything in the past.

[Mundaysj]

Hi Greg,
I definitely agree... I would want to take her out for a sail before buying.  I bought mine on a trailer on the hard and no place for a test run.  So I was not willing to spend as much... in essence I was taking all the risk.  The transferrable slip depends on whether there are waiting lists in your area.  It would definitely be a big plus up here!
Good Luck in your new endeavors,
Sherie

[HideAway]

Most of boats we looked at when we bought ours were in wet slips.   It greatly helped us make an initial decision as to whether to proceed with that boat.  For instance we eliminated a Compac 16 because of its size and how tippy it is at rest but decided to look at the 23 next to it and eventually bought it.   We looked at a Catalina 22 on a trailer and liked the accommodations etc but after sailing one years later I'm glad we picked the Compac.

That being said with 25 foot slip rents going for just south of $300 a month in our area we bought/built a trailer and now HideAway is on the hard at our sailing club with the mast up ready to go and we are looking forward to exploring new places.  The trailer adds value because it saves slip fees and lets you go places you would not have the time to do otherwise.   Its two hard days sailing to go from here to Boca Grande but only one day towing.  I'll never forget the sailing experience but we were very lucky weather wise.  We could have had more time to cruise Pine Island Sound if we trailered.

If you have a trailer by all means sell the trailer with the boat but offer to do a sea trial early in the sales process.  Even if someone turns you down at least you got to go sailing - and more than likely it will be your last sail because once you sail a Compac your hooked anyway!   Matt

[Nicolina]

Keep the slip!

Also keep the boat, go flying as well, and find a really good excuse - need to stimulate the economy?

[Craig Weis]

I don't care about the slip, as long as it's free. Find a tree to tie the boat up to.
I built a dock and now three of us use it, including the guy who owns the land.
2~C-P 19's and a 27 foot Sovereign something. skip.

[brackish]

Greg, I just went through the buying process (late June).   I bought from afar, subject to inspection.  When I went to inspect the boat it was in the water, and although it was a relatively windless day, and I couldn't sail it, I wanted to see it in the water.  after looking at everything above the water line, I still wanted to buy it and the next step was to motor over to the ramp, pull it out, put it on the trailer and inspect below the water line.  Once on the trailer I confirmed the purchase and the previous owners led me through the mast drop and packing process for hauling.  Being able to do it all in those steps was helpful to the sale and very helpful to me on my first tow.

With regard to the slip being available, certainly depends on the supply/demand for slips in the area and those who would be interested in the particular area.  In my case, I was hauling about 200 miles to a marina closer to where I live.  Slip at the former owners marina would not interest me.