How to Buy a Liveaboard SailBoat
The liveaboard lifestyle has captured the imagination of many. And with the rise of remote work, it’s becoming more and more attainable for people from different backgrounds and stages of life. Solo sailors, young couples, families and the semi-retired are all joining the ranks of liveaboards.
But, before casting off, aspiring sailors must navigate the often uncertain waters of finding and purchasing a sailboat. It’s a process that can be daunting. The combination of finding something that you can comfortably live in, something that will stay afloat, and something that meets your budget can be a tricky puzzle to solve. This is especially true if you’ve never lived on a boat long term before or have limited experience purchasing boats.
A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing and Buying a Liveaboard Sail Boat
When we set out to buy our first sailboat, we didn’t know our bilge drain from a hole in the hull. But through careful planning, research and asking a lot of questions we were able to successfully navigate the process and find and purchase a great little starter boat in Croatia.
In this guide, we will share everything we’ve learned about choosing the right boat for your needs and discuss the ins and outs of how to buy a liveaboard sailboat.
Hopefully, we can help steer you through the process so you can find a sailboat that suits your needs, budget, and your sense of humor (a necessary trait when your plumbing system gives up in a remote anchorage in the middle of the night).
Decide if Liveaboard Life is Right for You
Before you dive headfirst into the deep end, it’s a good idea to make sure the liveaboard lifestyle is really for you. It’s not all sunsets and sea breeze – it’s also living in confined spaces, constant maintenance, and the occasional stressful squall.
What is Liveaboard Life Like?
Life aboard is tranquil and sometimes even monotoneous …until it isn’t. One moment, you’re enjoying a perfect sunrise with coffee in hand, and the next, you’re bailing water out of the bilge because a hose decided to part ways with its fitting.
While a lot of days are filled with normal everyday activities, sailing toward your next anchorage or marina, taking on water and provisions, carrying out maintenance or repairs, swimming or walking ashore, or maybe working below deck
But, life aboard can change rapidly from one moment to the next.
A few unforecast storms and gales have hit us. In busy anchorages, like the time in Corfu, we spent the night fending off swinging yachts and on deserted coastlines like the time a gale blew all through the night in a remote bay in Albania.
The pros? Unparalleled freedom, a minimalist lifestyle, and front-row seats to nature at her breathtaking best. The downsides? Limited space, occasional isolation, and an uncanny ability for everything to go wrong at the same time.
Assess Your Lifestyle Needs
Ask yourself: can you live without a dishwasher, a massive wardrobe, or a blistering fast internet connection? Are you okay with your dining room also being your office, and yoga studio? Liveaboard life requires adaptability, a sense of adventure, and perhaps a slightly masochistic love of DIY projects.
We’ve certainly had to adapt to the liveaboard lifestyle; however, having come from living in vans, it wasn’t the space or the isolation that through us but adjusting to the logistics of boat life-like, monitoring the weather, plotting our course and provisioning, as well as learning to maintain our boat on the go.
Take stock of what you’ll need to thrive. If you’re traveling as a couple, a 29-foot sailboat like ours is a cozy fit. If you’ve got a family, you’ll likely need more space (and patience). Write down your non-negotiables and be honest about what you’re willing to compromise on.
Determine Your Budget
Ah, the budget – that pesky little thing standing between you and your dream boat. Buying a liveaboard sailboat isn’t just about the sticker price. It’s about understanding the actual cost of ownership and ensuring you’re not left penniless when it comes time to repair the engine or replace the sails.
Initial Purchase Costs
Sailboats come in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges. A modest, pre-loved monohull might set you back $30,000–$100,000, while a new catamaran can quickly soar into the millions. Consider your needs carefully: Are you okay with a fixer-upper, or do you want something turnkey? Remember, every dollar you save upfront might end up in the “fix this” fund later.
In 2022, We spent just under €25,000 euro purchasing a 30-year-old monohull. At 29 feet, it was smaller than many other liveaboard boats but was a great starter boat.
It was not only cheaper to buy, it has also been more affordable to maintain, store, and upgrade. It’s been a great boat to learn to sail on, being small and maneuverable. We’ve learned a lot on this boat and will know more about what we want on our next boat without overspending before we even knew exaclty what we wanted in a boat, or even if we’d continue sailing.
Ongoing Costs
Buying the boat is just the beginning; the spending doesn’t stop. There’s a range of ongoing boat maintenance costs to consider, including annual haul-outs, engine maintenance, and anti-fouling, plus replacing and upgrading systems like sails and rigging onboard electrical systems as they age. Then, you have insurance, mooring fees, and equipment upgrades to consider.
Financing Options
Not everyone has a boat-sized pile of cash lying around. Financing options are available, from specific boat loans to general personal loans. Just be sure to factor in interest rates and repayment schedules.
Of course, financing a boat means you’ll need to have an income while you sail, so you might need to consider jobs for liveaboards if you haven’t already worked out how you’ll make a scrap.
Choose a Liveaboard Sailboat to Buy
Choosing the right type of boat is kind of key to your liveaboard happiness. It’s not just about aesthetics – it’s about finding a vessel that matches your lifestyle and sailing goals.
Choose the Right Type of Sailboat
Before you start looking at what is available for sale in your budget, it’s worth considering what type of boat you actually want.
Size and Layout
As we’ve mentioned, bigger isn’t always better. A 50-foot yacht might sound dreamy, but can you handle cleaning that much deck space let alone handling that much boat in a strong wind?
For solo sailors or couples, something in the 35-45 foot range is often ideal. Families might need a bit more room.
Layout design is also key If you prioritize cooking, then you’ll want more room in the galley, if you plan on having people visit you an extra cabin would be handy, but if not you may choose for a design with fewer but larger cabins. If you plan to work remotely while you sail, a comfortable area to work from is a must-have.
Monohull vs. Catamaran
The great debate: monohull or catamaran? Monohulls are classic, fun to sail (if you enjoy the feeling of the boat heeling) and more affordable. Catamarans offer stability and ( a lot) more space. Your choice will depend on your budget, sailing style, and whether you prioritize tradition or comfort.
In our opinion, the biggest drawback for catamarans, besides losing a couple of points for style and speed points, is the added cost. With so much more boat, cats are much more expensive to buy, maintain, store, and insure.
New vs. Used
A shiny, new sailboat may feel like the ultimate prize, but used boats often offer waaay better value. Ideally look for a boat that has been used for the same purpose you intend to use it for. For example, if you plan to primarily anchor off the grid in the Mediterranean, buy a boat that was previously used in this way and set it up with solar, sufficient water storage, and other amenities that suit your purposes.
Just be sure to budget for repairs and upgrades, not just in money but time and stress as well. Taking on a project boat without any experience can not only drain your bank account but your will to live.
Charter vs. Privately Owned
Purchasing a charter boat comes with a range of pros and cons, just as finding a privately owned boat does.
A charter boat will have an excellent engine maintenance record, and there’s a very good chance it will have been serviced correctly in a timely manner. Charter boats are often sold at fair market value as the charter business is making an economic decision and does not benefit from a boat sitting on the market for a long time.
On the other hand, chartered boats will often see heavier use than privately held boats, racking up far greater engine hours and sailing hours than private boats of the same age. They also may not have been treated as well as privately owned boats, having a wide variety of skippers from the seasoned and cautious to inexperienced and reckless increasing the risk of buying a boat with unreported damage. There can also be tax implications if buying a former charter boat to use privately.
A private boat, on the other hand, will generally have had less time on the engine and at sea in general. Depending on the previous owner, it could have been cared for meticulously and regularly upgraded; it could also have been left to fall into disrepair and not maintained at all – something your inspection and survey should uncover. Private boats are sometimes listed at quite high prices as it is often a personal and emotional sale for the owner, who likely spent a lot of time caring for and enjoying the boat, making memories on it.
At the end of the day, both privately owned and chartered boats can be great vessels or lemons. And both might be worth looking at depending your goals and as long as you know what to watch out for. In our opinion, finding a boat that has always been privately owned by a skipper who has clearly cared for and loved their boat is the ideal boat to buy…as long as you can agree on a fair price.
Searching for Boats
Once you’ve got your budget and preferences nailed down, it’s time to dive into the research phase. This is where the fun begins (and by fun, I mean hours of scrolling through online listings and asking, “What does ‘recently upgraded’ really mean?”). Finding the right boat requires patience, a discerning eye, and maybe a bit of luck.
Where to Look
Start your search in the usual places:
- Online Marketplaces:
- Websites like YachtWorld provide listings from licensed brokers. You might not get the best deals here, but there is some peace of mind in purchasing through a reputable broker who will help both parties through the sale and help handle the transaction. Although brokers work for the seller, they still have a vested interest in ensuring the transaction goes through smoothly and both parties sail away happy.
- Alternatively, Facebook Marketplace, region-specific online markets (Craigslist, Gum Tree, etc.), and specific Facebook groups such as Sailboats – For Sale by Owner Only and Liveaboard Sailboats for Sale are good places to find boats listed by private sellers. While you might find better deals here, you will need to be extra cautious to avoid scams and lemons.
- Boat Brokers: Visiting boat brokers offices at the marina can be another good way to buy. They’ll likely have a good selection of boats to compare, and you can physically inspect the boats.
We found our boat online using YachtWorld. As it was our first time buying a boat, we really appreciated the assistance and the peace of mind the broker brought to the process. Now that we have a little more experience, we would definitely consider boats being sold privately, but we would be extra cautious!
Consider Features You Want on Board
Once you start to zero in on a few boats you might like to buy, you can start to consider the practical features that individual boats may or may not offer depending on their previous owner and use.
From storage space to water tanks, practical features can make or break your liveaboard experience. While you will likely need to adjust, upgrade, or modify some features on a secondhand boat to suit your needs, you don’t want to buy something that you need to do a massive amount of upgrades to, as you are unlikely to recoup these costs when you go to sell.
Liveaboard Essentials
- Water and Fuel Capacity: If you’re planning long stretches at anchor, you’ll need tanks large enough to avoid frequent trips to port. Some boats even come with water makers—a game changer if you’re tired of rationing showers.
- Storage: The golden rule of liveaboard life? You can never have too much storage. Look for clever compartments, ample lockers, and places to stash spare parts, provisions, and the occasional bottle of rum.
- Ventilation and Insulation: A poorly ventilated boat can feel like a sauna in the tropics or an icebox in colder climates. Check for plenty of opening hatches and consider insulation, fans, heaters, or air conditioners if you’re planning to sail in variable weather.
One thing we didn’t consider when buying our boat was water storage, which had to be increased. We also had to add fans, shades, and wind catchers to keep cooler in summer.
Comfort and Safety
- Navigation Equipment: GPS, depth sounders, and chart plotters are non-negotiable for safe sailing. Bonus points if they’re modern and easy to use (because, let’s face it, nobody wants to read a 300-page manual).
- Solar Panels and Batteries: A robust solar setup can save you from running the engine just to charge your laptop. Look for a boat with a solid electrical system or plan to upgrade it.
- Safety Gear: From life rafts to EPIRBs, safety equipment is essential. Don’t skimp—your life could depend on it.
The electrical system on our boat was another area we didn’t pay close enough attention to. Once we started sailing, we realized the existing set-up wasn’t sufficient for our needs, and we needed to upgrade a job that cost us several thousand dollars.
The Inspection Process
Once you’ve found a boat that ticks your boxes, it’s time to get up close and personal. Like a first date—you’re looking for red flags while secretly imagining a future together.
- Exterior: Check the hull for cracks, blisters, or signs of damage. A freshly painted hull might be a cover-up for bigger issues. Pay attention to the keel, rudder, propeller and through hulls.
- Interior: Look for leaks, mold, and other evidence of water ingress like stained wood. Note the overall condition of the living spaces. Does the galley make you want to cook or cry?
- Mechanical Systems: So far as is possible, test the engine, plumbing, and electrical systems. Bonus points if everything works on the first try.
- Rigging and Sails: Inspect the mast, rigging, and sails for wear and tear. If the sails look like they’ve seen one too many storms, factor replacements into your budget.
We bought our boat unseen, so we didn’t get the opportunity to inspect it ourselves physically, instead we asked for some extra photos to show specific things not obvious in the online listing. You could also ask the seller to do a video call to show you the boat.
Hire a Surveyor
If the boat passes your initial inspection, it’s time to call in a professional surveyor. This is a critical step in our opinion. They’ll assess the boat’s condition and highlight issues you might have missed. Think of it as a home building and pest inspection but with more barnacles.
Track down a reputable surveyor by asking around at the local marina or researching online using search engines or forums. The surveyor will need to haul the boat out of the water if its not already out of the water. This expense is usually at the buyers cost. After a throurough inspection the surveyor will provide a detailed report that should comment on each and every part of the boat.
Our experience with a surveyor was excellent. We actually had two boats surveyed. Both times we received comprehensive reports. We passed on the first boat we had inspected by a surveyor but purchased the second as he gave it a glowing review. We paid a few hundred euro per report but it saved us a huge amount of potential money and heartache by steering us away from a lemon and toward a sound boat.
Sea Trial
The next step is to inspect the boat on the water to make sure it sails as good as it looks. This phase is crucial—it’s pretty much your last chance to confirm that the boat meets your expectations before you sign on the dotted line. Your surveyor should also be present for this stage of the inspection to give their proffesional opinion of the boat in the water.
Conduct a Sea Trial
Think of a sea trial as the boating equivalent of a test drive. You’ll get a feel for how the boat handles, identify any potential issues, and ensure you’re not buying a floating lemon.
- Test Its Performance: Assess how the boat behaves under sail and power. Does it feel stable? Does it accelerate and tack smoothly?
- Inspect in Action: Use this opportunity to see all systems in action—engine, navigation equipment, autopilot, and even the anchor windlass. If something doesn’t work during the sea trial, it’s a red flag.
The first boat we had surveyed never made it to the sea trial phase because the surveyorer didn’t beleive it was worth looking at any further. The second boat we inspected we did have a sea trial and it revealed what we suspected on land, that the boat had been kept well, was in great order and was ready to sail!
Negotiate the Price
So, you’ve fallen in love with the boat, and the sea trial didn’t raise any deal-breakers. Now, it’s time to make an offer.
Obviously, as a buyer, it’s better to make an informed offer after an inspection, survey, and sea trial, however, many sellers and brokers, in particular, are going to want to have an offer first and often a deposit. In this case, make sure you make any offers contingent on a physical inspection, survey, and sea trial. If you wish to withdraw the offer or change it after the inspections, the contract should allow you to do so without penalty or forfitting any part of your deposit.
When deciding what to offer:
- Research what similar boats have sold for. You can see what’s being advertised online for sale, but be aware that sometimes the asking price and the sold price are not always the same. You could also reach out to someone in the industry for insight into fair prices. Forums and message boards are great places to ask for this sort of help and info.
- Take the survey into consideration. If you are buying a second hand boat than you can’t expect everything to be brand new, but if basic features, or thise advertised are missing or do not work properly you should consider how much that will cost to replace or repair when making your offer.
- Stay Realistic: It’s okay to haggle …within reason, but don’t expect to get a fully outfitted, ocean-ready yacht for pennies on the dollar. You also don’t want to completely offside the only person who knows the most about your new boat/home…you may need them down the line.
- Be Prepared to Walk Away: Sometimes, the best negotiating tool is the willingness to walk away. There’s always another boat on the horizon.
Closing the Deal
The boat’s sea trial was a success, and the price is agreed upon; you are ready to sign a contract (if you haven’t already). Once you have a contract in place you are almost there, but there are a few final steps to ensure the transition from potential buyer to proud boat owner goes smoothly.
Paperwork and Legalities
Buying a boat involves more paperwork than you’d think. Before you initiate any payments, make sure to:
- Verify Ownership: Ensure the seller has a clear title and the authority to sell the boat.
- Check for Outstanding Debts: Some boats have hidden baggage, like unpaid mooring fees or loans.
- Check for Builder Plate and Safety Certificate: Some regions require boat owners to be in possession of a builder plate and a safetey certificate for their vessel. These may be required for registration.
- Check for Proof of Sales Tax: Some regions apply sales tax and you may need proof that this has been paid if you plan to take the boat out of the region you bought it in.
- Complete a Bill of Sale: A detailed bill of sale protects both parties and serves as proof of transfer.
Transfer Funds
Once you are happy that everything is above board and you have a complete bill of sale, you can initiate a funds transfer.
If you are buying through a broker, they will hold the funds on the seller’s behalf until the sale is complete.
In a private sale, you will pay the owner directly.
The easiest way to pay for a private sale is to transfer between two bank accounts in the same country. If you’re buying the boat from someone from a different country, we recommend using international online banks like Wise or Revolut. It’s easy to set up an account (although you might need to do it in advance so you have time to verify your identity and transfer funds). Transferring between Wise accounts or between Revolut accounts should be instant.
Once the funds clear, the previous owner can hand over the keys. You are now the proud owner of a sailboat.
Ownership Essentials
Now the boat is your responsibility there are a few formalities to finalise before taking for a spin.
- Paying Tax: In some cases, buying a boat may attract a sales tax. In the case where you buy a second hand boat from a private owner, any sales tax should have already been paid, however in some situations for example buying an ex-charter boat that has been used in a business, the tax may not have been paid and the new buyer (you) will be responsible. Make sure you are aware of any sales tax payable BEFORE you make an offer.
- Registration: The current owner may need to de-register the boat so you can register it under your name.
- Insurance: Once the boat has been signed over to you, boat insurance becomes non-negotiable. Shop around for the best coverage and ensure it suits your cruising plans. Finding insurance can sometimes be a bit difficult, depending on the combination of the boat, skipper, and location in which you plan to sail. It is not a bad idea to suss out an insurer while the sale is still going through so you are ready to have the boat insured when it does.
- Licenses and Permits: Make sure you have the proper licenses and permits to sail your new boat in the region you plan to sail. Additionally, make sure you have any necessary permits to use the onboard equipment such as the VHF.
Arrange Transportation
If the boat isn’t already where you want it, you’ll need to plan how to get it there. Options include sailing it yourself, hiring a delivery captain, or transporting it.
Celebrate Your New Life Afloat
Boom. Pop the champagne, christen your boat, and take your first sail as a liveaboard.