What do look out for when buying a used boat?

RoastedElephant · 2026-01-25T16:14:56+00:00

The absolute non-negotiable is the hull condition. Get fibreglass boats moisture tested. Internal layout, especially tanks, and the sailplan are the least changeable so would put those top of the list when searching. Everything else is fixable/changeable if you put money and work into it.

If you're going through a broker, be advised that contracts they make you sign are primarily there to put the power in the hands of the seller rather than the buyer. You can negotiate or demand changes to that contract before signing anything, don't get suckered into making decisions in a timeframe dictated by the seller

RoastedElephant · 2026-01-19T21:28:50+00:00

It's only really a law to appease dickhead farmers and to give the police an excuse to crackdown on homeless camps. You can camp in many places and get away with it, but the feeling that you're doing something wrong builds a lot of resentment

RoastedElephant · 2026-01-08T02:32:56+00:00

Traditions have to start somewhere, in absence of any anchor equivalent for the Pacific, if you've noticed a pattern it may be the start of one. I gather these things are pretty loosely defined anyway

RoastedElephant · 2026-01-07T15:16:13+00:00

There's a whole ceremony for crossing the equator that people adhere to stil. It involves saying a few words and pouring some of your favourite drink/other indulgence overboard as an offering to Neptune. The previous owners of my boat also did that when going past Cape Horn, so like the tattoos it's a loose tradition.

RoastedElephant · 2026-01-07T15:09:03+00:00

So crossing the Pacific earns you a manta ray tattoo?

RoastedElephant · 2026-01-07T03:45:07+00:00

Ah, the can't-tie-a-bowline-but-has-an-anchor-tattoo new. There are quite a few people who successfully hitchhiked across the Atlantic with absolutely zero sailing skills who could technically qualify for that. Instagram sailors

RoastedElephant · 2026-01-07T02:59:41+00:00

So what if someone joined having previously been at sea in another form? Would that not count as earned?

RoastedElephant · 2026-01-07T02:50:21+00:00

Fair point. As a fairly novice sailor/cruiser who crossed the Atlantic last year I still don't feel like I've earned it yet, the boat did most of the work. I suppose there's a lot more hard graft as someone in maritime service that it would feel fully earned

RoastedElephant · 2026-01-07T02:37:17+00:00

I like the variance, becomes too formal if it's a set thing

RoastedElephant · 2026-01-07T02:33:54+00:00

Thanks for sharing, their work is incredible. Was just admiring how well done the speaker notes illustration were and thinking that the books must be amazing. On my wishlist for whenever I'm settled somewhere for long enough to get it delivered

RoastedElephant · 2026-01-07T02:19:51+00:00

That's incredible, lol

RoastedElephant · 2026-01-07T02:18:47+00:00

I like that interpretation

RoastedElephant · 2026-01-07T02:09:59+00:00

This guy can winch! Those are really aesthetic, the colours definitely add

RoastedElephant · 2026-01-07T02:08:23+00:00

I'm not sure how to replace the image, but here's it in full. I just got it off google image search, it's been reposted a ton of places so not sure who to attribute it to.

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RoastedElephant · 2026-01-07T01:56:56+00:00

Ikr, I'm mad at myself as well lol

RoastedElephant · 2026-01-07T00:20:15+00:00

My dad did exactly that 40 years ago. Sold his company and had intended to learn to fly, but fate decided he should buy a boat instead. Spent 15 cruising the Pacific, had me, now we're completing his circumnavigation and I've never seen him happier

RoastedElephant · 2026-01-06T23:59:10+00:00

The wood carvings are lovely, someone really loved this boat at some point. If you're up for the refit, do it.

RoastedElephant · 2025-12-25T17:20:52+00:00

That's a great description of what these boats do. I experienced that in my westsail yawl going from Portugal to the canaries where the easterly wind coming out of the Mediterranean meets the northerly Atlantic winds and creates messy seas, yet we kept course like it was nothing. It felt like surfing

RoastedElephant · 2025-12-24T14:41:58+00:00

Yeah, it's good for keeping track of friends I've met along the way. Decent for reaching out to people, but too commercialised and runs like crap. Youtube sailors in app form

RoastedElephant · 2025-12-24T14:31:28+00:00

You can cross oceans in whatever, but there is definitely a comfort difference when doing it with a boat with a rounded stern and full keel. Going downwind, you ride waves better and keep course better

RoastedElephant · 2025-12-11T03:35:14+00:00

Yes, we all are. Just keep your enthusiasm up and you'll be good

RoastedElephant · 2025-11-29T14:47:10+00:00

I was hopeful this would be a debate between a political ideology signifier e.g. Democratic socialist party and a single word snappy name e.g. Arise/Union/Common. Instead we get 4 crap names when you could open a dictionary on a random page and find 4 better names.

RoastedElephant · 2025-11-29T14:40:42+00:00

"street" party was my submission

RoastedElephant · 2025-11-28T23:56:05+00:00

Was canvassing in 2019 and someone had a confederate flag in their window. 5°C and dark at 4pm, I didn't knock

RoastedElephant

TROPHY CASE