We have a 2014 Winnebago Forza 34T diesel pusher motorhome which we put up for sale a while ago. The vehicle is in pretty darned good shape, and is 100% mechanically sound. We got approached by re sale specialists with offers which were crazy low. I know, price is determined by a willing seller and willing buyer negotiation. Having said that, we reached a point where we said let's just keep the it, storage is not that much and insurance is not that much. It's crazy out there.
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Ericson 38-200 1990
- Thread starter Northportsailor
- Start date
Captain Pete
Member II
I have been reading this thread with great interest.
And Christian's wisdom really got to me, especially: "It is always good when old people remember worse times.", which as much as I may think otherwise, I am in that category.
He also hit the nail on the head when he said: "Now they are again what they always were, a big commitment."
They aren't like a wife or kids or a house, but when you buy a boat you truly are making a commitment. If you aren't ready for that maybe you shouldn't be buying a boat. From what I can see of the Ericson folks on this web site - that commitment is part of the beauty of the experience of boat ownership.
As I read all this I decided to figure out how many boats I have owned (and then I told my wife who did not reply "atta boy, I'm so proud of you honey"). With a 10 year stint with Junior as a hobby doing flip that boat, I am now up to 24 boats. It's a sickness that keeps me healthy. That includes my 32-3 I still have and is probably the most appropriate for this old guy's needs. It also includes the 35-3 I bought this spring that was short money, gave me a season of use, and went to a new happy owner who bought her for specific needs and reasons. Oh and the second sailboat I just bought this year - but that's another story.
The latter point about my Ericsons gets back to the OP. I think that boat looks pretty good - at least worth a look. Especially as a Pacific Seacraft build. But inside info from Drewm3i is very helpful in evaluating it properly - again, you need to see it. I bet it could be had for a lot less than the asking price - if it was closer and my "inventory" wasn't already full I would take a close look. My experience - if you have well defined needs and find something that fits them it often makes sense to find a way to make it work financially and otherwise. Or else time passes, the opportunity is lost, and you may wind up frustratingly trying to find another deal/boat like the one that passed you by.
On the free boats, well what I see is lots of lesser boats are going for free. The quality ones don't like Ericsons. Mostly just the junk.
As an old guy I also find the mid 80' +/- boats - the ones I used to lust after back in the day - are interestingly out there as real opportunities. I think they built them better back then, I avoid balsa hulls, and look for upgrades like engines, and other consumables.
It's great you are asking this group. They share their knowledge and experience freely. But only you can decide what you want and need. An Ericson 38 is a pretty darn great boat. Good luck whichever way you go.
And Christian's wisdom really got to me, especially: "It is always good when old people remember worse times.", which as much as I may think otherwise, I am in that category.
He also hit the nail on the head when he said: "Now they are again what they always were, a big commitment."
They aren't like a wife or kids or a house, but when you buy a boat you truly are making a commitment. If you aren't ready for that maybe you shouldn't be buying a boat. From what I can see of the Ericson folks on this web site - that commitment is part of the beauty of the experience of boat ownership.
As I read all this I decided to figure out how many boats I have owned (and then I told my wife who did not reply "atta boy, I'm so proud of you honey"). With a 10 year stint with Junior as a hobby doing flip that boat, I am now up to 24 boats. It's a sickness that keeps me healthy. That includes my 32-3 I still have and is probably the most appropriate for this old guy's needs. It also includes the 35-3 I bought this spring that was short money, gave me a season of use, and went to a new happy owner who bought her for specific needs and reasons. Oh and the second sailboat I just bought this year - but that's another story.
The latter point about my Ericsons gets back to the OP. I think that boat looks pretty good - at least worth a look. Especially as a Pacific Seacraft build. But inside info from Drewm3i is very helpful in evaluating it properly - again, you need to see it. I bet it could be had for a lot less than the asking price - if it was closer and my "inventory" wasn't already full I would take a close look. My experience - if you have well defined needs and find something that fits them it often makes sense to find a way to make it work financially and otherwise. Or else time passes, the opportunity is lost, and you may wind up frustratingly trying to find another deal/boat like the one that passed you by.
On the free boats, well what I see is lots of lesser boats are going for free. The quality ones don't like Ericsons. Mostly just the junk.
As an old guy I also find the mid 80' +/- boats - the ones I used to lust after back in the day - are interestingly out there as real opportunities. I think they built them better back then, I avoid balsa hulls, and look for upgrades like engines, and other consumables.
It's great you are asking this group. They share their knowledge and experience freely. But only you can decide what you want and need. An Ericson 38 is a pretty darn great boat. Good luck whichever way you go.
Northportsailor
Junior Member
Drewm3i
Marine Surveyor
IMO? Keep looking. Nice older boats are a dime a dozen right now.
E.g. I saw this much nicer looking 38-200 in that area of the country for instance:
Show up with $25K-30K in cash and I bet they would have a hard time turning you down!
Northportsailor
Junior Member
Yes, this beauty came up on my radar and she's loaded with equipment. I live on Long Island, NY and the boat is in RI so a bit of hike, but I definitely intend to go and see the boat....maybe with cash in hand like you suggested.IMO? Keep looking. Nice older boats are a dime a dozen right now.
E.g. I saw this much nicer looking 38-200 in that area of the country for instance:
Show up with $25K-30K in cash and I bet they would have a hard time turning you down!
Barbixy
Member II
Not too many on the west coastIMO? Keep looking. Nice older boats are a dime a dozen right now.
E.g. I saw this much nicer looking 38-200 in that area of the country for instance:
Show up with $25K-30K in cash and I bet they would have a hard time turning you down!
JP in Sandusky
E38 on Lake Erie
That is a nice looking 38'. If you add it up, that is some nice kit.IMO? Keep looking. Nice older boats are a dime a dozen right now.
E.g. I saw this much nicer looking 38-200 in that area of the country for instance:
Show up with $25K-30K in cash and I bet they would have a hard time turning you down!
Message me if you want to know what we paid and what was included with our 38-200.
For me, buying from a family that was getting out of sailing was a big perk, since we were newly getting "in." So, all their"stuff" came with the boat, which made both parties happy.
I also happen to think getting the absolute best price is often not worth it. Owners that care about their boat want to sell to someone that also shows passion. You want a seller that cared about their boat. Trying to save the an extra grand or two on the purchase isn't really worth burning an open line of communication with the seller. (or surveyor or broker) You will have questions later.
I'd venture owning in the mid-west is as cheap as it gets, and I estimate it will cost $6-7k per year to own a 38' boat on the Great Lakes. 10 years is $70k in "basic running costs." Plus any major items. So getting a boat for $35k vs $37k really doesn't matter. The ten year cost is $105k or $107k.
Either way, you are committed. (and probably should be committed.
)
Drewm3i
Marine Surveyor
This is all really good advice to heed OP^That is a nice looking 38'. If you add it up, that is some nice kit.
Message me if you want to know what we paid and what was included with our 38-200.
For me, buying from a family that was getting out of sailing was a big perk, since we were newly getting "in." So, all their"stuff" came with the boat, which made both parties happy.
I also happen to think getting the absolute best price is often not worth it. Owners that care about their boat want to sell to someone that also shows passion. You want a seller that cared about their boat. Trying to save the an extra grand or two on the purchase isn't really worth burning an open line of communication with the seller. (or surveyor or broker) You will have questions later.
I'd venture owning in the mid-west is as cheap as it gets, and I estimate it will cost $6-7k per year to own a 38' boat on the Great Lakes. 10 years is $70k in "basic running costs." Plus any major items. So getting a boat for $35k vs $37k really doesn't matter. The ten year cost is $105k or $107k.
Either way, you are committed. (and probably should be committed.
Unfortunately it's normal in the trade for brokerage ads to have (some) misinformation. Occasionally just weird stuff.
That said, the good ones do try to vet their info and be accurate. A local sailboat brokerage here (previous owner, anyhow) used to contact me once a while to get a copy of an older factory brochure to help them write up a more-accurate description of a new listing.
A significant number of sellers are mistaken about some/many aspects of their vessel, although most are not trying to fool anyone but rather are just oblivious.