Jon

The last two post especially but all the advice above is good, read lots of positive blogs. And do a couple of passages as crew first As for Europe we have just sailed to NZ from Greece via Panama and weren't asked for any proof of competence at all, in fact when we left the EU in Lanzarote in the Canary Is, all we had to do was pay our marina fees and fill in a form ( they did it for us as it was in Spanish) stating where we where heading. all this at the marina office and they said they send these off once a month, no passport stamp or anything just off you go. They asked for our next port

Yes it was the male that was the wrong person It's often the case that "assumption is the mother of all fuckups"

Yes I know of a major brokerage who missed a very large sale by only talking to the wrong person recently. It happens all the time And just remember flash cars and suits often equal DEBT

I think what the doomsayers are missing is the only ones hurting are the ones exiting boat ownership It's all about the difference between selling and buying, If your in boating for investment then your dreaming mate We listed our boat for less than I thought it was worth and definatly less than it owed us but it sold in 4 days ( probably lucky ) but we can buy a lot cheaper also in this market IMHO there are people out there that aren't meeting the market, some because they don't really wish to sell and others because their dreaming, but there are always options in any market.

It's a generational thing Tim, our gen can't resist a bargain even if they cost twice what they are worth ! But the coming gen's what it new and now, so what your saying will happen it will just take a couple of natural disasters and time But I can see a opening for a boat dismatler to setup and buy for a $1 on trademe to scrap them I get very surprised every time I walk around marinas at some of the boats that have weed longer than the rigging and can't believe that someone is paying the fees. Wtf

Craig there is no way you will own it in 15 years, I'll put money on it. The best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour

Here you go Royale, a real kiwi boat but not at 250k like the one for sale here. Also no gst or duty http://au.yachtworld.com/boats/1979/Lid ... 9Xyk2IaySM Thanks Darkside, I thought I was decided before you posted that !

We looked at US boats initially but discounted them for two reasons being, 110v the other being the same boat in the US is about 20% more expensive. Also we don't get to sail across the Atlantic, so that makes three disadvantages As for the electrics of the Euro boats well I'm taking the Electrician on both the purchase trip and the real one. Yes we are only interested in owner versions that haven't been charted. And are looking at above average production / semi production models. Staying away from the average bear hopefully.

Darkside Thinking low but what will that be ? We have a line of them, first one on the hit list is in Spain then 3 days later we will be in Nice, I don't think they will know what's hit them. I'd hate to offer 60% of asking price and them say yes, but I guess if it's a bargin to us them everyone's happy And yes looking at non charter owners versions Not planning on much time in the Med but maybe next time ?

Interesting thread We have been looking for a 50' cruiser for the last year and everything we have seen here is either at least 3/4 of a mi or a POS. So we leave in six weeks to by in the Med It's looking likely that for less than $300k nz we will buy a yacht less than 5 years old and fitted out to a level not seen here. The biggest question on my mind is how low with my initial offer do I go ? 50, 70, 80 % of asking price ?? We will sail home, which is also a bonus Planning on taking a year in total on and off but if it takes two years then I won't be crying.

If it's the one I think your talking about I hope they are looking after it.

The idea of that sail is to just induce more heel ?

Or here are 4 options for Whangaroa

Here are 4 options that will cover all wind directions

Below radio info Definatly do Whangaroa if you have time, and don't worry about a marina unless you need supplies as there are plenty of places to anchor It's about 20 nm to Whangaroa then another 35 to Keri Keri aprox so it's doable in a little cruiser with a favourable breeze but it will make the trip if you stopover. You will be in ph range the whole way CG nowcasting Location Channel Doubtless Bay 20 Bay of Islands 21 Or CG on Whangaroa 84 BOI 86 Far North Radio VHF Channels: 60 East Coast, VHF Weather Broadcasts: 0730, 1330, 1730 and 1930 on request

For me it's a fixed Chartploter and tablet Then paper charts plus handheld gps as backup I do have a laptop also but haven't used it since I got the tablet. The big upside of the tablet is you can usually get free wifi ashore and just put it in your back pack and your off As for water proofing either a lifecase or bag type then either fix it to the bulkhead or I often hang it around my neck inside my ww gear for the tricky bits Other than that I like a electronic compass to steer to or even the autopilot, lets face it there aren't a lot of corners in the ocean.

Went around the westhaven brokerages this afternoon Only found one open

YNZ Safety Regulations SR Appendix 5 Page 152 Can be down loaded or viewed here http://www.yachtingnz.org.nz/Upload/Use ... _09-12.pdf