J/95 Update

Hull #1 of the new J/95 is now in Florida for demo sails, but the folks from SAIL magazine got in a quick test sail a few weeks ago while the boat was still in Rhode Island. Click on the link for some good video and a short review.

I'm looking forward to sailing hull #2 in Stonington with Rod J in a few weeks - I hope the boat will live up to all the great things I've been hearing!

Robin Knox-Johnston Day

April 20th marks the 40 year anniversary of Robin Knox-Johnston's victory in the first ever around-the-world singlehanded non-stop sailboat race. What we now call the Vendee Globe traces it roots to the Golden Globe - and that first race captures everything I love about sailing.

What is so interesting about the Golden Globe are the individual stories it holds. Robin Knox-Johnston won the race through quiet perseverence and attrition, and then came back almost 30 years later at the age of 68 to finish 4th in the Velux 5 Oceans race, in a boat that could not have been more radically different than his 32' teak Suhaili.

Chasing RKJ around the Capes was Bernard Moitessier, sailing a steel ketch with telephone poles for masts. Moitessier was ambivalent about the race to say the least, and after rounding Cape Horn and being in a position to easily pass RKJ on the home stretch, he decided to sail halfway around the globe again to Tahiti. Nevermind the prize money, wife or stepchildren that were waiting for him back in France.

And in the midst of all of this, Donald Crowhurst is sailing in circles off of South America, making false position reports and slowly going mad. His boat would eventually be found, including a logbook documenting his unraveling.

Read more about Robin Knox-Johnston at Adam's blog, Messing About in Sailboats - he'll give you the full story and lots of great links. And take it directly from the Horse's Mouth - Joe is a fellow Moitessier fan and offers up some primary source material.

I consider Moitessier's The Long Way, which chronicles his experience of the race, to be required reading. For an excellent narrative on the Golden Globe, see Peter Nichols' A Voyage for Madmen. Pick these up from Bluewater Books/Armchair Sailor and you'll be supporting a great business.

April is J105 Month

There has been a lot to blog about lately, but I'm in the middle of 5 deals right now - a welcome change of pace. All the buyers are getting great deals that wouldn't have happened a year ago, and all the sellers have been realistic in their asking price and negotiations. However, these aren't "fire sales" - values are off by less than 10% vs. last year.

What I find really interesting is that 4 of these 5 pending deals are on J/105's! I guess people still want a boat that is fun to sail, exciting to race and easy to own!

The Pre-Purchase Marine Survey

I’ve been busy showing boats and writing contracts over the past 10 days – a refreshing change that has unfortunately slowed down my blogging a bit. Since I’ve been helping some clients set-up surveys, I thought I would share some thoughts on that topic.

Once a buyer and seller have agreed on an asking price and signed a contract, the pre-purchase marine survey is the next hurdle to clear. Similar to a home inspection, the survey is done by an expert working exclusively for the buyer, so that he can provide an objective and technical evaluation of the boat’s condition. Even if the boat you’re buying is less than a year old, your insurance company is going to want to see a survey.

When it comes to choosing the right surveyor, I always advise my clients to seek-out referrals, rather than just choosing blindly from a directory. If you’re working with a broker that you really trust, he can provide you with a list of surveyors that are well-respected in the field. When I do this for my own clients, I include the caveat that they cross-reference the names I give them instead of just “taking my word for it.” Yacht yards, owners, and online owner’s groups are all great places to ask about a particular surveyor’s reputation.

The three criteria to consider when choosing a surveyor:

- has experience with the make of boat that you are purchasing
- accredited by SAMS or NAMS
- is able to communicate clearly, answer your questions, and explain what you should expect from the survey

The best surveyors have first-hand knowledge of the enitre build history for that model or manufacturer, and a technical or engineering background. Expect the survey to report major structural/operational problems with the boat, engine, and related gear. Here are the headings you are likely to see in a surveyor's report:

- inventory of equipment found onboard
- hull composition and structure
- propulsion and machinery
- tankage and plumbing
- rigging
- electrical systems
- electronics/navigation equipment
- head
- deck equipment
- safety equipment
- summary of findings/recommendations

After the Survey

Ideally, the survey report will come back with no major issues, and both parties will proceed to the closing. But sometimes there is a more significant issue that prompts the buyer to ask for a concession – a reduction in purchase price, or repair/replacement of the problem. At this point, the seller can walk away from the deal, or make the concession (a broker can be very useful in helping both parties resolve the issue).

Cost

Here in the Northeast, the top surveyors might charge as much as $20/foot, which includes the out-of-the-water portion of the survey and the sea trial. The process usually takes most of the day, but for complex boats over 45’ it can be a two-day affair. The buyer will be responsible for any yard charges, include a "short-haul" and power wash to facilitate inspection of the bottom.

I have two surveys taking place over the next 6 days - it will be a busy week!