Finding Used Sailboats for Sale in the Caribbean

The first part of the question is easy to answer - right here! We're not a broker so seek no commission, nor do we make a charge for placing the ads. We only allow ads from the owners themselves - and yes, it's all for free!

But there are other sources of second-hand cruising yachts in the Caribbean, one of which is the yacht charter companies.

These companies update their fleets from time to time, selling off the older models.

Horizon Yacht Charters have bases on several of the Eastern Caribbean islands, and would be a good place to start looking.

Charter boats are generally optimised to maximise accommodation for fare-paying clients and, whilst being quite acceptable for Caribbean island-hopping, may not make ideal long-distance cruising boats.

Why Should I Buy a Used Sailboat in the Caribbean?

After all, it's a long way to go to look at one, and there's likely to be a lot more to choose from closer to home, but...

• Perhaps you've got time for some extended cruising in the Caribbean but are not very enthusiastic about tackling the long ocean passage necessary to get there, or

• You're looking for a bargain. Sometimes, but not always, the owner of a boat in the Caribbean has had enough sailing and is keen to sell. Maybe he hasn't got the time to sail her back home, or doesn't want to pay someone else to do it for him. That puts you in a strong negotiating position.

• You've been looking for a particular boat for a while now - and here it is!

Getting Her Surveyed

You've found a boat that looks ideal - it's time for a deep and meaningful conversation with the owner, after which you've got a decision to make. Do you...

• Walk away?

• Make an offer subject to survey?

• Go and take a look at her yourself before walking away or making an offer subject to survey?

• Get her surveyed before deciding whether to walk away or take a look at her yourself?

Here's what I would do, assuming I hadn't decided to walk away...

1. Ask at least two local professional yacht surveyors to quote for a full survey, and
2. Make an assessment of the transport and accommodation costs involved in visiting the boat.

If the cost of (1.) is relatively low compared with the cost of the survey I'd download a copy of Andrew Simpson's 'Secrets of Secondhand Boats' and, armed with this most valuable assistant, go and assess her myself before deciding whether to walk away or appoint a yacht surveyor.

If the cost of (2.) is relatively low compared with the cost of making the trip I'd appoint the yacht surveyor. His report would enable me to decide whether to walk away or, after visiting the vessel, make an offer.