Doing old boats up.j

[Puffin10032]

How much original timber is there going to be in any wooden boat over 100 years old? Yes, Tally Ho is a bit of a Tigger's broom, but I reckon she's still the same boat.

As for being paid for by everyone else, when he started, he'd do a couple of months on Tally Ho, then go back to the UK to work in a boatyard to earn money for the next bit. YouTube earnings allowed him to continue rebuilding, and to a much higher standard than would have been possible otherwise, but that's because he got very good at his new career as a cameraman, presenter and editor, which isn't easy. If it looks effortless, it's because of the considerable effort that's been put into it. I know I couldn't do it.

I think Leo has done a fantastic job. Whether one thinks the boat is still the old Tally Ho is matter of opinion and probably not worth arguing over. All I know is that she's a lot easier on the eye than some plastic monstrosity but perhaps I'm a bit biased towards more traditional craft.

 

[Stemar]

I think Leo has done a fantastic job. Whether one thinks the boat is still the old Tally Ho is matter of opinion and probably not worth arguing over. All I know is that she's a lot easier on the eye than some plastic monstrosity but perhaps I'm a bit biased towards more traditional craft.

As the owner of some plastic monstrosity, I totally agree.

I have the same outlook towards wooden boats as I do to dogs. I love them far too much to inflict on one the level of care I'm prepared to invest. Pushing the animal comparison yet further, the old joke about dogs having owners, while cats have staff also applies, I reckon plastic boats have owners, wooden boats have staff.

 

[oldharry]

why cannot the humble owner of a Macwester 26 bring back from the grave his boat equally of value to him and at least getting him afloat ?

Nothing whatsoever to stop him, except the significant investement in time and money compared to the cost of buying one in usable condition. Google AI sets the cost of a Macwester 26 at between £2500 and £9500. Clearly at the top end you should expect something in pretty good condition, well maintained, and with equipment, engine and gear all in good working order with a reasonable life expectancy, and equipped with a respectable range of reasonably up to date, or at least recent electronics.

At the other end of the scale at £2500 you can expect little more than a hull which will actually remain afloat, a suit of sails which will at least keep you moving off the wind, and an engine which, if it works at all, cannot be relied on. So on current prices £5K fior ane engine, probably at least £4k for sails and rigging - a lot more if the spars are knackered, and you havent started on the leaking fittings, the mildewed interior the soggy mattresses, the wiring. Then repalcing the electrnics, if they exist..

Yes if you already own the hull, you dont have to find the intial outlay, bit it's still not financially viable against buying a good used example.

I know of someone who spent over £30k on bringing a 24 footer up to near boatshow condition. It eventually sold for less than 20% of his cash investment. He had long since lost track of how many hours labour he spent on it, so the cash value of his time could not be assessed.

There is just no way a 'doer-upper' is viable in the modern boating world in the way us older sailors used to do up our old wooden boats to get a few more seasons out of them.

But people can become very attached to their boats, so theres absolutely no reason why the owner of a battered old Macwester 26 that has sentimental value, should not spend as much time and money on it as he wants. As long as she realises he will never recoup his investment. ( and no, that's not a typo!)

But then we all know sailing is like standing under a cold shower tearing up £20 notes - or allowing for modern costs and inflation, should that now be £50 notes?!

 

[Wansworth]

Nothing whatsoever to stop him, except the significant investement in time and money compared to the cost of buying one in usable condition. Google AI sets the cost of a Macwester 26 at between £2500 and £9500. Clearly at the top end you should expect something in pretty good condition, well maintained, and with equipment, engine and gear all in good working order with a reasonable life expectancy, and equipped with a respectable range of reasonably up to date, or at least recent electronics.

At the other end of the scale at £2500 you can expect little more than a hull which will actually remain afloat, a suit of sails which will at least keep you moving off the wind, and an engine which, if it works at all, cannot be relied on. So on current prices £5K fior ane engine, probably at least £4k for sails and rigging - a lot more if the spars are knackered, and you havent started on the leaking fittings, the mildewed interior the soggy mattresses, the wiring. Then repalcing the electrnics, if they exist..

Yes if you already own the hull, you dont have to find the intial outlay, bit it's still not financially viable against buying a good used example.

I know of someone who spent over £30k on bringing a 24 footer up to near boatshow condition. It eventually sold for less than 20% of his cash investment. He had long since lost track of how many hours labour he spent on it, so the cash value of his time could not be assessed.

There is just no way a 'doer-upper' is viable in the modern boating world in the way us older sailors used to do up our old wooden boats to get a few more seasons out of them.

But people can become very attached to their boats, so theres absolutely no reason why the owner of a battered old Macwester 26 that has sentimental value, should not spend as much time and money on it as he wants. As long as she realises he will never recoup his investment. ( and no, that's not a typo!)

But then we all know sailing is like standing under a cold shower tearing up £20 notes - or allowing for modern costs and inflation, should that now be £50 notes?!

Yes that’s all reasonable but maybe our wannabe navigator only has 3000 quid ,he can make a start and bit by bit get afloat properly although there is nothing to stop him drifting about with raggy sails or unreliable engine as those navigators of the 1960s did…..it’s very much a personel opinion whether it’s “ worth “doing

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Yes that’s all reasonable but maybe our wannabe navigator only has 3000 quid ,he can make a start and bit by bit get afloat properly although there is nothing to stop him drifting about with rage sails or unreliable engine as those navigators of the 1960s did…..it’s very much a personel opinion whether it’s “ worth “doing

For every one person that you can find that would be prepared to do what you suggest there will be hundreds that won't. Then again in the UK someone with £3000 to spend on a wreck then has to purchase insurance and berthing costs which will be between a few hundred pounds if he can find a mooring ( unlikely) to even a couple of thousand in a marina. You are living in a dream world.

 

[Wansworth]

For every one person that you can find that would be prepared to do what you suggest there will be hundreds that won't. Then again in the UK someone with £3000 to spend on a wreck then has to purchase insurance and berthing costs which will be between a few hundred pounds if he can find a mooring ( unlikely) to even a couple of thousand in a marina. You are living in a dream world.

I guess so,it was basically an interlectual interest ,not living in the Uk I have no idea of the reality now………here in Spain my 5000 euro yacht on a marina berth still giving pleasure although not actually sailing yet

 

[oldharry]

.. that explains it. the reality is costly moorings, sky high yard fees, over priced chandlery and shortage of space.

There's a very good reason why old boats are so cheap in UK nowadays. Anyone who can afford the running costs wants something that reflects their annual investment.