The buying experience of Second Wind was quite remarkable. She was listed with Buyaboat at Lake Macquarie for $34,900 - make an offer. I had been looking at her and other yachts for 6 months or more.

I had consulted with local yacht owner friends and of course my wife, and the general consensus was that Second Wind was a right yacht for our intended use, was ready to go and did not need a major spend to get her home to Bundaberg.

When I inquired on the yacht, the broker offered to and did put me in contact with the owner of the yacht. All brokers should do this in my opinion. You want it from "the horse's mouth". I had a long conversation with the owner during which I got a good feel for the yacht and how it was used and maintained. My questions were very pointed and specific.

The three things in my buying criteria were, the yacht had to be 30 foot (not over 10 m) and not cost over $1,000 per foot and be ready to go ie. no big spend.

So Second Wind was there and approved by me , Wife and sailing compadres but not at the price. In the meantime Jonathan Frearson has this Cavalier 28 advertised for sale at $18,000 and appears to be a thing. I promptly put a $1,000 holding deposit on it and set off for Sydney the next day to buy it.

The thought then of course is, you are not going to drive to Sydney and back at a cost of $2,000 to look at one boat??? No!!! So I ring the broker on Second Wind and toss the question "Do you reckon the guy will cop $28,000 for it??" Intuitively he knew I was serious and said "I will make sure he does, leave it to me and I will call you back tomorrow."

Sure enough he rings me at 10 am the next morning aqsking me if I want to own A Lotus 0.2 for $28,000.

Stay tuned................