When it comes to broad boat browsing, we like to browse used catamarans on YachtWorld, FB groups and By-Owner websites.
If you are not pressed for time, Yachtworld can be a great place to check how your favorite boat listing changes – once they start lowering the price – pick up the phone and negotiate.
Remember – used boats are like used cars; they’re negotiable. Don’t be shy to push that budget limit up a little
Consider the boat location
Don’t limit your search by country!
Many buyers just fly to wherever the boat is or even start their sailing adventure from there. If you’re flexible with your search and budget, you can find some serious deals.
Setting price limits
Keep your minimum price above “0”. Otherwise you will end up with all of the new boats that have price listed.
Keep your maximum price above your upper limit. Boat prices fall, you are not buying a house.
Thinking of buying – Grab our FREE Catamaran Buying Checklist!
Trade-offs in Boat Buying
He calls it a “she” for a reason. Buying a boat is like dating. There’s always something that’s just not quite right. Comfort, speed, sailing performance—they don’t all get along. Something has to give. Don’t fall in love with the first listing, guys; flexibility is the secret sauce here.
Boat Age and Insurance Concerns
Boats over 15-20 years old might cause headaches when it comes to insurance. Not every old boat is a lemon, but definitely keep that in mind. Insurance companies can have limits on the age of the boat, especially if you are using a loan. don’t go ruling out older boats completely. Ours were 1985 and 1995 respectively.
Check with your insurance company, so you know where to stand. Or whether to find a different insurance company first.
Consider different brands
We’ve got a soft spot for Privilege and tend to lean a bit towards performance cats. But, guess what – browsing is free, so are boat shows – look around, hop aboard a few and decide what works for you. Joe is 6’4”, it is somewhat important for him to fit inside his boat (although he didn’t for the first 2 years).
That limited our search by a lot, and, in a way, made it easier to find our catamaran.
Inspecting Boat Listings
We can’t stress this enough: always dive into the details. Pictures? Sure, they look pretty, but they’re not your boat’s “best self” shot. We check engine hours (anything over 3,200 hours on a diesel engine, and we start squinting suspiciously), the age of the boat, and how well it’s been loved. If it looks like the boat’s been through a hurricane (and not in a “cool battle-worn” way), maybe move on.
Looking for hidden problems
Don’t get fooled by those “vintage” pillows—if the boat’s listed at a good price and comes with a bunch of cushions, ask for photos of everything without the cushions on – it is a good way to check for cracks, appliance leaks and mold.
Yeah, that means mattresses have to come out too!
Thinking of buying – Grab our FREE Catamaran Buying Checklist!
Practical Boat Modifications
We’re all about functionality over form. Take a nav desk—looks cool, right? But honestly, we found it more of a decorative piece. We’ve also repurposed spaces for homeschooling (don’t ask) and laundry. Convert, adapt, and be ready to turn your boat into a home that fits your needs. Just keep in mind, it will be someone else’s dream down the road, so, maybe, don’t turn a cabin into a walk-in closet.
Laundry
Do not do laundry by hand. Ever!
So, here’s a fun fact: a small washer is enough for a family of five. A dryer? Totally useless. When cruising in warm climates—let that tropical breeze do its thing. Solar power is what powered our washer, and we’re not fans of anything that eats up energy, like a dryer.
Galley Layout Preferences
We have a clear preference: “galley below.” Why? It keeps the kitchen mess separate from the main living area. Plus, newer boats with “galley up” designs might sound cool for the views, but don’t say we didn’t warn you about that sunburn-worthy heat.
Engine Hours and Boat Age
Engine hours matter. A lot. We check if the engine is young enough to take us on our adventures without us needing a backup plan. Low engine hours are like gold in the used boat world. Ask about engine rebuilds and replacements, if not listed in the description.
Solar Panels and Energy Needs
Solar panels: they’re essential for us. We only ran our boat on solar and wind. While the bimini is great for solar placement, keep in mind that while sailing, the panels will be blocked by the sails, so efficiency can dip. Ours were right above on top of the dinghy davits.
Also, if your bimini is covered by solar panels, how will you climb on top to adjust a line, or a sail? Just something to think about.
Charter Boat Considerations
f you’re looking at a former charter boat, there’s a catch. Sure, some are well-maintained, but others might have high engine hours and a history of heavy partying (we mean usage). We recommend checking for care and maintenance. The charter company should be able to provide that.
Thinking of buying – Grab our FREE Catamaran Buying Checklist!
Number of previous owners
Charter boats come with history—and sometimes a lot of baggage. But, if the boat has had multiple owners, expect a tangled mess of wiring and modifications. But hey, it could also be a diamond in the rough. Either way, check every nook and cranny! And ask questions, before you write the check.
Boat Layouts and Comfort
Comfort vs. performance: it’s always a tug of war. Newer boats have bigger cabins for living space, but their sailing performance? Meh. Older boats can fly, but you might feel like you’re crammed in. The key is finding that sweet spot, and it might take a few tries (and a couple of “compromises”).
Narrow hulls make sailing faster (yay), but they also shrink the cabin space (boo). We love the speed, so if you’re tall like us, you might need to get cozy with smaller cabins. It’s a trade-off, and we accept it… sort of.
Electrical Systems
If you’re eyeing a boat with a 220-volt system, be ready to do some rewiring—especially if you’re in the U.S. It’s a whole thing, so don’t forget to budget for it. Trust us, you don’t want to be stuck with a system that can’t power your morning coffee.
You might need to import a few tools and parts, should you choose to keep the 220.
Bathrooms (aka Heads)
Separate showers and heads? Yes, please, if possible.
We had 4 composting heads and I would not repeat. Maybe one (which is the number we ended up using anyway). Holding tanks suck, so maybe a Type I or II MSD (marine sanitation device). We had one on our monohull and I loved, loved, loved it – especially with younger kids.
While on that cool anchorage, with pristine clear water, keep the waste aboard, please – hence the composting or holding tank options.
Bridge Deck Clearance
Ah, the infamous bridge deck slamming. It’s a common catamaran problem when sailing into waves. It sucks, but it’s manageable—sail downwind, avoid the waves, or just power through. That basically exhausts your options.
Do some research and check the bridge deck clearance, it makes a difference.
I never got used to the slamming. Once I convinced myself that the boat was not going to burst into pieces with the next wave, it got a little easier, but not any more comfortable.
Hard vs. Soft Bimini
Soft biminis? Nah. Hard biminis are the real deal—less maintenance, more protection. If you live in the cockpit like we did, that extra shelter goes a long way.
Do not trust all those expensive sprays. They last a couple of tropical rain storms, at the most. After that – enjoy the fresh water showers in the cockpit.
Boat Compromises
Let’s be real: there’s no such thing as the perfect boat. Every boat has its quirks. If one system breaks, you’re probably looking at more things that need fixing. But hey, that’s boat life, right?
Now go find that boat of your dreams—or at least one that doesn’t have too many skeletons in the closet!
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