Aspiring Sailor

Good day,

So I live inland and I have already sourced the information and pricing required to complete the RYA Yachtmaster course, which is going to take a long time.

I would like to do some deep-ocean sailing at some point in my life and I have a couple of questions for those who may be able to answer them for me.

What would a ocean-safe sailing yacht cost me if I wanted to acquire a decent enough 20-30 foot boat. I have seen some very nice boats online that price well over $100k and $200k and I was wondering if there are less costly alternatives?

Also, how much should I expect to pay on maintenance and docking for such a boat?

Thanks, any info would be appreciated.

For mooring in Durban, you can expect to pay around R2000 pm and should you want to purchase the mooring anything from R100 000 upwards

Have a chat with Fish Executioner if he is still on SL.
Before you even think about buying, I suggest at least 3 years crewing. One local, one local and racing and one crossing oceans.
May seem like a romantic notion, but it is hard work!

Of course, I was never going to just buy. The intention is to sail as a crew member for the foreseeable future. I'm just trying to gauge whether buying would be a sustainable option for me or not.

Get on a delivery from cape town to Carrib or east. 2500nm is a 1/4 of a full trip.

Hi there Sailwish,

I sold my skiboat and moved over to sailing with a project yacht. A spirit 28.

Sailing is completely different to skiboats, Life is much slower on the boat and you work a bit harder.

Buying and refitting the boat will be your biggest expense. I bought "Char-Lyn" for R80000.00 and have probably spent the same to refit if not more.

Refit and cheap is not mentioned in the same sentence, Here you rather save and do it properly than regret it miles from shore. Char-lynn`s refit took nearly six months of every Saturday and Sunday.

Key is to look for a boat thats sound with most work being cosmetic.

Maintenance is a tough topic, It all boils down to how much you can do yourself. I probably spend around R2k to R4k a year on maintaining the boat if nothing serious breaks and do most of the work myself.

The Annual survey is around R450.00 and every two years the vessel must be hauled and anti fouled again, costing around R1600 for haulage, R600 (2 guys 2xdays) for labour (Painters) and then antifouling paint @ R500 per liter (I use 4l for two coats)

Moorings are the most expensive, Here in Richards Bay we pay around R550 for a trot. (Floating mooring) R2000 for a walk on and R800 on the "sausage mooring" Only down side with the trot and sausage is you will have to go between boat and shore with a tender.

In the end, I actually ended up saving money in the long run, I fill my boat every 4 to 5 months (40l) and use it at least 3 to 4 times a month fishing, racing family cruises etc.

Another advantage is creature comforts, with the yacht we have a fridge,freezer, tv and dv players for the kids and the all important shower and loo (heads) for the ladies.


If you have any other questions feel free to pm me

If you are ever in Richards Bay hit me up for a day sail?