Finding Used Sailboats for Sale in the Caribbean

Where would you seek them out, and why would you want to look for a used sailboats for sale all the way down in the Caribbean anyway?

The first part of the question is easy to answer - right here! We're not a broker so we seek no commission, nor do we make a charge for placing the ads. We only allow ads from the owners themselves - or occasionally from their appointed brokers - 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.

A Selection of Used Sailboats for Sale in the Caribbean

'EmJay', a Catalina 380

Location: Grenada, West Indies

Asking Price: £51,605

'Bijou', a Hylas 46 

Location: Panama

Asking Price: $397,500

'Windward', a Tayana 48 DS 

Location: Grenada, West Indies

Asking Price: $390,000

'Harvester 1', a Harmony 42 

Location: Grenada West Indies

Asking Price: $79,000

'Alkoomi', a Hunter 466 

Location: Grenada West Indies

Asking Price: $149,000

'Galileo', a Jaguar 36 catamaran

Location: Grenada West Indies

Asking Price: $150,000

'Soul Venture', a Hunter Passage 42

Location: Grenada West Indies

Asking Price: $69,000

'Coco Rose', a Fountaine Pajot Lipari 41

Location: Grenada, West Indies

Asking Price: $345,000

'Petrel Blue', a Westerly Oceanranger 38

Location: Grenada, West Indies

Asking Price: $38,588

'Wind's Way', a Hardin Seawolf 40

Location: Martinique, French West Indies

Asking Price: $66,000

'BlueJacket', a Freedom 40/40

Location: Belize, Central America

Asking Price: $150,000  $134,900

'Cabo Frio', a Catalina Morgan 43

Location: Grenada, West Indies.

Asking Price: $65,000

'Hitchcock', an RM1260

Location: Grenada, West Indies.

Asking Price: €209,000

'Venture', a Bristol 40

Location: Grenada, West Indies.

Asking Price: $46,000$36,000

'Live the Dash', a Morgan Out Island 37

Location: St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Asking Price: $36,900$33,900

'Pompoen', a Hans Christian 34

Location: Trinidad, West Indies

Asking Price: $42,000

'Wanuskewin', a Catalina 42 MkII 

Location: Lucaya, Grand Bahama

Asking Price: $105,000

'Just Friends', a Hunter 376

Location: Puerto Rico, West Indies

Asking Price: $70,000

'Anna', a Bavaria 390 sailboat at anchor'Anna'

'Anna', a Bavaria 390

Location: Trinidad, West Indies

Asking Price: $35,000 now $28,000

more 'Anna' pics, info and owner's contact details...

'Untethered Soul', a Vagabond 47

Location: Fajardo, Puerto Rico

Asking Price: $162,000 $96,000

'Freja', a Voyager 35 Sailboat'Freja'

'Freja', a Voyager 35

Location: Martinique, French West Indies

Asking Price: €35,000

more 'Freja' pics, info and owner's contact details...

IP 350, GoLightly, THUMB'Golightly'

'Golightly', an Island Packet 350

Location: Martinique, French West Indies

Asking Price: $88,000

more 'Golightly' pics and info...

'Music II', a Morgan 41 Classic

Location: Grenada, West Indies

Asking Price: $97,500

'Maia', a Moody 376

Location: Martinique, French West Indies

Asking Price: €70,000

'Svea av Valleviken', an Overseas 35

Location: Grenada, West Indies

Asking Price: €89,000


'Vite & Rêves', a Catana 401 for sale'Vite & Rêves'

'Vite & Rêves', a Catana 401

Location: Grenada, West Indies

Asking Price: €198,000


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