About the Authors
Peter Rollo: I purchased my 2013 Leopard 48 catamaran in Tahiti and have since sailed over 10,000 nautical miles across the Pacific to New Zealand, Australia, and now Indonesia, visiting eight countries along the way. We live aboard full-time, working as digital nomads with Starlink onboard. As the founder of Catamaran Mentor, I provide independent advice to catamaran buyers based on my extensive cruising experience.
Rich Boren (Cruise RO Watermakers):Rich Boren, a co-author of this article, is a seasoned sailor and a true expert in marine watermakers. His company, Cruise RO Watermakers, specializes in providing reliable water-making solutions tailored for long-term cruisers. I first got to know Rich when I inherited the watermaker model he had supplied to my catamaran's previous owner. Since then, Rich has been an invaluable resource, offering near 24/7 support on WhatsApp. He’s taught me everything I need to know about watermakers—and then some. As a regular professional at the Annapolis Boat Show, I knew he would be the perfect addition to assist with hints and tips for this article. Thanks, Rich! https://www.cruiserowaterandpower.com/
Introduction
The Annapolis Sailboat Show https://annapolisboatshows.com/ is one of the most significant events for boating enthusiasts and potential buyers. While the show primarily showcases new boats, it’s also an invaluable opportunity for used catamaran buyers. Why? It allows you to compare different models, layouts, sizes, and budgets all in one place. Plus, it’s the perfect chance to talk to industry experts and explore various gear and equipment. Even if you’re not in the market for a brand-new vessel, you’ll gain insights to make your used boat shopping more effective and informed.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
Planning Your Visit: How to do your homework, create a daily plan, and schedule boat tours for a streamlined experience.
Capturing Key Details: Tips on taking photos, evaluating layouts, and noting essential features for post-show analysis.
Asking the Right Questions: Essential questions to pose to sellers that will help you assess used models effectively.
Understanding Costs: The true cost of outfitting a catamaran and why a fully equipped boat may save you money in the long run.
Building Relationships: How to connect with brokers, vendors, and experts without falling into common pitfalls.
Taking Advantage of Seminars: Learn how to use show workshops to gain knowledge on maintenance and gear.
Assessing Trends: Get insights on market trends like electric propulsion and lithium batteries, and how to evaluate them for long-term cruising.
By the end, you’ll be ready to navigate the Annapolis Sailboat Show confidently and make informed decisions for your catamaran purchase.
1. Do Your Homework Before You Arrive
Preparation is key to maximizing your time at the show. Research the specific makes and models of boats you’re interested in, and study the exhibitor list to identify which brokerages and sellers you want to meet. Having a focused plan will save you time and help you gather valuable information.
Navigating the Show: The Annapolis Boat Show is large and can be overwhelming, so outline a daily plan. Focus on specific areas or types of boats each day. Schedule breaks to review notes and reflect on what you’ve seen. Revisiting key boats or booths can often provide new insights.
Scheduling Boat Tours: If you’re interested in specific models, schedule tours ahead of time. Popular brands might have long wait times, so booking early is crucial to get a detailed walkthrough without feeling rushed.
2. Tools for Capturing Information
Buyers often forget details after visiting multiple boats, so documenting your observations is crucial for post-show analysis.
Bring a Notebook and Smartphone: Take photos and jot down notes on each boat you visit. Photos can capture layouts, equipment, and features, while written notes help you remember your impressions and thoughts.
Evaluate Layout Decisions: Note how you feel about specific layout aspects, as these directly apply to your used boat choices:
Galley Up vs. Galley Down: A galley-up configuration offers shared living space and conversation flow but typically results in a smaller galley and less seating in the saloon. A galley down provides a larger cooking area and a more lounge-like saloon but isolates the cook from the social space. After five years onboard, I care less about this distinction, but it's still worth considering.
Raised Helm: My favourite for extended cruising, offering excellent visibility and protection.
Flybridge Helm: Ideal for Caribbean holiday boats and circumnavigation if you love it, providing fantastic views and a relaxed atmosphere.
Rear Helms: Offers more sail feel and better visibility when docking but is often exposed to the weather. Personally, I struggle with this helm location—it feels counterintuitive, like driving a car from the backseat. However, I’ve never sailed on one, so I might change my mind one day.
Office Space: Essential if you plan to work onboard.
3. Questions to Ask New Boat Sellers That Apply to Used Boat Purchases
While the show focuses on new boats, many questions for brokers or sellers can apply directly to used boat purchases:
"Are there any known issues with this model?"
"What common upgrades or repairs do owners typically perform?"
Inquire about market conditions to understand pricing trends. This insight can help you gauge whether a used boat is priced competitively.
"Are the bulkheads tabbed/fiberglassed in?"
"What sort of warranty claims have previous owners made for this model?" Assess the honesty of the sales team and their transparency in addressing issues. Warranty claims are normal, so ask how they’ve improved their service or build process based on feedback.
4. My Boat Show Experience Before I Purchased
When I attended a boat show for the first time, my main goal was to decide between a catamaran and a monohull. Walking through different boats made me realize that catamarans felt more like home. I explored sizes from 39 to 60 feet, ultimately finding the sweet spot between 42 and 52 feet. This range offered enough space for comfort without becoming too challenging to manage solo if needed or blowing out the budget.
5. Catamaran Versus Monohull
This topic could fill an entire article (and there are many YouTube videos on it), but briefly: choosing between a catamaran and a monohull depends on your cruising goals and personal preferences. Catamarans offer more living space and stability, especially at anchor, but they are pricier. Monohulls provide a traditional sailing experience and are often more affordable. If your budget allows for a catamaran, my advice is to go for it.
6. Performance Catamarans Versus Cruising Catamarans
Next, consider whether a performance or cruising catamaran fits your lifestyle. For example, compare the space and sailing characteristics of a 51-foot Outremer versus a 52-foot Lagoon. For me, comfort and space were paramount; I knew I wanted to work, raise a family onboard, and slowly circumnavigate, which is why I chose the Leopard 48—spacious, functional, and home-like, and it still sails reasonably well. This decision-making process will be similar when looking at used boats. A 45-foot cruising cat will typically have a similar amount of accommodation as a 50-foot performance catamaran. After exploring different catamarans, you'll start to understand your size and performance options.
7. The True Cost of Outfitting a Cruising Catamaran: Bare Boat vs. Fully Fitted Out
When shopping for a used catamaran, it’s crucial to understand the real price of outfitting a boat for extended cruising. Essential gear for long-term cruising can be eye-watering, and buyers often underestimate how quickly these costs add up. To make an informed decision, consider what equipment is already on a boat versus what you’ll need to add.
Make a List of Essential Gear: Before the show, compile a list of “must-have” gear for a cruising catamaran. This list typically includes:
Watermaker
Solar panels, inverters, and lithium battery systems
Autopilot and navigation electronics
Dinghy and outboard
Safety equipment (life raft, EPIRB, fire suppression system)
Upgraded anchoring system (windlass, chain, anchor)
Fuel polishing systems
Sails and rigging in good condition
Spare parts and redundancy (e.g., a second autopilot, spare dinghy, and outboard)
Comfort upgrades (e.g., better bedding, air conditioning)
Price It Out at the Show: As you visit booths and talk to vendors at the Annapolis Sailboat Show, take the time to get pricing for these essential pieces of equipment. You might be shocked at how quickly the costs add up, often amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars—and that’s not even including installation fees! Adding a watermaker, solar power system, lithium batteries, and new sails can easily exceed $50,000-$100,000.
Installation Costs and Time: Remember, the cost of the gear is just the beginning. Installation can take months and come with unexpected expenses. Installing complex systems like solar arrays, lithium battery banks, or a new navigation suite involves a steep learning curve and a shakedown period for troubleshooting.
Used Market Implications: Understanding these costs helps you accurately assess a used boat’s value. A boat that comes fully equipped and ready for bluewater cruising may seem more expensive upfront, but it could save you significant time, money, and hassle compared to a less expensive, bare-bones boat. A basic 45-50 foot ex-charter hull might be $150K-$200K cheaper than a fully equipped, liveaboard-ready catamaran. Many buyers are confused by this disparity, but once you see the numbers, it makes sense.
Nick O’Kelly, a well-known YouTuber and experienced catamaran cruiser, once said, "Buyers underpay for good boats and overpay for bad boats." This is often because newbies don’t yet fully understand what makes a boat “good” regarding gear age and readiness for planned adventure.
My assessment spreadsheets at Catamaran Mentor highlight these differences, offering personalized education to help you assess buy, refit and sail catamarans on the market.
In short, understanding the true cost of outfitting a catamaran can prevent you from getting caught in a situation where the initial “bargain” boat ends up costing far more than a fully equipped, bluewater-ready vessel. Many buyers are often surprised at how much they spend post-purchase. This often leads to cutting short their cruising plans and is one reason so many catamarans are back on the market within two years.
8. Use the Show to Build Relationships
The Annapolis Sailboat Show is a fantastic opportunity to build relationships. Chat with brokers to gain insights on the boats you're considering. However, I recommend avoiding signing up with a buyer’s broker at the show. I’ve written an article on why I chose not to use a buyer’s broker—essentially, it can slow your shopping process and add layers of communication and a reduction in the number of options available to you. Instead, connect directly with listing brokers to streamline your interactions. To read: https://www.catamaranmentor.com/post/why-i-didn-t-choose-a-buyers-broker
9. Take Advantage of Boat Show Seminars and Workshops
Learning to sail is the easy part; the real challenge of cruising life lies in boat maintenance, equipment failures, and installing upgrades. The show offers seminars and workshops on these topics. Even if they’re geared toward new boats, the knowledge gained will help you make more informed decisions when purchasing a used vessel.
Workshops: Look for those hosted by industry experts. Rich's company, Cruise RO Watermakers, often provides workshops offering key insights into water-making systems—an essential consideration for long-term cruisers. Here is a link to Rich's water maker education that you can attend at the 2024 Annapolis Boat Show: https://cruisersuniversity.com/course/watermakers-101/
10. Get Hands-On with Gear and Equipment
The show is a unique opportunity to see and test gear that might be part of your post-purchase refit budget. Visit booths for dinghies, marine electronics, watermakers, solar power systems, rigging companies, and more. Many vendors offer show discounts, which can reduce your post-purchase upgrade costs.
11. Quality Builders Versus Production Builders
Understanding the differences between quality builders (like Outremer and Knysna) and high-volume production builders (like Lagoon and Leopard) is essential. Quality builders use superior materials, fittings, and craftsmanship, offering better performance and durability but at a higher price point. Production builders are more affordable but may lack some high-end features. These distinctions carry over into the used market, although extensive upgrades by previous owners can blur these lines.
Ask for a Closer Look: When speaking with brokers, ask them to show the boat’s inner workings. Look behind panels, into bilges, and at mechanical areas to assess build quality. Look for tidy electrical and plumbing installations. Does the equipment appear robust and semi-commercial, or does it look light and recreational? This is especially important when comparing quality builders to production boats.
Discuss Known Issues: Don’t hesitate to ask brokers or manufacturers about any known issues with the models you’re considering, such as hull blisters, structural problems like bulkhead repairs, or rudder issues. This knowledge is invaluable when shopping for a used boat.
12. Mindset and Self-Care at the Show
Pace Yourself: The show can be exhausting, so stay hydrated (water, not alcohol! :) ), take breaks, and pack small snacks to keep your energy up. Avoid getting tired and grumpy with your partner—you want them onboard for this exciting life change!
Keep an Open Mind: You might come to the show with a specific boat in mind but discover another model that suits your needs better. Flexibility is key.
13. Highlighting Specific Gear and Technology Trends
You will see many market trends, such as electric propulsion, lithium battery systems, and forward-facing sonar. Remember that new trends need to stand the test of time—don’t get caught up in the hype too quickly. For example, I recently asked a Facebook catamaran group for feedback on forward-facing sonar, and most responses indicated it wasn't as helpful as advertised. Similarly, hybrid power and electric motors are promising but need to prove themselves in real-world conditions.
Always consider how technology will be serviced and maintained while crossing remote areas like the Pacific. I’ve been in a hot, sticky, equatorial marina in Sorong, Indonesia, where a fellow catamaran owner was struggling with hybrid propulsion issues. Meanwhile, I was easily tuning my old-fashioned diesel engine with help from just a local mechanic.
14. Link to Additional Resources
Check out other articles, guides, and resources on the Catamaran Mentor website, including the "Why I Choose Not to Use a Buyer’s Broker" article. These resources will help you navigate boat shopping, maintenance, and upgrades. https://www.catamaranmentor.com/blog
Conclusion
Attending the Annapolis Sailboat Show is an invaluable experience for used boat buyers. By doing your homework, building relationships, learning from seminars, and critically assessing boats and gear, you can gather the information and connections needed to make an informed purchase.
Ready to Navigate Your Catamaran Buying Journey with Confidence?
Whether you’re drawn to the spaciousness and upgrades of an older, fully fitted-out catamaran or the sleek design and modern technology of a newer model, expert guidance is key. From understanding the true costs of outfitting a bare boat to navigating the nuances of different layouts and gear, my mentoring process ensures you’re equipped with the knowledge to make the right choice. Find out more at www.catamaranmentor.com
Let’s connect! Email me today to schedule a brief, complimentary discovery call to discuss your catamaran goals and see how I can help you find a great one. And even better I look forward to seeing you out on the water in your dream catamaran.
Regards,
Peter
Peter Rollo, MBA
WhatsApp text or call: +64 21 222 6944
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