$$ Buying a Glider $$
Everyone wants to know what is a fair price? It's what someone is willing to pay for it. After I won the 2015 US Club Nationals, we felt that the ASW-19 I was flying was worth $60,000. It was a proven winner and still the cheapest way to get on a US Team to fly a WGC. However, no buyer felt that was a fair price... Hopefully, it won't lose too much value after the owner races it this summer.
Maintenance can be very easy for many years, there are some life-limited parts to keep in mind:
ELT battery, parachute, belts, TOST hook, 3000hr inspection, glider batteries. If you have a glider that needs new belts and a towhook, you are going to easily put $1200 into the glider right away.
Panel upgrades can be expensive, refinishes are even more expensive. A fully restored Libelle could have $40,000 into it, but would probably not sell for that price. As the gliders get older the bushing and bearings begin to wear out. I have seen control surfaces need replacement.
I remember talking to one nameless pilot who was going to buy an Arcus and opted not to, kept his money in the market, and lost the amount he would have used to purchase the Arcus. He could have been money ahead had he purchased the Arcus and he would have an Arcus...But normally speaking I don't recommend looking at this as a wise money-making investment. I am not saying it is impossible I have done it in the past. The glider prices generally hold pretty well on a few generation old glider and many times they are sold for the same price they were purchased.
The shop quotes I have seen are over $25k for a 15m glider refinish. Add an interior and a new panel you could see that price again. Plus during the refinish items probably will be found that need replacing. Control bearings that you would not have been found before. So if you are buying a glider that needs a refinish you might want to factor in that cost. A poorly maintained glider is more prone to have more surprises.
If you already own the glider and budgeting if it is worth it to refinish. What is the cost to upgrade gliders instead? If you upgrade one generation you have only prolonged the need for a refinish. If you have a glider you are going to keep, many owners find it makes sense to refinish their current glider vs upgrading.
It's best to think of parts in Aircraft Units called AU instead of thousands of dollars. Now when you have the new canopy installed because you broke the last one it was only 5AU, it doesn't sound as bad.
The final consideration is the spouse tax, which varies between 1-200% of the purchase price. An anonymous pilot factored the cost of his new Discus 2b to include the cost of the new horse.
Garret Willat holds a flight instructor rating with over 8000 hours in sailplanes. His parents have owned Sky Sailing Inc. since 1979. He started instructing the day after his 18th birthday. Since then, Garret has represented the US Junior team in 2003 and 2005. He graduated from Embry-Riddle with a bachelor's degree in Professional Aeronautics. Garret represented the US Open Class team in 2008 and 2010 and the Club Class team in 2014. Garret has won 3 US National Championships.
