How to choose the right pre-owned sailboat for your needs

Buying a pre-owned sailboat in Polynesia offers many advantages, not least in terms of value for money adapted to the region. A new sailboat will depreciate significantly during its first few years on the water. On the other hand, a used sailboat in Polynesia, acquired through a local dealer, retains its purchase value better.
A pre-owned sailboat is already equipped with many additional features essential for sailing in this specific zone. We’re talking here about advanced electronic systems adapted to the local marine environment, spare sails or interior fittings designed for comfort in tropical seas. These additions, already present on board, can represent a considerable saving compared to a separate purchase.
Another major advantage of a pre-owned sailboat in Polynesia is its immediate availability. In fact, a pre-owned yacht is ready to sail as soon as you buy it, allowing you to quickly enjoy the crystal-clear waters and breathtaking scenery of Polynesia, without the delays often associated with the purchase of a new yacht.

Before setting sail on one of our pre-owned sailing yachts available in Tahiti, start by defining your expectations and needs: are you planning to cruise the idyllic waters of Polynesia for a few days, or to explore the magnificent archipelagos for a sabbatical year or more?

• How many people will you usually have on board, and how many occasional guests? Your choice will influence not only the length of the yacht and the number of cabins required, but also the type of sails and electrical and electronic equipment needed.
• How experienced are you? What are your family’s wishes? A shallow draft allows access to n other anchorages, typically in the Society and Tuamotus archipelagos. On the other hand, a deep keel guarantees better upwind sailing, which will be very useful when sailing to the Marquesas Islands, 1000 miles northeast of Tahiti, where the anchorages are deep anyway. A slender, powerful rig performs better, but requires faster reefing, and therefore generates more fatigue during long-distance sailing…

As you explore our selection of monohulls and catamarans in Polynesia, there are several criteria you need to take into account to find your way around the pre-owned yacht market.

• The boat’s year of manufacture is the first indicator to consult. An older boat is attractive in terms of price, but it’s vital to check its condition and identify any equipment that needs replacing. As explained above, maintenance costs will be higher.
• The make and model of your pre-owned sailboat are at the heart of your decision. Renowned brands such as Hallberg Rassy or Amel, available from Sail Tahiti, guarantee a premium level of finish and robustness essential for long sea voyages.
• Aluminum sailboats are safer in the event of impact, but their upwind performance when used as dinghies is not as good.
• Popular brands such as Beneteau, Jeanneau and Dufour offer particularly well-designed yachts for tropical cruising, with good natural ventilation, a large cockpit, bright cabins…
• Each boat, whether an Oceanis or a Sun Odyssey, has its own characteristics, assets and uniqueness. Get informed, compare, consider length, overall condition and electronic equipment before committing yourself.
• The boat’s general condition is the most important criterion. A solid hull, sails in good condition, operational electronics and a high-performance engine are all points to be carefully inspected.
• A well-maintained boat with a clear maintenance history is ideal for Polynesian adventures. The program carried out by the boat over the last few years, the condition of the sails and the maintenance performed provide a clear picture of the overall condition of the yacht.

Defining your budget is just as important. Beyond the purchase price, it’s best to consider the annual costs and budget available for your program:

• What will be the discount between purchase and resale? On this point, an older boat will probably depreciate less quickly, provided you paid a fair price in the first place.
• How long will it take to resell? A recent yacht sells faster, but every month you wait incurs costs that must be factored into your overall budget.
• What will your maintenance costs be? The older the used yacht, the higher the recurring costs as the equipment ages.
• What exceptional expenses should you plan for? Replacing the rigging, certain sails, cosmetic repairs, changing the engine?
• What additional equipment should be installed? Solar panels, watermaker, lithium batteries, etc…
• Helping you put a precise figure on these points is part of the exclusive service offered by a dealer like Sail Tahiti.
• For your part, you need to put a figure on your budget for living aboard. The months spent exploring the Tuamotus will cost you next to nothing, while the time spent in the marina preparing the boat will be more expensive. Don’t forget the leisure aspect: restaurants, kitesurfing lessons, scuba diving…

Our aim is to help you make your dream come true!

Buying a pre-owned sailboat in Polynesia is a significant commitment. A thorough examination of the boat guarantees the reliability of your future sailboat.
During the purchasing process, we advise you to call in an independent marine surveyor. You entrust him/her with the task of testing all the boat’s equipment, checking the structure, rigging, sails and engine. His role is not to assess the boat’s financial value, but to detect any technical weaknesses so that you can conclude the purchase at the right price and with a clear vision of the maintenance you’ll need to carry out.
Several aspects deserve particular attention. The condition of the sails, the sturdiness of the hull and the performance of the electronic equipment all need to be examined with a fine-tooth comb. The engine, particularly important for sailing between Polynesian atolls sometimes several hundred miles apart, and especially for entering the passes, requires a detailed check-up by an expert to ensure its longevity and efficiency in this unique context.

The hull inspection takes place out of the water, at one of the shipyards in Polynesia. The expert ensures that the hull is neither damaged nor too damp, and that there is no osmosis. He checks the operation of the propeller, the rudder and the solidity of the keel.
The sea trial is also a key moment. Its purpose is to assess the boat’s handling in real-life conditions, the condition of the sails, the operation of the autopilot and all electronic repeaters, and of course the engine.
At the end of the survey, you’ll have a few days to decide whether to conclude your purchase, renegotiate certain points if the survey has revealed the need to replace equipment, or even give up and look for another boat if there are too many negative points. This is rarely the case if we have established a clear and exhaustive dialogue beforehand, but the survey is there to protect you.

Buying a used sailboat in Polynesia is an exciting adventure, but not without its challenges. Here are a few pitfalls to avoid to ensure an enlightened purchase.

• Beware of seductive ads. A surprisingly low price for a boat from a well-known brand such as Beneteau or Bavaria should arouse your vigilance. To avoid the risks associated with private sales, we recommend that you use the services of our experienced dealers. Before putting a sailboat up for sale, we study its operating condition with the support of our technicians, paying particular attention to the condition of the hull, sails and electronic equipment, essential in local maritime conditions.
• Before putting a boat up for sale at Sail Tahiti, we analyze the market to offer it at a fair price.
• There’s no need to rush. Compare boats. Visit them and make up your own mind by renting a few models. Each model and year has its own characteristics, which can be particularly important in Polynesian waters. Keep this in mind!
• The yacht’s history is a key element. Discard boats without a clearly documented history. Boats with no maintenance history or that have required extensive restoration may hide problems specific to local challenges.
• Make sure the sailboat you choose perfectly meets your needs and criteria. An impulsive choice can lead to regrets, especially when sailing in this unique region.
  If you want to refine your ideas before you buy, why not start by chartering for a few weeks’ cruising in Polynesia with our charter offer?