Salute to the Older Boat – Part 2
A 1999 Cobalt 293 for 45K Looks great – it might be a real bargain! Get it checked and enjoy.
February 26, 2026
In Part 1, last issue, we visited the reality that previously loved boats have a big role in the boating world and especially in expanding it. Especially in the sail sector, new keelboat sales are very small numbers.
Here’s why: at random on a listing site in Whitby ON, a Cruisers 2870 is 40K. Yes, 25 years old but it looks perky. A new comparable boat maybe 150-175 or more. That leaves a lot of room in the bank account – which we will discuss in a minute. Sail is more dramatic – a good 40 year old Shark24 might be 10K. You can enjoy it, even race it and win for that price. They aren’t built here any longer but you can source a shiny but essentially identical 2026 model from Germany for 30-40,000 Euros! That’s a significant incentive to purchase the used boat.
There is money in the equation to ensure that your boat is sound and you should spend it to be certain. Fibreglass hulls last but as a surveyor recently pointed out to me, lots can go wrong and it should be repaired. Through-hulls deteriorate. Engines need service, even rebuilding – so do that and bring the boat back to seaworthy. It’s still a whale of a deal!
There are two problems that the boating world will have to attend to asap: Number one, there isn’t nearly enough service and repair capability. Finding someone to fix your boat means going through the back pages, asking every friend and hoping you’ll find the right trades. We need more techs and facilities to keep the fleet alive.
Problem two is the fibreglass that makes old boats act new. It’s lasts virtually forever and already a nightmare in parts of Florida, where boats are abandoned randomly. When older boats do eventually reach end of life after many owners, how do we dispose of these indestructible hulls.
We welcome your thoughts;
John C Morris
