Ahoy Mateys! Our Experience Buying our New-to-us Sailboat!

Our newest adventure begins with the purchase of a newer, nicer, and bigger sailboat. We officially take ownership just after Christmas… though sadly, she won’t quite fit under the tree.

After months of searching, heartbreaks, surprises, and learning more than we ever expected about boat buying, this feels unreal in the best way.

All dressed for winter

The Search Before Buying

Back in August, our search led us to a beautiful Hunter 376 in Gananoque, Ontario. She looked lovely at first glance, but the marine survey revealed deck moisture over 60% in several areas plus visible interior water damage. That was a project boat and not the adventure we were looking for.

So we widened the search.

We began working with a broker who encouraged us to look in the U.S., where sailboats are often more budget-friendly, even after transportation and logistics. Before long, we were in Maryland viewing a Hunter 380 in August.

Let’s just say… she wasn’t love at first sight.

She was dark, a little dingy, and clearly neglected. We weren’t afraid of putting in elbow grease, though, and she had potential, enough for us to submit an offer that was eventually refused. I was heartbroken. To make matters worse, our broker became… challenging. His advice was always the same: “wait… wait some more… wait longer.”

Months later, we finally learned the full truth. That boat needed:

• new motor mounts

• a new rudder

• fridge repairs, with unknown issues beneath

Not exactly the surprise package we were hoping for, especially when repairs could delay our 2024 sailing season. So once again, we walked away.

A Road Trip, Two Boats, and One Big Decision

Still hopeful and determined, we set off in early November on a four-day road trip to see two Hunter 380s; one in Wisconsin listed through a dealership, and another in Minnesota through a private sale.

Both were gorgeous. Both were tempting. And choosing between them was HARD. Ultimately, we made our decision not just with our hearts, but with a healthy dose of practicality. The private seller didn’t want to involve lawyers, and with the amount of money involved, and the number of scams out there, that simply wasn’t a risk we were willing to take.

So Wisconsin it was. Meeting Serenity Isle

Soon after placing our deposit, we were back in Wisconsin for Serenity Isle’s marine survey… and she passed beautifully. Cue massive sigh of relief! Serenity Isle is everything we hoped she would be, well cared for, upgraded, and ready to carry us toward new adventures. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of planning our trip to bring her home, arranging insurance, finalizing finances, and dreaming endlessly about the journeys ahead. And now… we wait.

We wait for spring. We can't wait to see her again in April. We wait for that first sail as her new owners.

Waiting has never felt so exciting. So here’s to new beginnings, to Serenity Isle, and to the unforgettable adventures ahead. ⚓️💙

Follow along as we prep, sail, laugh, stress (just a little), and fall even more in love with life on the water. The real fun is just beginning.