EP 1 - How we got a $3500 Sailboat / Looking to buy a Boat

This video shows the beginning of everything. This is when we went out looking for sailboats to buy. I'll take you on some walk-thru's of boats with different layouts and tell you how we got our sailboat for $3500.
BRIEF and sometimes shaky walk-thrus of...
Irwin 37
Talisman 37
Tartan 34
Morgan Nelson Merek 45
Baltic 37
Catalina 36
Catalina 30 (my boat named Stoked)
SUBSCRIBE HERE:
/ @sailingsole
FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM:
/ sailingsole

[@Evanthebat15]

Thank you for showing us the different type of boats, most of them made me feel too claustrophobic which helped me realize I need one with a big bedroom (by that I mean one where I can at least walk around the bed).

[@sailingsole]

Then look for CENTER COCKPIT sailboats. Most of those 35’ long and longer will have a nice size aft cabin. 👍🏼

[@mwmentor]

Interesting journey to ownership... wonder what happened to the handyman - must have gotten busy elsewhere... weird!! It's a nice boat and an amazing price - enjoy it and I am looking forward to being part of your journey as you share your videos... good luck! 👍🙂

[@sailingsole]

Thanks for watching. I am genuinely shocked and pleased that people seem to like the videos so far. To be completely honest; I complained about some of his work so he probably thought I was going to be a nightmare client and wrote me off. Lol. That’s just my guess. I don’t know. Thanks again for watching and I’m editing the next video as we speak… 👍🏼⛵️

[@johndavidson6867]

Nice to see you progress through the different boats, and your thoughts on each. When starting out new like you were, you need to see a verity of styles to realize what you are actually looking for.. Looking forward to seeing you bring her up to speed, looking like you want her to be.

[@sailingsole]

Stay tuned, I’ve filmed everything so far. 👍🏼

[@RickGarzaGuitar]

Great video, fun to see the process of looking for a boat. Hope to see a follow up video with what you have done with it.

[@sailingsole]

Thanks I have a bunch of refit footage that I’ll be making videos of.

[@briansmythe3000]

Thanks for taking us along and sharing your Wisdom and knolage

[@sailingsole]

Thanks for watching Brian ⛵️

[@tucklynniebinsadventures]

That is so cool I bought a Catalina 30 last week in Shoreline marina.

[@sailingsole]

Right on that’s awesome. Congrats!

[@damage_control_sailing]

Very nice video. I really appreciate your grit and courage. We went through pretty similar experiences in our boat searches. You have a new subscriber and I can’t wait to see you guys out there enjoying it to the max! Sput -Damage Control Sailing

[@sailingsole]

Right on DCS! Thanks for the encouragement and Happy Holiday’s!

[@mariuszkijowski2180]

Great video. I was enjoying your tours. And congrats for scoring this Catalina 30 :)

[@sailingsole]

Thanks Marius! My boat neighbor at the marina is named Marius 😂⛵️

[@murphmurph2124]

Have you heard of the Catalina smile? Don't wanna lose your keel. Might wanna check for it.

[@sailingsole]

Yep, I’ve heard of it. Checked for it in the shipyard when we got bottom paint and I’m not worried about it but good looking out! Thanks!

[@rvierra7235]

Bruno sounds like a real class act.

[@sailingsole]

😂🤙🏼

[@ralph6115]

Nice video, good music! Looking forward to your first and further steps towards boatlife.

[@sailingsole]

Thanks Ralph!

[@ivojara]

To get rid of smells, put plastic bags on the floor (inside) and open several bags of charcoal inside for a couple of months. It works like a charm.

[@sailingsole]

I use my boat every weekend. How can I leave charcoal on plastic bags on the floor for a couple months?

[@ivojara]

@@sailingsole Well, I don´t know if it will work if you do it for a short period, maybe you could try for a week or maybe skip a weekend and do it for 2 weeks. I thought you had an "off season". Anyway, it's cheap to try ;)

[@azhiaziamnohiah897]

NEW SUBSCRIBER AND SAILER FROM DIAPERS! Love the drive and ambition... me and the family are planning the same! We're here for the long haul brother, FAIR WINDS, HOLD FAST SAILOR!

[@sailingsole]

Thank you very much. Fair winds and following seas to you!

[@g7eit]

Great video, very interesting. Love the Catalina 36. That’s the boat I want. I’m subscribing right now.

[@sailingsole]

Right on, I agree that’s a great boat. I like the C36 mkII 👍🏼

[@markbailey6051]

Welcome to the club. I think you will go far and wide!

[@sailingsole]

Thank you Mark. Sometimes I do wonder how far she could take us!

[@Sommers234]

Congratulations, terrific job! I'd be very interested to get a good look at the whole and the proper trusted survey. I agree about the music being a bit annoying and too loud. You're off to a great start wishing you all the best on board your new baby. Take some experienced people out with you and enjoy!

[@sailingsole]

Thanks for watching Andy. I really appreciate your kind comment and I’ll keep an eye on the music volume 😂. More fun stuff coming soon. Cheers!

[@sailortayfun]

Thanks for the nice video. I am waiting for the next video .

[@sailingsole]

Thanks for watching. I’ll be putting out videos every week or two. Cheers!

[@patrickfalter4487]

Congrats, I just bought a seafarer 26 as a pocket cruiser on the great lakes with almost zero experience myself, good luck to you

[@sailingsole]

Ya man! Just go for it, take it serious and safe and you’ll be just fine. Congrats on the boat!!!

[@Shepherdservices317]

Cat 30 for 3500 is awesome man. I've been thinking of coming to socal to live on a boat and work, refit then sail to SE Asia. Either that buy in great lakes or NE, sail down the east coast to the Caribbean . Torn between the 2. I want to experience the west coast

[@sailingsole]

Thanks, ya I was in the right place at the right time. It’s all about getting out there and meeting and talking to people about boats. Good deals are out there you just gotta be patient and find them. SE Asia, wow that’s a big jump for me but would be a trip of a lifetime. Good luck and again, don’t wait too long or life will speed by. Good luck to you!

[@rafaeldacruz4898]

Glad you started the channel and looking forward to more videos It only makes me want to get a boat more and more

[@sailingsole]

Thank you. Ya people think it’s super expensive; while it can be expensive it can also be affordable. I’m already editing the next one 😁. Cheers!

[@rafaeldacruz4898]

I imagine you had a slip lined up before making an offer on the boat. If you could, it would’ve nice to see a video explaining the process

[@sailingsole]

@@rafaeldacruz4898 No, I actually didn’t but that’s a good point. I can make a short follow up video on what I know about getting a slip at Shoreline.

[@crforfreedom7407]

@@sailingsole Congrats on the CAT30! NOW the $$$ SPENDING can BEGIN!! I used to be into Jeeps and thought the old adage about jeeps were true (Just Empty Every Pocket), but it PALES in comparison to the money I've spent sailing! Sounds like you'll do most your own work and that save HUGE $$$$!!! That's a must unless you're rich or just like impoverishing yourself! For me, I like the work as much as sailing. I haven't owned or worked on a boat in awhile due to health issues, so it's good to see you get out there before the dream becomes physically impossible and all the $$ in the world can't save you. Very well done! I'm so happy for you!!! Me and my spirit will go with you my friend!

[@sailingsole]

@@crforfreedom7407 Thank you for such a sincere comment. You nailed it… I got a good deal but I have certainly put a lot of money into the refit process (like a Jeep). Yes, I do 99% of the work on the boat, I too enjoy it, it’s therapeutic. As for age and health; I woke up one day realizing if I don’t do it then I never will and my chance will pass me by so I did it and I’ve enjoyed it ever since. Thank you for watching and wishing you all the best! Cheers! - Andy

[@kevinjones5246]

Watching from Ottawa Canada, great stuff!

[@sailingsole]

Right on man. Thanks for watching.

[@tim6385]

great boat, great deal, good luck!

[@sailingsole]

Thanks Tim 👊🏼

[@johnbolongo9978]

Fair deal....nicely done.

[@sailingsole]

Thanks John. I love my boat 😍

[@german9850]

you are an inspiration thank you for sharing!

[@sailingsole]

Thank you German. You made my day! Cheers!

[@saylaveenadmearedead]

Congratulations on a good deal starter boat! I get the feeling from your choice of music that buying this vessel was a bit surreal.... fair winds!!!

[@sailingsole]

Yes sir. I never thought I could own a sailboat. I thought it was only for the rich. I’m on cloud nine! Thanks for watching.

[@keviebabyx5433]

Very cool best of luck!

[@sailingsole]

Thanks! 😁

[@briandale8386]

If that Catalina 36 had the upgraded motor , I think a m50 and upgraded taller mast from the factory and a swing keel . That wouldve been a good one

[@sailingsole]

I agree but Catalina doesn’t make a swing keel do they?

[@miker7808]

I dig the opening tunes.

[@sailingsole]

🤙🏼 Thanks Mike!

[@achristianson4059]

That looks like bob who’s showing you the Catalina 36… he showed me a catalina38 last weekend. Good dude.

[@sailingsole]

Haha that’s cool. Ya he was a nice guy.

[@andrewweiss3026]

Hombre le saludo desde Uruguay,que buen arreglo hizo para la obtencion de su barco, espero cuando pueda ir por mi busqueda correr con la misma suerte, yo vivo enamorado del catalina 29 o 30 peroacepto que hizo una excelente compra y eleccion.

[@sailingsole]

Thanks Andrew! I wish you luck finding your Catalina 29 or 30! When you find it let me know. Cheers!

[@dwayneramirez2370]

Very educational video, especially for those who are in the process of jumping into the sailing lifestyle like me with no sailing experience at all. This video open my eyes and mind to all the possibilities of searching for a sailboat. I look forward to watching your future videos very much. Don’t know if you will be interested in starting a Patreon community, if you do I will gladly pay for the lesson learned and all the fun. Thank you for sharing. Fear winds mate 🤙🏾

[@sailingsole]

Thank Dwayne. I’m stoked you enjoyed the videos so far. It’s been real fun for me too to chat with you guys. As for Patreon; you’re not the first person to offer to support the channel. I’m trying to figure that stuff out. As of now, I’m just trying to share my journey and keep it fun. Get out there and look at boats, it’s free and fun with no commitments. Thanks again for watching! Cheers!

[@InMyBrz]

Nelson Merrick 45 / MORGAN 45 is a nice fast racing boat BUT they had KEEL problems THAT solid metal mast rigging is called ROD RIGGING WELCOME to sailing ! CATALINA 30 is a good boat to learn from BIGGEST EXPENSE is the damn slip rent !

[@sailingsole]

Thanks! I’m loving it! Cheers!

[@mrchilled85]

just wanted to say you got a lovely boat for the money in the end. i have a westerly 33 tho i have been around boats all my live my wife had not done any type of boating so wanted something she can handle as well so wanted to go for that sweet spot of size boat for her

[@sailingsole]

Thanks Ben. Where are you from and how much do Catalina 30’s sell for where you live? Just curious. I like those Westerly’s, nice boats!

[@mrchilled85]

@@sailingsole im from england and just looked up there is not one catalina 30 for sale over here right now tho looking one sold last year for 29000 gbp so around 33k usd so around the same price as my westerly tho i have to say looking at sailboats for sale in america they are so much cheaper then over here

[@sailingsole]

@@mrchilled85 crazy. Thanks for letting me know. Cheers!

[@mrchilled85]

@@sailingsole your welcome

[@losdiazdekelvyn8267]

Amazing i like 🎉

[@sailingsole]

Thanks for watching 🤙🏼

[@waltobringer2928]

Thanks!

[@sailingsole]

👍🏼

[@24hourtravellers]

If the guy disappeared how did you close the sale? Deregulation and Registration etc

[@sailingsole]

All the paperwork and DMV was already completed with the registered owner so I was just dealing with the handyman at that point. Basically it was already in my name but not completely paid for yet.

[@mr.cooker4101]

I MADMAN!!!

[@benkanobe7500]

For reference, what were they asking for the basketcase motored Catalina 36?

[@sailingsole]

They were asking $25k but I was told if I offered $15k they might take it. I’ll address your other questions later. Cheers!

[@tr7b410]

You could be the brother of Nicky Hernandez the lead singer for the SKA band Common Sense,a Laguna beach California group.

[@sailingsole]

Hahaha that’s funny. I know the band but I don’t know what he looks like. I’ll check it out.

[@williamwoolcock]

Were there lots of boats for sale during Covid? Good starter boat!

[@sailingsole]

I guess there were. There are always a lot of boats for sale it’s just a matter of finding one in your budget that meets what you need.

[@jud2820]

REally great video, although it is 1yr after you recorded it. How is the boat after 1yr, or have you sold it?

[@sailingsole]

It’s actually longer since I recorded it. I didn’t edit that video until I already had the boat for around 2 years. I’ve had the boat for ~3.5 years now and I still have ole “Stoked”. I sail her regularly with many more adventures planned ahead.

[@vincentconnolly2597]

FLORIDA 🏖️⛱️💯

[@sailingsole]

CALI 🏝 ⛵️

[@seanocarolan359]

Good job dude. Wanna do this at some stage.

[@sailingsole]

Thanks Sean. Do it! It’s been a fun journey so far. 🤙🏼

[@spawnrcandbikes]

wow great deal....crazy that u can get a working boat for the price of a mtn bike...lol.....my bike cost $5500 hehe

[@sailingsole]

I know right. It’s all about what you’re into and how high end you want to go. I’m sure there are even more expensive bikes than yours and even cheaper boats than mine.

[@everlastingrhetoric8921]

Subscribed 👍

[@sailingsole]

Right on! Thanks! 👍🏼

[@DineroyvidaenLA]

Nice video, just wondering between slip fees and other costs, what is the average costs ? Thank you

[@sailingsole]

Thanks for watching. Average cost of what? Slip fees are based on boat length and location. You need to call each marina for their fees. They’re all different. Cheers!

[@DineroyvidaenLA]

@@sailingsole like on your boat situation

[@sailingsole]

@@DineroyvidaenLA I’ve had my boat for a little less than 3 years now and I don’t exactly but I’d say I have around $20k into it by now plus marina monthly fees. My boat is pretty turnkey now and ready for any adventure I am brave enough to take her on but there’s ALWAYS MORE MORE MORE to do, fix and spend on a boat. ALWAYS. That’s why they say BOAT stands for Break Out Another Thousand 😂

[@keeldragger]

Probably the same guy I tried to have do some work on my Dana 24 when I had it at Dana point... ghosted me.

[@sailingsole]

I watched your Dana Point to Ensenada last night! 🤘🏼 You’ve already done all the trips I want to do 😂

[@keeldragger]

@@sailingsole I have hit most points between Catalina and Ensenada that I want to hit. San clemente Island is high on the list. Also more time up north in the channel islands.

[@sailingsole]

@@keeldragger That’s rad. Well if you don’t mind I know who to ask advice from. 😂 I’m trying to get out as much as I can. Time is my nemesis!

[@danielkg1296]

⛵️

[@sailingsole]

👊🏼

[@scottmarkham9466]

Do you sell boats ? I have a Sea Eagle SE-9 inflatable boat with an inflatable floor and seats. It includes custom carpeted plywood floor with a 55lb thrust Minn Kota trolling motor with motor mount,paddles, life vests,anchor and line, 2 mooring lines and 10 foot battery cables for only$600.00

[@sailingsole]

I don’t sell boats

[@wow.sailor.]

WOW Sailor, 👍

[@sailingsole]

🤘🏼

[@mara1982cz]

What is plan now? I like see new people. Good idea buy and learn. What your price list for this project. I buy sailing boat this year in Sweden. Price 3300€ 41ft. Is steel boat home-made boat make in 2000. I think I must repar all boat and invest 15K.

[@sailingsole]

The plan is to keep sailing for the rest of my days! Lol. Sounds like you got a good deal on your boat like I did. Have fun and send me a video of it when you have a chance. Cheers! 👍🏼

[@mara1982cz]

@@sailingsole well now my boat stay 12 years in backyard. I have video but I dont speak English. Is Czech language. So volume down 😀. I transport this boat 100km and pay 3100€, boat stativ cost 780€ and rent new place cost 1100€ per one year. All cost cca 8K. Nice cheap hobby 🤣. In video, boat have diesel heating, toilet and septik, hydraulik ruddle, 600 liters main diesel tank, engine Volvo Penta, wood mast and boom 8x sails. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3a2gIOoq8-dpdU

[@Houbaraoutdoors]

Which is the most simplest boats with minimum interiors but very strong for sailing

[@sailingsole]

I don’t know sorry. You’ll soon find out that every sailor has a different opinion about this very question. Cheers!

[@Houbaraoutdoors]

@@sailingsole thanks...yes everyone has a different opinion.

[@solomonendalew13]

How can I reach you to share it with you? Thanks for your educational information in advance ! Solomon

[@sailingsole]

Message me on IG. @sailingsole 🤙🏼

[@itsmePassportBro]

Cool. They are $50,000 here in Australia

[@sailingsole]

For a Catalina 30?

[@itsmePassportBro]

Yep

[@itsmePassportBro]

$50000 usd.

[@sailingsole]

@@itsmePassportBro wow that’s wild. It’s a solidly built boat and very simple. Perfect for us.

[@raymondveveris]

You amazing

[@sailingsole]

🤙🏼

[@booksquotes948]

MRP at launch ?

[@sailingsole]

Dare i ask what’s MRP?

[@artzi67]

Baltic 37, how much? Amazing quality

[@sailingsole]

I think they were asking $40-$50 K

[@artzi67]

@@sailingsole reasonable price.

[@garyjensen3414]

The deals are out there---but you really have to look for them-----------

[@sailingsole]

Yeah. You need to get out and go to the marinas, boatyards, etc. Cheers! 🤙🏼

[@vincentconnolly8632]

I bought my sailboat from the federal auction

[@sailingsole]

Sweet. What did you get and how much did you pay? Was it in decent shape?

[@mr.e7022]

Would be nice if I could hear the comments over the MUSIC.

[@sailingsole]

My bad. 😂 A couple other people said the same thing. That was one of my first videos so I have corrected that since then.

[@theoldshooter9011]

Hope you got all the legal paperwork.

[@sailingsole]

How could I register it and get into a marina if I didn’t?

[@theoldshooter9011]

@@sailingsole Beats me

[@vincentconnolly2597]

I found my sailboat in the police auction Federal auction for $100

[@sailingsole]

Nice! How was the condition of it? did you have to fix it up?

[@markbloxham1750]

Would’ve been nice if he you would’ve told us the prices for those boats🤔

[@sailingsole]

Sorry about that. I didn’t have the prices for all of them but they ranged between $25k-40k.

[@roslihat8668]

Hello

[@sailingsole]

👋🏼

[@achristianson4059]

Annoying when boat owners don’t know the basics on their boat specs… the few I’ve checked were shocking to me when asking about stuff like water capacity, main sail age… I’m not a skeptic but it’s like owners and brokers withhold info or don’t want a ton of questions or just say they don’t know

[@sailingsole]

Ya, that’s a bit weird and should raise a red flag if they act like they don’t know specs about their own boat. And if they truly don’t know then it tells you what kind of owner they are, complacent. Just saying…

[@vincentconnolly8632]

👍🤿⛵🎣⛱️🏖️💯

[@sailingsole]

⛵️🐬 🏝 💨 🌧 👍🏼😎

[@vincentconnolly8632]

Police auction

[@sailingsole]

😂😂😂

[@jimdingman4033]

Just a suggestion but you might want to turn down the music volume when you overdub your video! It is supposed to be background music not the main focus of the video. I mean I pulled up your video to see and hear what you had to say about the boats, not listen to your selection of music!

[@sailingsole]

A few people told me that already. This was one of my first videos and I’ve fixed it since then. There are one or two more vids that have a similar issue but I’m aware of it in my older videos. Thanks for enduring it and watching. Cheers.

[@mrofnocnon]

Good video but irritating and unnecessary music track. I had a cat 27, the cat 30 is a good buy.

[@sailingsole]

Thanks, sorry you didn’t like the music. Happy Thanksgiving!

[@TheAncientMarinersBlog]

turn the effing music down!

[@sailingsole]

Sorry man, it’s a bit late for that. Thanks for watching and enduring the horribly loud music.

[@UltraLimitedHD]

Great video terrible music.

[@sailingsole]

Glad you liked the music!

[@jasonmacneil2256]

May I ask how much the Morgan Nelson Merek 45 was selling for and what year she was? Boy, I hear you about the dark wood, but what a beautiful boat. You can get the cigarette smoke out, but it's A LOT OF WORK! Thanks for the great video.

[@sailingsole]

Thanks for watching. Yeah that boat was awesome when I look back at it, just a bit big for my first go 😂. If I remember it was 80’s (not sure) and they were asking around $40k but I was told if I offered $25k I would’ve got it. Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving 🦃🍁 !

[@jasonmacneil2256]

@@sailingsole very cool Sir. Thank you so much for responding back to me. She's a beautiful vessel.

[@ivanabaketaric7782]

I agree that boat was the one i like the most from this video..Realy beauty

[@jasonmacneil2256]

@@ivanabaketaric7782 right with you!!

[@bearbaxi1975]

Good job 😅

[@sailingsole]

🤙🏼😝

[@robertdavis5714]

I personally loved the Merrick with all the wood work. 9 months ago wearing a mask, let it go................its over.

[@sailingsole]

Dude, that footage was right at the beginning of Covid, settle down! I don’t wear a mask, ever, anymore and I trip on those who drive around by themselves with a mask on. People think they know what’s up but if they just look at the dates on screen they could put two and two together. Geez…