Yachting and Boating World forums: Wayfarer World sailing dinghy

I know this is above the value threshold for this board but, if I explain the circumstances, I hope the mods will allow the thread to remain.

Just under two years ago, a personal friend, just 40 years old and father of one of my son's class mates (then 11) and another boy of ~9, died suddenly and unexpectedly - just keeled over one evening at home.

Neil (not his real name) was a newish but dead keen boater of all sorts of craft. He had bought (as co-owner) a lovely, unusual design (not sure of the make, but Italian, I believe) , motor crusier of ~30', which he regularly sailed from its south coast mooring and cruised to Devon once a year with his family (wife and the two boys). One year, we were in Salcombe (with the RIB) at the same time and we enjoyed a fabulous week or so with Neil and his family.

He had also purchased (again as co-owner) a sailing catamaran, which was in build at the time he died.

Also, in May 2005, he bought a Wayfarer sailing dinghy, in which he planned to learn to sail with his sons. It had only been used about half-a-dozen times before he died.

His wife disposed of his interests in the motor cruiser and the catamaran but has been hanging on to the Wayfarer as 'a piece of Neil' and in the hope that one of the boys may take up sailing and use it.

However, she has recently decided that it has to be sold. I am not aware and would not presume to guess at her exact financial circumstances. However, although Neil had many and diverse business interests, he was, as far as I understand, not especially wealthy and did not leave a massive estate (no doubt expecting to be around as the (sole) breadwinner for some time).

I have offered to help Neil's wife sell the Wayfarer. Obviously it could be placed with a broker (suggestions please, and advice on what sort of commission deal should be expected). Even better would be to avoid the brokerage cost by a private sale.

As stated above, the boat was new in May 2005 and carried a purchase price of £9,000 (I am certain this can be proved by original invoice). This is more than the current list price so I'm guessing that is due to extras included in the spec, which follows. However, I know very little about Wayfarers so this is guesswork.

I hope, somewhere out there, someone who is about to buy a new Wayfarer will see this or hear of this and buy Neil's boat instead, for something approaching the price they would have paid to a dealer for an equivalent new one. I will introduce any interested party to Neil's wife and do everything I can to help facilitate a sale.

Any suggestions on other possible avenues for sale are also welcome. I haven't actually seen the boat myself but plan to do so this week. I will try to find and publicly post answers to any questions, but may choose to withhold information that identifies the family.

Over to you, chaps.

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Fair Prospect

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