GraniteStater
Veteran Member
More Newbie questions. Thanks in advance for all your help and guidance. You folks are a really wonderful group.
My biggest concern looking at trawlers is the amount of maintenance required. I don't have much experience with things mechanical and while I'm happy to try, I don't want to get in over my head.
My first thought was to focus on newer boats with newer systems (say 5 years or younger) because I figured they were less likely to have problems. I know newer boats are more expensive but I was thinking of the premium price as prepaid maintenance.
A friend (thanks Mischief Managed) got me looking at Tollycrafts which are all older but I'm amazed at how well maintained so many of them are. That got me looking at boats which are on average 20 years old. Its friggen amazing how much more boat you can buy and still stay way within your budget.
That begs the question - Does a 20 year old, well maintained boat require a lot more maintenance than a 5 year old boat?
Although my my first thought was "of course it does," my experience with houses is quite different. My work moves me around a good bit so in 13 years of marriage we've lived in 6 homes - 2 of which we had custom built. The custom built ones always required more work than the older homes.
So what say you? Will I spend a lot more time in the engine room on an older boat?
BTW - we don't care that much about the interiors. I'm blessed with an admiral who doesn't care all that much about fancy. In fact with kids we'd almost prefer a 20 year old interior because when the kids ruin it (and they always ruin it) then it won't be as expensive.....
Thanks!
My biggest concern looking at trawlers is the amount of maintenance required. I don't have much experience with things mechanical and while I'm happy to try, I don't want to get in over my head.
My first thought was to focus on newer boats with newer systems (say 5 years or younger) because I figured they were less likely to have problems. I know newer boats are more expensive but I was thinking of the premium price as prepaid maintenance.
A friend (thanks Mischief Managed) got me looking at Tollycrafts which are all older but I'm amazed at how well maintained so many of them are. That got me looking at boats which are on average 20 years old. Its friggen amazing how much more boat you can buy and still stay way within your budget.
That begs the question - Does a 20 year old, well maintained boat require a lot more maintenance than a 5 year old boat?
Although my my first thought was "of course it does," my experience with houses is quite different. My work moves me around a good bit so in 13 years of marriage we've lived in 6 homes - 2 of which we had custom built. The custom built ones always required more work than the older homes.
So what say you? Will I spend a lot more time in the engine room on an older boat?
BTW - we don't care that much about the interiors. I'm blessed with an admiral who doesn't care all that much about fancy. In fact with kids we'd almost prefer a 20 year old interior because when the kids ruin it (and they always ruin it) then it won't be as expensive.....
Thanks!