Boat Recommendations

Gustywinds said:

Yeah, I know, its just a matter of whether I want to spend a couple of grand having it lifted and surveyed. I've spent a grand with flights/hotels/car/food in this 4 day visit and it has been very interesting and Ive learned a lot speaking to owners and to the service companies locally. Even got a ride in a Sealine SC29 which was pretty nice although the build wasn't as impressive as the Finnish boats. I was also talking to a tech fitting a stern thruster onto a sterndrive. I didn't know such a thing existed and have asked about this elsewhere.
Anyway, plenty to think about, home tomorrow.

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Welcome to boat ownership, the right boat won’t come to you. But enjoy he journey.

I've only had mine less than a year and have an issue with the engine trim sensor. Lots of minor bits and things to be refurbed like the one you saw as well that I'm getting through.

No boat will be perfect and age takes its toll.

The lift and survey would typically end in a price discussion if anything unexpected was found.

If the drive had anodes it is likely fine. But if not they are simple to replace and there will be a discussion with the vendor

I have the 25ft version, and love it, sometimes wish I had gone for the 29, but the 25 gave me the option for a much newer boat.

Another wee update on this:
When I got back to the UK, I had a long chat with my financial advisor and it just wasn't realistic to spend the £200k+ that even an early Nimbus 305 would cost.
I'd already decided that the Jeanneau NC9 I'd looked at in La Ciotat wasn't going to work with the amount of work needed so I was back to looking around UK brokers.
Then I got a mail from John, the guy I met in France with the 305 and he told me the broker he had dealt with in Netherlands had a 2012 Nimbus 335 for sale at !50k. Got in touch, he sent some pics and I was interested enough to fly to Amsterdam and onwards on Monday.
The boat was a little disappointing in the flesh, it was all white (cream?) rather than the usual white/blue and looked rather grubby (would probably polish up) and the upholstery was a very light beige which was also grubby/saggy.
I was sitting trying to read the paperwork/bills of sale and certs when the other partner in the brokerage asked my if I'd be interested in an Aquador 32. I said I was indeed so I was whisked off to another Marina about 25km away to see a boat they were just in the process in taking on.
It is a 2005 boat, Volvo Penta D6 370HP with only 830 hrs, bow and stern thrusters. It was polished, antifouled and serviced at the beginning of last year and all the teak "fed" (as they put it).Seems really beautifully maintained. Only slight downside is the previous owner has removed the display and radar he installed last year, to put on his new boat. The previous owner bought it in 2019 and there was a survey report from then (in Dutch) which was very positive.
So, bottom line is, subject to having my own survey done and my FA doing some juggling to minimise the cost of paying in Euros, we should own our own boat by early next month. And then the fun will really start!
Thanks to all who responded to this, I'm sure I'll have lots more questions in the coming months (Best/most cost effective MFD/ Radar for one!)

Exciting times!
Hope all goes well with the survey and payment transaction.