Hello, as you might recall from my other recent posts, my wife and I are shopping for a boat that we'll ultimately keep up in the Pacific NW as a summer liveaboard. We've identified a PM 65 as a good candidate; not too big that a couple can't handle it, but still big enough that we and our family / guests will feel comfortable being on-board for many days at a time. Attached (hopefully) is a list that I compiled of PM 65s currently for sale. The Cat 3406E is appealing, so we're focused a bit on the 2000-2003 models. All these prices are reasonable and within budget, but the outlier is clearly the boat SUMMER WIND, currently located in the Dominican Republic. Does anyone know this boat and what might be behind this drastically lower price? More than simply the undesirable location? I'm thinking if we could get her in the low $400s, plus maybe $50-75k to have her moved up to Vancouver, that we'd be left with a nice budget for whatever updates/upgrades we'd like (and I'd expect that any ~20 year old boat will need some work). She also has a few differentiating features like twin anchors, a custom upstairs day head, etc. As always, I'm happy to listen to anyone's opinions, either on this particular brand/model or this specific hull. Thank you, Bryan
I have run a lot of yacht out of Central American, Dominican Republic, and the Caribbean. You have several reasons for the lower sale price and it is common with all. If an owner has a good boat, they will bring it to the U.S. to sell. Used boats simply don't sell in those places. A. People are afraid of making the deal and having the asset in a foreign third world country. One boat dealer had a Captain fly down before the actual closing to be on the boat when it closed and wait for the additional crew so it could leave. Plus the cost to get it back. AND, it has to be very sea-worthy to even get it back. You have long legs of nothing but open ocean and no tow boats or anything like that. B. The climate is very harsh due to the salt exposure in most marina's in those places (just off of the ocean), and the sun intensity and heat being close to the equator. Gel coat/paint, cushions, canvas, interior wood work........etc. lasts less. C. The most important aspect. They are very good at cleaning in those locations (engine room, exterior, interior) and always have full time crews. I would not be surprised if that boat has had a full time Captain and mate since new. BUT, they don't know how to fix anything that breaks. So aside from engines, generator, and steering, generally you'll find many systems that are broken, island engineered to work, or any matter of stuff. Basically if anything remotely complex electrical fails....even simle stuff.......like a holding tank gauge.....it stays broken......At that boat's age, you're going to have pages of deficiencies on a survey from a boat down there, generally. NOW, if you can fix many of those items, then it may be a deal for you, but you need to fly down and inspect it. As for the boat, it's a very well built boat and a good sea boat and built by Westport.
I like Pacific Mariners also. Don't turn up on the DD/MTU Series 60. A workhorse of an engine. There were a few early bugs with hang on equipment that was updated and fixed. The engine is bomb proof.
Wow, great perspectives and information! I probably initially underestimated the hassles associated with buying in a remote location, flying surveyors in/out, likely a long fix-it list, hiring a captain/crew to get the boat up to Florida or Panama for pick-up, potential damage during loading/unloading on a transport, etc. Might well not be worth it... thank you!
Good, thanks. I get confused about MTUs and which are solid, so this is good to know. I guess the other reason to focus on the Cat boats above is that one MTU is in WI and the other to in FL. Would be a lot easier to just buy a boat already in Seattle. Cheers, Bryan
Well, if you're interested in mine, I'd be happy to discuss it with you and show you my most recent survey done this month. But, you should really talk to our broker since he has represented ours since it was sold new. M/Y Travis McGee
This is an extremely nice offer, thank you. I had already viewed your listing and am very impressed by your boat and all the upgrades. The only concern in my mind is that you and I are on opposite coasts... certainly not either's fault. : ) I think we'll focus on US West Coast boats for the time being, but.... who knows... Cheers, Bryan
I wouldn't worry about the shipping part. You don't want to ship out of Panama, it just will not happen. It's not a normal stop, the port on the Atlantic side is expensive to load, and they'll book it and then drop the shipment 3 months later, just like they did with my customer. So it's either run it through the Canal and load in Gulfito, Costa Rica, or Fort Lauderdale, FL. It could be a stellar deal. I don't know how boat savvy you are, but flights to DR are relatively cheap (when this virus subsides), if you're extremely knowledgable, go down, look at the boat extensively, and test all of the systems, or bring a good Captain that can, then make an offer and survey it. It's already a very good deal, IF it's in decent condition. Could always tell the broker, you want to see it. Also how much extra for you to have his crew take the boat out with you for the day, and run it at cruise for a few hours, and test the systems, and you'll also pay for fuel. Worse comes to worse the boat is a dog, but you got to see a beautiful part of the Caribbean for a day or two. I wouldn't worry about the shipping part of the boat......I've done close to 1,000 freighter loadings/unloadings. It's very rare one gets damaged at all.
Wow, this is all great advice, thank you! I might need to tap more into your experience here... as you say, once things return a bit more to normal... Bryan
I found out that SUMMER WIND had sold a while back. Apparently all the various boat websites aren't good about taking sold boats off. I should have checked with the listing dealer before wasting everyone's time. Nonetheless, I appreciate the tips and insights into the pros and cons of buying an "island" boat. Just as well... every time I looked at this boat I'd get the song Summer Breeze (Seals and Croft) stuck in my head for half an hour... ;-)
