Sailing Journey: Buying a Boat in New York

The sailing journey continues with this chapter landing in New York and ready to buy a bigger boat…

Why fly from Australia to New York to buy a boat?

Starting the research in 2005 for a sailing boat design and viewing a plethora of boats in the flesh, we decide on the American-built Catalina C400.

The only problem is that there’s only a couple in Australia and the price range is ridiculously expensive.

Looking at the overseas market proves better value-for-money with a much greater selection. By the close of 2007, our home-built boat Naiad is on the market to sell. And, we’re ready to fly to the US in early 2008 to buy a bigger boat.

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Landing in New York, USA

Landing in the US and clearing customs is always nerve-wracking. Especially late in the evening, but manage to get through without too many hassles and arrive at the gorgeous old-world Hotel 17 in Manhattan.

Need to relax for a couple of days before making our presence known to all of the previously contacted boat brokers. Take in a little sightseeing and walk for over 7 hours today…

Traipse all over Manhattan to Ground Zero, Empire State Building, and Central Park as it will be stressful from now on.

The fabulous Andy Warhol exhibition at MoMA is definitely worth a look.

Winter

Thought I’d just mention that today is -9.4°C and even colder yesterday. Apparently, the temperature at the moment is well below the average for this time of year. Great.

Moved from the Bronx to a hotel in Jamaica (Queens) as Manhattan is too expensive and also closer to see a couple of boats – luckily, we escaped today’s snow in New York State. Foot-long icicles hang precariously from the Subway overpass and yesterday, ice graced the roads in Times Square.

Awoken at midnight’ish to the sounds of shotguns and sirens in front of our hotel window. Welcome to Queens!

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Making the broker rounds

Arriving in the US in the winter under January’s bleak snowy weather, who buys a boat during the winter?

Contacting the 8 confirmed brokers, incredulously, advised that the boats we confirmed to see are in storage. In dry-dock this time of year and can’t be viewed. The brokers changed their story.

Why no one advised us of this during the plethora of emails back and forth before leaving Australia, is still a mystery. I can only think that the brokers didn’t believe buyers would fly from Australia during a US-winter to buy a boat. Seriously? Stressful, angry, and stronger words come to mind.

Against a wall

The 8 boats we lined up are reduced to only 3 available to inspect as one boat also sold. The other seems too worn with loads of engine hours.

Brokers aren’t keen to show us boats. You’d think it wasn’t their bread and butter! Only see 2 boats in 13 days of landing in the US – not great.

The boats for sale have been on the market for years but owners are not budging on their asking price either.

Disappointed, we check out the third boat. We’ve come a long way and not interested in listening to lies from salesmen. Hotel costs are mounting and the pressure is on, as I only have 2 months left on my 3-month visa.

If tomorrow’s boat isn’t any good then there’s one in California and another in Montreal, but we’re reluctant to travel so far from New York.

A decision

After almost one month in the US, we’ve only seen a total of 3 boats including a 47′ Catalina at Coneys Marine in Huntington, Long Island.

Success. We decide on Reality.

A Catalina C470′, 2-berth, large Saloon, 2 Heads with showers, wing keel, twin helm, Sloop – complete with 3 air-conditioners. Never known a cruising boat to have an air-conditioner, let alone three!

Sorry, not many photos to share but come take a look inside anyway…

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Reality is hauled out with its mast removed and living on land.

Remember in Australia we researched a Catalina 40′ only? Of course, the Catalina 47′ is more expensive but worth the extra room and features. Including a collision bulkhead, Reality is a very comfortable and a beautiful sleek boat.

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Huntington, Long Island

With heavy backpacks and gear, we move again lugging everything to Huntington by train then bus.

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The new boat

Reality lived on the land for the past 18-months. And in her previous life, only going on short sailing passages or racing, so need to make sure everything is working.

It’s just like buying a second-hand car. The only difference is that you can’t sink a car.

Reality’s Survey

The first viewing of Reality is when she’s hauled out so it’s easier for a surveyor to check her over.

Hiring an excellent boat surveyor, Reality is checked through and tested from top to bottom, several times over.

Irwin the surveyor – coincidently with our same surname – is extremely thorough checking above and beyond a surveyor’s responsibilities. And, think this is because Irwin also owns a boat. But, also knows the long-term plan involves sailing to Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, down the Caribbean Sea to the Netherlands Antilles, Venezuela, then eventually across the South Pacific back to Australia. Irwin wants to ensure the boat is safe for such a long voyage.

As luck would have it, we couldn’t have picked a better surveyor and worth every dollar. Too often in the boating community, you hear of many horror stories about dodgy surveyors. Buyers discovering too late when something breaks down or worse, discover a hole in their boat soon after purchasing.

The commission

It’s as if Reality was waiting for a new owner to come along and set her free, from the confines and restraining taproots of the land’s long tentacles.

Boats are made for the water, not land.

Launched safely in the water, the engine bellows huge clouds of black smoke but this clears after an hour, and she runs like a charm. Shortly after, Long Island receives heavy snowfall.

Throwing in a few photos of the mean machine in case you’re interested…

A commission to test Reality results in the owner needing to fix the engine and generator.

A done deal

Money is transferred from our Australian bank with several hick-ups. Of course, banks don’t enjoy returning your money, especially large sums.

Shaking hands, we’re now Reality’s new owners. Both scary and very exciting. 

We’re almost 9,000 nautical miles from Australia. That’s 9,950 miles. Over 16,000 kilometres.

A long way from home!

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What now?

Time to haul out and pack up Reality to crane onto the truck. A long road journey of over 2,121 kilometres (1,318 miles) to Miami, southern Florida awaits Reality.

Why?

Because Miami, is where we’re fitting her out for blue water sailing.

The work and stress are just beginning, but at least we own a boat. Meanwhile, time is ticking on my 3-month visa…

Visit Nilla’s Photography for more global images. More posts at Image Earth Travel.