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Alexei ruled out all my German choices as too expensive. We settled on a Marieholm 32 in Bergen for €12,500. The seller was Estonian and spoke Russian. The photos looked excellent: a welded solar-panel frame in the cockpit, a gennaker bowsprit, mast steps, a large sail wardrobe and plenty of improvements. Mentally, I was ready to pay. Alexei sent me a viewing checklist and reminded me that a sea trial was essential.
At ten on 1 April, I stepped aboard. The neglect was obvious: rotting wood, cooker and fittings crumbling with rust. The engine started on the fifth attempt at full throttle, releasing a white cloud that covered half the pontoon and spraying oil and coolant around itself. I took her out briefly, came alongside and turned her in her own length. The white smoke kept coming, accompanied by a loud, rhythmic clatter.
The owner mentioned another buyer, willing to buy unseen because he planned to replace the engine and electrics anyway for an Atlantic crossing. But as I’d contacted him first, I had first refusal. My impression was that the yacht had been thoroughly neglected, remembered only for a couple of weeks each year.
That evening, Alexei advised walking away. The engine didn’t have long left; buying and installing a replacement would cost at least €10,000. I mentioned my concerns about the long keel making her hard to handle. He reassured me I’d get used to it in a couple of weeks. Norway won me over; the yacht didn’t. A month later, she was still for sale, now at €8,500.
#purchase
At ten on 1 April, I stepped aboard. The neglect was obvious: rotting wood, cooker and fittings crumbling with rust. The engine started on the fifth attempt at full throttle, releasing a white cloud that covered half the pontoon and spraying oil and coolant around itself. I took her out briefly, came alongside and turned her in her own length. The white smoke kept coming, accompanied by a loud, rhythmic clatter.
The owner mentioned another buyer, willing to buy unseen because he planned to replace the engine and electrics anyway for an Atlantic crossing. But as I’d contacted him first, I had first refusal. My impression was that the yacht had been thoroughly neglected, remembered only for a couple of weeks each year.
That evening, Alexei advised walking away. The engine didn’t have long left; buying and installing a replacement would cost at least €10,000. I mentioned my concerns about the long keel making her hard to handle. He reassured me I’d get used to it in a couple of weeks. Norway won me over; the yacht didn’t. A month later, she was still for sale, now at €8,500.
#purchase
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