BOAT SELECTION
CONSULTATION & MENTORING SERVICE
Since 1976 I have professionally consulted with and mentored over 12,000 people seeking cruising boats. My experience in the marine industry is unique; 406,000 miles and 50 years worldwide ocean sailing experience plus boatbuilding, surveying and previously owning a yacht brokerage. I’ve also owned and maintained four ocean cruising boats.
Although 2025 will be my final year of offering sail-training expeditions, I plan on continuing to offer this consultation service.
December 3, 2024 MARKET UPDATE from Rarotonga, Cook Islands and New Zealand:
I’ve been meeting with cruisers who have just arrived in Opua, NZ from Europe and North America and several are needing to sell their boats quickly to return to jobs or to help aging parents. From everything I’ve heard, the NZ economy appears to be in recession, having not recovered from COVID. I’ve seen some excellent values in cruising yachts and the three bonus factors here are:
1. US dollar is at near record levels against the NZ dollar.
2. NZ is tied with the west coast of Sweden for having the best refit/offshore outfit facilities in the world for cruising boats.
3. The world’s most spectacular cruising grounds of Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Australia are just one weeks sailing away.
Interestingly, a continued strong market does not appear to be the situation in Europe where boat prices are generally lower.
I recently completed my annual updating of both Boats to Consider for Ocean Cruising list, plus average boat selling prices of the 24 different models I’ve tracked for 25 years. Different than last year, more average boat selling prices have declined than increased this year, so the wild market caused by COVID appear to have cooled slightly.
Market Pricing:
I just returned earlier this year from sailing and checking out brokerage boats in Scotland and Greece. With the US dollar the strongest it’s been in decades against European currencies, European purchases are more attractive than ever, as long as you’re happy starting your cruise from there. It does not make financial sense to purchase in Europe with the plan of shipping or having a yacht delivered to North America.
I am ready and keen to help you find your dream cruising boat.
$1500
Unlimited Email Consultation & Mentoring Service
There is NO time limit on this consultation/mentoring service which is conducted by email and includes:
- An initial 40-minute video conference call, after which the consultation is conducted by email.
- Analysis of your total overall cost of ownership: purchase, outfitting, maintenance, and resale value.
- A discussion of what you will need to do to become insurable and an introduction to the most appropriate insurance agent(s).
- Analysis of the boats you are currently considering, focusing on design, quality, safety, seaworthiness, speed and comfort.
- Suggestion of additional boats for you to review.
- Listing and selling prices of sisterships utilizing information from soldboats.com.
- Assisting you in formulating an Offer to Purchase.
- Referral to qualified and unbiased marine surveyors worldwide.
- Review of the survey with recommendation on post-survey price negotiations.
- Advice and referrals regarding, registration, offshore flagging and tax implications.
- Assistance with referrals for qualifying for two levels of insurance, initial and offshore.
- Evaluation of current gear including sails and communications equipment with recommendations of additional equipment needed for safe extended voyaging.
- Overall voyage planning assistance, plus recommendations of specific weather routers.
- Recommendations of safe boatyards worldwide for refit or storage while you return home.
- Assistance selling you boat years later, potentially in a higher market than where you are considering purchasing.
- If you prefer consultation by telephone (after the initial 40-minute video conference) the price is an additional $200 per hour.
$650
Unlimited Outfitting, Voyage Planning & Mentoring Consultation
- This service is offered if you’ve already ordered or purchased your cruising vessel but need advice and recommendations on gear replacement and additions plus overall voyage planning.
Consultations are conducted by e-mail as this allows me to research answers and keep track of the boats we’ve discussed. I reply Monday – Saturday. Sunday is my day off.
- Fill out and return the Boat Consultation Questionnaire.
- Contact me with your Visa or MC card details. Phone: mobile 360-378-7344. Note, while on expedition, I’m focused on teaching and unable to take phone calls, so email is best during those dates. I will always reply to email within 24-48 hours.
- Download a .pdf file of the Questionnaire. Please email me your completed questionnaire: sailing@mahina.com
Please note I am a professional consultant. I don’t sell boats or receive commissions of any type from anyone. My only interest is in helping you find the boat which will allow you to realize your cruising dreams safely and comfortably, while maintaining as much of your investment as possible.
