Hello, and A Question

[Mike Latiolais]

Hi,
My name is Mike. I've owned a few small boats in my time, and I've always had a dream of restoring a larger sailboat to do some offshore sailing with my kids. Part of the desire is for the restoration project(to help them gain some real world skills) and part of it is to have a boat we can really call our own.
I recently ran across an older boat sitting in a slip during one of my random journeys, and it was in pretty bad shape. However, I discovered that the owner was looking to sell. I only have limited information about it, and two photos that I snapped while walking by. It's a 56ft boat, and it was made in 1984. Judging by the damage I saw, it would be a huge project to get this boat seaworthy again. Not pretty , necessarily, but functional. Judging by the two photos I snapped, do you guys think this would be worth even approaching the owner about? Also, I have no idea about the interior, as the slip was locked, but I can't imagine, given that gap you can see where the deck has separated from that housing, that it is in good shape. The fact that it's still floating is about the only good thing I noticed. Thanks in advance for your time and comments.

 

[bustermin]

Re: Hello, and A Question

i guess the main thing i would consider is do you have the time and finances to complete the project? many many project boats are for sale because the person doesnt have the time or money to complete it. also as far as the fact that it is floating goes, there is a sail boat across the canal from me, it is in just as bad of shape as the boat you show, and it floats too, but if the power goes out it sinks to the bottom because the bilge cant pump the water out. luckly the water is only about 6' deep where the owner moores it and when the power comes back on the boat starts to float again, the bilge runs almost non stop. so i would try to take all these thing into consideration prior to purchasing it. also i would be willing to bet you wont see half the problems with the vessel until you start the demo.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Hello, and A Question

Well, it seems like the main reason you're looking at this boat is due to money... you're not able to pay the big bucks for a boat in better shape.

Just looking at the pics I'd suspect this boat needs a complete rebuild to be seaworthy... making it look good isnt' the expensive part, it's making it strong and safe enough to take out on the ocean.

But this boat won't save you much over others in better shape. Even doing all the work yourself, the cost for the materials to make this one useable will probably come close to just buying one in better shape that needs less work, or probably 80% the cost of buying one that needs little or no work.

It's a choice of where you spend the cash. If I got offered this boat for free I'd consider it, probably plan out what was needed to make it work for me. If I had to buy it, no. The cost of the boat is going to be much smaller than the repair cost.

If you're willing to put in as much work as this boat needs and the materials to fix it, I'd consider a scratch build... it'll be not even twice as much work and cost, and you'll have a brand new boat that's actually worth something at the end. Rent space to build it in if you like, that's what you'd be doing with this boat.

Right away you're going to be hit for some basic costs on a boat that size other than repairs.. slip cost is one, liability insurance is another (even not running, if it's in the water it could break free and sink, blocking a channel or leaking oil).

So if you're in love with that particular boat for some reason you can go ahead, but if you just want a similar sailboat I'd look around some more... in this economy there are others for sale that need far less work and that will end up costing similar amounts of money.

Erik

 

[Mike Latiolais]

Re: Hello, and A Question

Good points. Thank you both for your responses.

No, money was not the main consideration here. There are several catamarans I've been looking at that are ready to sail, and would likely end up costing less in the long run. This is meant to be a large work project my kids and I can do together over the next few years.

I'm mostly just curious if this looks like a project someone on this forum would even consider, regardless of the initial cost of acquiring the boat. If I were to go ahead with something of this nature, the boat would be moved onto land and into a shop where my kids and I would have access to work on it over the next few years. Realistically, I think it's just too big to consider, and I should probably be looking at a boat I could trailer as my project goal.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Hello, and A Question

Out of my league! Yacht Dr works on boats that big and he will probably pop in with some great advice

Good luck.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Hello, and A Question

Okay, given that info, this boat might be a good one for you.

It always sucks to pick out a project, spend a ton of time on making it look great, then finding out it won't work for what you wanted to do. So do consider carefully what size boat you want to have and what you want it for, then get the right size for your use.

People on this board have done many projects in much worse shape than this with varying degrees of success. It's doable, almost any boat repair is. The questions we try to get people to answer are the ones about whether it's what they want to do, and to find out whether their expectations for doing the work and cost are reasonable.

If I had a space to work on one, right now I'd probably be shopping for a 60-ish footer in similar shape (for a cheap initial purchase price) to rebuild as a live aboard dive boat. If you aren't hurrying to be on the water, the rebuild process can be a lot of fun.

Personally I like this hull for the ability to feel the sea, but the cats do tend to prevent a lot of seasick moments

Erik

 

[Mike Latiolais]

Re: Hello, and A Question

If I had a space to work on one, right now I'd probably be shopping for a 60-ish footer in similar shape (for a cheap initial purchase price) to rebuild as a live aboard dive boat. If you aren't hurrying to be on the water, the rebuild process can be a lot of fun.
Erik

A live aboard dive boat? Now you are singing my tune!

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Hello, and A Question

Hello Mike..

There is alot to look at to determine if its a good investment .

Also what are your mechanical skills like..tool supply .. etc.

Find out what make the boat is .. how much to buy.. check the numbers.

Id look at the rigging and mast. How many and what condition the Sail suit is.

The condition of the hull wouldnt worry "me" ( I do big glass jobs ).. cutting ply and glassing..no biggie ..

Replacing rigging, sails, lifeline and hardware in general will get expensive FAST m8.

Lastly..Ive sailed the Carribean .. You have to have the water in your blood m8..not just in your dreams. You have to become good crew b4 coming a good captain IMO. There are LOADS of things you should learn.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Royces-Sailing-Illustrated/Patrick-M-Royce/e/9780911284072

The best book ( series now ) IMHO.

If you want a good project that will teach you everything about a boat.. this is one would do that.

If you want to go offshore sailing with your family..that is something that should be scratched off the list of why to buy this.

Personally..I would suggest getting into a smaller sloop rig.

YD.

 

[Mike Latiolais]

Re: Hello, and A Question

Thanks, Yacht Dr!

I have pretty much settled on finding something smaller and less challenging to be the work project. I think I have the ability, in addition to having access to the help of several others with more than the ability to finish a project like this. But, upon reflection, I don't think it would pay off in time to keep the kids' attention.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Hello, and A Question

Cheers mike..

I think you made a good choice for good reason m8.

Trailer sailboats are very fun ( I just saw a catalina on trailer for 3k ) .. for a weekend boater thats all you need to learn and teach .

.... now Im getting the sailboat fever again...good people those blowboaters are

regards..YD.