Looking for buyer guidance

[Jimbo9]

Hi,
I’m currently looking to purchase a Fairey Super Swordsman.

I notice from the listings online the the prices differ significantly from around £50k to £90k.

What affects these prices? Condition? Spec? Seller wanting quick sale etc?

Also, what should I look out for in terms of issues?

What are the annual running costs? My brother has a Fairey Atalanta and it the maintenance seems like painting the Forth Bridge! Is this just the reality of a boat of this construction and age?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks

[Scott Pett]

A Super Swordsman is a lot of boat and can be like the Forth Bridge to maintain if you ignore it for very long.

Price will vary by condition, engines, and of course someone may be trying their arm if they've just spent a lot of money on the boat in order to sell it or may have priced it cheap in order to shift it.

A good surveyor will be worth his fee to help catch the things that need doing, and there will always be things to do.

If you can do some or all of the work yourself, then things can be a lot cheaper to fix but at the expense of time.

As always; Caveat Emptor.

Good Hunting,
Scott

[Phil62]

When I gave mine a refit a few years ago, the big thing that everyone mentioned was the engines, I was looking for sabres etc, but the general consensus was that new engines would add value, and spares were drying up for the older engines, so that's what it got, and I'm really glad I did as they have been brilliant.

I think some of the higher priced boats look to be well maintained and are beautifully cosmetically, but often have older machinery.

These things require constant varnishing plus fresh paint every few years etc and there is always something to do, mine goes through phases of looking immaculate to periods when she clearly is ready for some fresh varnish, however don't let a little flaky varnish etc put you off, but they are not like GRP boats which can be left for a while then polished up.

My advice would be look for a sound boat with well maintained modern machinery, - by modern I mean probably 1990s onwards, ie later generation Perkins phasers /Cummins / FPT / Volvo etc

[Jimbo9]

Many thanks for this, sound advice

[tjsb]

In terms of annual running costs, mooring is going to be one of the bigger costs. Well worth considering something other than the greedy usual suspects. My Hamble River mooring is less than a fifth the cost of a marina, but a little less convenient. Consider wider local area as it may make a significant difference. Running costs will vary a great deal depending on how much you want to do yourself. Many engineering jobs are suitable for the average person. If in need of help, there is lots of good advice on this forum. Paying someone to do basic jobs is generally quite expensive and there is satisfaction in doing it yourself. Don't forget, the best way to maintain a boat is to use it regularly. Good luck.

[Firefly]

Personally I think you need to be very careful. These boats need significant care and continual attention.
In my view wintering in a shed is a necessity, and not cheap. There is a lot of wood and potential for rot.
A boat can be sound one year and as time goes by rot appears and needs attention, regularly.
If you can afford a new 33 foot grp boat plus the greater running costs of a wooden boat. Then you may be Ok,
but you will need deeper pockets than currents Swordsman prices suggest.
Often boats need new teak decks, perhaps 30 to 40k.
If you find a nice one, get a Fairey owner to look, get a survey, sea trial it, be realistic about expenditure needed. Professional expenditure.
Appreciate that you will have to coddle it. The boat deserves it, but will certainly need it.
Swordsman are a thing of beauty originally bought by wealthy men, and need to be owned by wealthy
men

[PeterCharleston]

Hi Jimbo and welcome, the advice and knowledge from the FOC members is quite remarkable, I am on a small Swordsman restoration project, just a polish, !!! When I looked around I realised I could not afford a fully up together Fairey, so "Charleston" , but that's a story, if you don't want the yearly ritual then yes a fibreglass Fairey is the way to go , but don't be fooled, they still need a load of love. Spend time talking to all the Fairey people before you dive in, Ben Curtis, Adrian Nichol, Whittle Marine, Classic Yacht Works , Suffolk Yachts, etc etc, all the names in the amazing Fairey News, you will be astonished at the knowledge and information these people store !! Also don't be shy about posting daft questions on the Forum , I do and always get superb info, after all of that, the pride and pleasure of Fairey ownership , big or small is priceless, have fun, Peter