Tough decision-- when to sell the boat

[Frank Langer]

For those of us who have sailed for many years, passionate about sailing, and have loved our boats for their beauty and sailing prowess, how does one recognize when it's time?
Sometimes health dictates, after stroke or heart attack. Sometimes a major life event like divorce requires liquidation. But the less obvious, like advancing age, less mobility, decreased confidence to handle crises and heavy weather sailing.
Or just less enjoyment, fewer trips planned, more time sitting at the dock than out sailing, even on nice days.
While pondering this, still seeing her beauty, but feeling my age, how does one decide to sell their boat, risking a major depressive episode to follow?
Frank

 

[Loren Beach]

While a major health change can put you at a forced decision point, my guess is that many boat owners keep their boat as long as visiting it and (to a reduced extent) going out on the water gives their life purpose and meaning.
Advancing age does being general weakness, lack of balance and mobility, and more consideration of whether the afternoon is "nice enough" to go out.
The last couple years most of my sailing (as separate from motoring to a nearby park dock for an overnight stay with my wife) has been with other retired sailing buddies, Sometimes sailing on our boat and sometimes on one of theirs. BTW, helming different boats is great "therapy" in itself. And, the social time is invaluable.
i.e. no easy answers... just slightly different approaches...

 

[G Kiba]

Many YC members facing the inevitable aging issue switch to powerboats to allow them to stay connected to their sailing community.

 

[bigd14]

Hard for me to judge because I am not to that point just yet, but I was moored for awhile next to a frail elderly couple who never took their boat out but would come down to the marina and enjoy sitting in the cockpit in the sun and having a drink. They were always in good spirits when I saw them. Even if a boat is just tied to the dock there is still some magic about it, so I would hang on to it until you are no longer feeling that magic. There is always the concern about trying to keep the boat maintenance up, but you are already way ahead of the game there compared to most boats so I wouldn’t worry about that aspect of it.
My wife often reminds me when I complain about a health issue: “don’t focus on what you can’t do, just enjoy what you can.” She’s always right.

 

[Christian Williams]

One thing for sure, we need to sell our boat before it becomes a burden to somebody else.

Put it off too long out of pride, and not only does upkeep suffer and ruin sale prospects, but family members get stuck with what can be a sad and problematic legacy.

 

[Bobby Steele]

In our case, life circumstances, and financial issues have led us to finally have to put our 34-2 up for sale.

 

[Afrakes]

For those of us who have sailed for many years, passionate about sailing, and have loved our boats for their beauty and sailing prowess, how does one recognize when it's time?
Sometimes health dictates, after stroke or heart attack. Sometimes a major life event like divorce requires liquidation. But the less obvious, like advancing age, less mobility, decreased confidence to handle crises and heavy weather sailing.
Or just less enjoyment, fewer trips planned, more time sitting at the dock than out sailing, even on nice days.
While pondering this, still seeing her beauty, but feeling my age, how does one decide to sell their boat, risking a major depressive episode to follow?
Frank

That is exactly what I'm struggling with now. The clock is ticking. Nobody in the family is in a position to take over. Due to physical difficulties didn't get out as much as we'd like too. Local grandkids getting older and have other interests. Other grandkids too far away of just too young. Decision time is upon us. It's harder than I thought.

 

[jtsai]

A sign when it is time to sell the boat. There were 3 broken eggs on the deck, well baked under the sun. The owners finally sold the boat, well under their asking price.

 

[Drewm3i]

A sign when it is time to sell the boat. There were 3 broken eggs on the deck, well baked under the sun. The owners finally sold the boat, well under their asking price.

View attachment 54513

I love me some duck eggs--better than chicken eggs that's for sure!

 

[Drewm3i]

You guys are making me sad! I'm only 31 but what happens when there is noone to boat or sail with? Noone to talk to on the docks, etc? I already feel that happening TBH...

 

[David Vaughn]

When I read Frank’s post this morning something occurred to me that I was going to say jokingly, but in light of Christian’s wise advice, and the reality that most all of us know of someone that waited too long, maybe it’s more appropriate than I thought:

Is this like reefing? If you’re starting to think about it….

 

[Frank Langer]

Thanks for all your comments and wisdom so far! This is likely a very tough decision for many of us at some point, but especially for those of us who have owned a sailboat for a long time, sometimes living on the boat or visiting many lovely destinations, often with spouse, children and grandchildren. But aging is relentless despite generally good health, and boat maintenance, especially on older boats, is unrelenting regardless of age. Important decisions in life should not be rushed, but ignoring subtle signs is also not wise. Probably a different decision for each of us in terms of timing, as the consequences and implications are quite individual. We'll see....
Frank

 

[Loren Beach]

Many years ago an older member of our YC told me that the applicable saying was: "Sailboat, Motorboat, Motor Home, Rest Home"...!
(We seem to be on track to skip the motor boat and RV. )

 

[Norwester]

Dear Frank,
When to sell..., or donate, or just give away to an active crew member...you'll only know and for us to find out later.

Boats seem to sail in...and out of my life, often. For most of them, the best day was neither the first nor the last, as some sage-makers share at times, but rather those days when the decks were full of friends, family and visiting crew.
Something that soothes my soul is the belief that I don't own a "forever boat" or in fact that I "own" boats at all. Rather, we're just are fortunate to be a part of their own journey. Once a boat is sold, I'm free to volunteer my crew or passenger ("Where's a martini?") services more often on other vessels.

To the selling part:
I've found the transaction more enjoyable when I'm not forced to sell;
My level preparation of paperwork, accessories, and vessel is reflected in time required to make transaction.

When buying a boat, I like to ask the seller to share a story about how the boat enriched their lives....Maybe you have one for us?

 

[Frank Langer]

Many years ago an older member of our YC told me that the applicable saying was: "Sailboat, Motorboat, Motor Home, Rest Home"...!
(We seem to be on track to skip the motor boat and RV. )

Loren,
Ugh!!
If that's the only sequence, I'll have to keep our sailboat till I'm gone. !!
Frank

 

[bigd14]

Something that soothes my soul is the belief that I don't own a "forever boat" or in fact that I "own" boats at all. Rather, we're just are fortunate to be a part of their own journey.

I feel this- am just the current caretaker.

 

[ddoles]

I remember while shopping for my E38-200 and seeing many sad, unloved boats on the market I concluded that many owners should have put their boats up for sale 3 years earlier. I think the question is not necessarily about when you lose the enjoyment of sailing her, but when do you lose the motivation to maintain her.

 

[Bolo]

I'm keeping my boat till the end with instructions to place my body on board, float it out into the middle of the bay and set it alight, just like a proper Viking funeral. Or at least like the one's I've seen in the movies.

 

[Frank Langer]

I'm keeping my boat till the end with instructions to place my body on board, float it out into the middle of the bay and set it alight, just like a proper Viking funeral. Or at least like the one's I've seen in the movies.
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While a nice sentiment, how in your older age will you maintain your boat to a reasonable standard? How often will you, or a family member, actually take her out and raise her sails?
I would appreciate any serious thoughts or advice you have on this-- we're a similar age, and I'm trying to think this all through.
I still do almost all my own maintenance, partly to save money but more so because I know I'll do it well, and many professionals don't care as much about my boat as I do, they're also often unreliable.
I still sail fairly regularly, including on nice days in winter, but now try to avoid the more challenging 20 to 25 knot wind and waves.
But I can tell that I'm not as nimble, strong or confident as when younger, and I have less patience and resilience when problems arise, so I know the clock is ticking...
Frank

 

[Dave G.]

I still do almost all my own maintenance, partly to save money but more so because I know I'll do it well, and many professionals don't care as much about my boat as I do, they're also often unreliable.
I still sail fairly regularly, including on nice days in winter

Frank, IMHO you have answered the question already with the "I stills". I have been without a boat now for over a year after a very long time of being with one. "It's still" a lonely dark place for me. Yes I'm 74 and had a good run but I think I have some miles left in the tank. So my advice is if your still doing it, keep doing it as long as you can. There is nothing like it on earth....