Spring 2008
At Sailboat Sales Co. our main goal is making money. Well, truthfully, while
it is one of our goals, it's only one. But even if it was the No. 1
goal, to continue to make money we'd need...
SATISFIED CUSTOMERS
Or, as the guy with the radio ads for his frame company says, not just
"satisfied" customers, but "really happy" customers. After
making selling new and used sailboats my life's work, I can honestly say it's a whole lot
more fun doing the job well than just doing the job. Mostly doing it really
well just means being prepared and...
MINIMIZING SURPRISES!
After all, we're consumers too, and have been on your side of the table and know what a
drag it is playing guessing games with salespeople. It helps to be given as
much information as is realistically possible by the salesperson, in order to best meet
ones expectations.
We are believers in the Woody Allen adage that 90% of enjoying a successful life is
"showing up." We also believe that we must show up bright eyed and bushy tailed,
with genuine enthusiasm for our roles as salespeople. We must deliver to you
clear, concise information, in order to lead you to the boat that best suits your needs.
So, the primary purpose of this web page is to address the most often asked questions of
those of you new to boat ownership in the Chicago metropolitan area, and beyond - A
Chicago Boat Buying FAQ !
1. Are moorings available?
Moorings are available in and in most of the marinas
in the surrounding area. Chicago has nine beautiful harbors. A wet mooring (aka "can") is the cheapest way to moor your boat in
Chicago. For a 30' boat in Monroe Harbor, for example, the rate for the whole
summer for Chicago residents is about $1,350 including a 7% city tax, two passes for the water taxi and a parking pass for the Monroe underground parking garage. A Non-Resident surcharge of 25% of the base fee will be assessed to boaters residing outside the City of Chicago.
.
Slips in Chicago have always been harder to come by. With a slip you get shore water and power hook-ups, but
they are about two - three times the cost of a mooring.
Monroe is the only harbor with the luxury of a water taxi. The other harbors
require a dinghy to get to and from your boat. Dinghy spots are available for
$90.
See the Chicago Harbors web site for complete pricing information and an application for a mooring.
2. Where do I park my boat in the off-season?
Crowley's Yacht Yard, of course! If you are looking for an established, full service,
reliable and secure yard, it's hard to beat Crowley's. There are other cheaper
yards, but for looking after your baby, Crowley's team is No. 1.
What will it cost? For a 30' boat, outside, mast up with no winterizing services of
engine, water and plumbing systems, it's about $1,800 including haul-out, pressure bottom
wash and launch.
3. Aside from summer mooring and winter storage, what are my other fixed costs?
Insurance will range from $500 to $1,200 for full twelve month coverage
for a 30 - 35 boat.
Basic maintenance costs include preventive and corrective tasks such as cleaning and/or
fixing the boat and her mast and rigging, sails, interior and exterior and
bottom. Many of our owners enjoy doing much of this themselves, as it allows
them to better understand their boat, is sometimes therapeutic and may save money over
having our crack professionals do it.
When you visit Sailboat Sales Co. at Crowley's, spend fifteen minutes browsing through
our Ship's Store and introduce yourself to Lecy, Kera and José.
4. I can borrow money to buy my home and my car. Can I borrow money to buy my new or
used boat?
As Christopher Columbus would say, "Without Boat Loans, Where Would America Be
Today?" Rates run a point or two above home mortgage rates, terms from 5 to 20 years,
with 20% down. Generally there are no points or closing costs.
Please ask for a loan application booklet courtesy of our friends at Key Bank.
5. I am excited about buying my first boat and getting my friends, family and
business associates out on the lake. There is no need for lessons, right?
Well, to tell you the truth, we really recommend lessons to get a handle on the
basic principles of learning to sail.
Many people "wing it" and maybe get by for a while, but a good foundation in
sailing can be found in structured lessons during the course of an intensive week, or
month. And it's fun !
"How long does it take to learn to sail?" you ask. To be honest, your whole
life !! While you're learning there's lots of other fun stuff to do like simply hanging
around the boat at the mooring reading a book, writing a letter, or napping, or having
a drink with a friend.
Take it easy, go in "small steps", and stay in the harbor if you feel like
it's too windy and wavy. Don't try to do too much too soon. Create achievable
challenges for yourself. There are quite a few sailing schools both private and
Park District operated. Sign up for beginner or refresher lessons!
6. If I'm buying a used boat, are there warranties or guarantees or is it like a
used car?
Used boats are almost always bought "as is." Marine surveyors are available
to inspect the boat you choose and with reasonable accuracy determine how
"sound" she is. You receive a written report, copies of which you
will be asked to provide to the financing and insurance people. Your broker,
the boatyard personnel, and the surveyor, can assist you in coming to a realistic
perspective on what to do about what the surveyor finds.
7. Does the surveyor look at stuff like sails, electronics and other systems like
the head, water system, pumps and inboard or outboard engine?
Click here for a list of local and regional surveyors. We
encourage you to call and interview them to determine exactly what they do- and what they
don't do- for what you pay. Generally, surveyors in this area do not inspect or
determine the condition of the above. Sails can be checked out either here at
the yard with your broker or at the sail loft of your choice. There are four
good sail lofts in Chicago.
Electronics like VHF radio, boatspeed and wind instruments, loran/GPS etc. can be
demonstrated by the Seller or checked out by Crowley's.
The most important system on the boat to check out is the engine because it's a large
piece of machinery that costs a lot to re-build or replace. Ninety percent of
the time a sailboat engine, when checked out by a mechanic, is fine. Crowley's
has a well-staffed mechanical department with a "mobile unit" designed to
perform thorough Engine surveys (from about $350). Having the engine checked ahead
of time can save a lot of headaches later.
When boats are purchased in the winter, most boat brokers will offer what's known as an
"engine/systems escrow" which means, equipment that that can't be properly
checked out on land will be specified and covered by a $1,000 [or more] "hold
back" from the seller's proceeds until the boat's launched and adequate tests can be
made.
Click here to download our engine escrow agreement.
8. What about sales or use tax?
If it's a new boat or trade-in boat then Illinois sales
tax and other local and regional use taxes may apply. In addition, a 3-Year Illinois registration fee ranges from $52 to $107 based on the length of the boat. See the IDNR Boating Page for details.
Effective September 1, 2004, tax is owed when a watercraft is acquired by gift, donation, transfer, or non-retail purchase if the watercraft will be used in Illinois. The Watercraft Use Tax is 6.25% of the purchase price. For more specific details, read this bulletin from the Illinois Department of Revenue.
9. I live far away from Chicago. Can you arrange shipment?
We can help by providing you a list of recommended trucking companies. You'll need to contact them for an estimate. Crowley's can prepare the boat for trucking. Click here for an explanation of rates to prep your boat for shipping.
If you are planning a trip to Chicago, check out 877Chicago.com for visitor information, maps, and hotel reservations, or try CheapRooms.com for discounted rates on hotel rooms.
10. I'm ready to start shopping for a boat. Now what?
Take a look at the boats we currently have listed for sale. We try to include as much detail and as many photos as possible. You can always give us a call, or better yet, come visit us and see the boats in person.
We're located at Crowley's Yacht Yard on Chicago's Calumet River, just two bridges in from Lake Michigan! Many of the boats here are in heated indoor storage. Crowley's has a great service department, a large ship's store, and quick, easy access to the lake.
Visit our directions page for maps, directions, and complete contact information.
11. This is an attempt at a Chicago Sail Boat Buying FAQ - please let us know if
there's anything we've left out!
Happy Boat Search !
