HOW LONG TO KEEP HER?

[penpal]

I have had a Freeman 32 Mk2 (1973) for 10 years, I replaced the engines in 2005, and done a lot of other work. However she is 35 years old and there is always something else to do, such as replace the cooker, a window maybe leaking, and little touch ups here and there. I keep her in Hythe and have enjoyed many a trip around the Solent. I am not sure whether she is good for crossing the channel, or going down to Devon, and am thinking of getting a younger boat, maybe less than 5 years old and possibly more suited for long distance cruising. The trouble is I am very fond of my old boat, but I am always working on a new project for her when I have no idea if she will make her 40th birthday, I guess no one knows how long a GRP boat will last. So chaps, what would you do? Get a new boat? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Nautorius]

If the stringers are well glassed in and the transom not rotten then the GRP boat will last longer than you. The biggest expense is the engines and considering they are only 3 years old I would want a few more seasons out of her. Also, newer boats are not always better...and a lot of newer boats need just as much TLC. Most of my sportscruisers have had leaking ports, cookers that packed up, faulty electrics so the maintenance is still there...even on an Aquador!

If it is still a solid boat with reliable engines then I would not hessitate to keep her and cross the channel. Presumably you have to get an insurance survey....was that clean?

Also in the current market yours will not depreciate half as much as some of the bigger girls so wait another year and then see.

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[hlb]

Dunno, how much money you got. Think with the price of fuel next year, you might as well just keep her and bumble about the Solent.

 

[penpal]

I have not got an insurance survey but it might be a good idea to spend out and at least know what i am dealing with. Thanks for the advise. At least I own my boat, if I go for another it is a loan. +

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

I have had my Gobbi 27 Sport for 14 years
tough a younger boat then your 40 year old Nelson which BTW is a fantastic boat, so its good keep on

 

[apollo]

Keep it - no brainer?

 

[Sixpence]

Agree with the others. It'll outlast you more likely, so keep it

 

[Medskipper]

I agree with most others, keep the boat, you most likely will have to give it away anyway, because no one wants to buy at the moment because of fuel costs. I know of people with young boats who still end up with a whole list of "to dos" at the end of the season, its the nature of the conditions that our boats live in!

Just for the record, I do not think you will have a problem crossing the channel in her, I crossed a number of times with my 30ft Sea Master! and her engines were 20 years old!

Barry

 

[Tugw]

My old Storebros 35 years old,still motors as smooth as a babies thingy,Wouldnt dream of getting rid.built like a brick whatsit.

Keep it--no question

 

[No Regrets]

A lovely boat to be cherished and kept IMHO.

 

[Sneds]

Have to agree with the others, I bought a £40k 6 year old boat last year and straight away spent £4k on it!Saying that shes spot on now, but the cost of maintenance every year is probably the same as yours, for the older boat, I bet you get more admiring glances than me /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Jedi celebrates her 40th next year, you are not the only old boat

 

[PCUK]

Pershilla will be 25 on may 3rd. That's the day the steel was delivered and we started work on her!!! She'll see me out!

 

[apollo]

Gosh, that makes me feel old, I remember reading the articles when you built it and the ones before on your Senior 31 in Calais!

How sad am I?

 

[apollo]

Why bother asking if you are already thinking of buying a Nimbus?

The Nimbus will need more money to keep than the Freeman, as the Freeman has new engines.

 

[penpal]

I have not decided on a Nimbus but I am going to test drive it! Looking for feed back.

 

[David_Jersey]

For purely financial reasons keep her.....buy another 2nd hand boat and yer risk buying someone else's problems, especially engine wise.....IMO you knowing those engines from new (and I presume looking after them!) is worth a lot of £££ notes.

IMO no reason why you can't go cross channel - if you want reassuarnce that she is holding together then a Survey will do no harm.

But if yer simply fancy a change of boat and can afford it, then why not?!

 

[apollo]

Agreed I used to own same model of Freeman and did several crossings to Holland in it.....and that was with 35year old engines.

 

[penpal]

What made you change boat?

 

[apollo]

I didnt have new engines in it and got fed up with topping up with oil all the time.

Loved the boat and if I were in your position would keep it every time.

You have new engines which on a motor boat is a pretty good position to be in!!

As others have said, if you buy a second hand Nimbus you are buying someone elses problems.

Buy the way, have seen your boat for sale on www.boatsforsale.com.

I suspect with the current market you will have to take a drop on the price and with those new engines, that would be a dumb decision after investing 10-20K.

Sit back and enjoy the boat.