How much to spend to sell?

[Javelin]

I recently became the owner of a Macwester Seaforth.
My father has owned it for donkeys years and his advanced years have resulted in him relinquishing it to me.
The fact is it has sat in a yard for 10 years until he reached his decision to let her go.
A difficult decision I'm sure you can understand.

However these years of inactivity have not improved her.
I stuck her on a trailer and brought her up to Southwold and have spent some time emptying her and going over every inch.

The news is pretty good as she is, like most Macwesters, well built and solid and structurally she's as sound as a pound.
Cosmetically she needs a little help.
New headlining
New Upholstery
Either painted or re-gelled topsides
Treadmaster re stuck down
A few gel repairs here and there on the coach roof.
Electronics are very old
Interior wood needs a sand and varnish
Exterior wood, what there is of it, needs a bit of attention but mainly looks good.

The BIG question is, given that I'll do the work at my yard, is How much do I spend?
This is the boat,

 

[[3889]]

IME, no investment in a boat will bring a positive return and if you are after the best financial outcome then sell as is. You should not simply discount your labour, which could be used elsewhere more productively.
Of course, if there are more emotive issues at play, perfectly understandably, simple economics go out the window, but then there is no point in asking how much you should spend on refurbishment.

 

[Pete7]

None. Anything you do might be wasted and the new owner change, for example we all have our own favourite electronics but by replacing you would force the new owner to use your choice. Clean her up, remove anything not necessary and stick it on e bay. You get paid, someone gets a relative bargin and the opportunity to make good at their own pace rather than paying for all the mods up front.

Pete

 

[Javelin]

I guess I should point out that I have a MGRS34 which I love so funds raised will go into her.
In 15 years time I can see I'd go for the Macwester but right now I like my speed too much.

 

[pvb]

As others have said, spending any time or money on the Macwester won't be financially sensible. Just sell as is. There are lots of optimists about.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I think it's worth getting what's there as clean as you possibly can, but not worth adding anything.

 

[jerrytug]

The new buyer won't want to change the engine, so get it spotless and clip up loose wires and pipes etc. As said above, I wouldn't really buy anything, except cleaning products etc.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

It might be worth putting a reasonable battery on the boat so that the electrics can be checked by prospective buyers. It's also worth checking that the engine is working. Beyond that, as others have said, a good clean and tidy up.

 

[Daydream believer]

I reckon you will have to spend £ 400-00 for 2 skips & £ 350-00 for a days hire for a digger & driver for a day to smash it up
Might get back £ 150-00 for the cast iron keels & £100-00 - £400-00 for any other bits on EBay that you can get off easily. Might even get something for the mast
but act quickly otherwise you may have to spend on storage etc
Might break even with a bit of luck
:encouragement:

 

[bedouin]

I wouldn't spend more than £100. You need to service the engine and get that running. Then give everything a good clean and maybe a quick cosmetic patch up. If you have the free time then sanding and varnishing the interior woodwork is cheap, and at least filling any holes in the gelcoat.

Beyond that you will never get back any money you spend doing her up.

 

[duncan99210]

Look round at what other similar boats are going for the put it on eBay as is with a sensible reserve of around the average price. Clean it first perhaps but don't bother doing anything else to it.

 

[jac]

Clean properly, declutter.

To set her apart, bit of varnish and polish.

Get her well ventilated, run a dehumidifier inside and ensure no signs of any mould/mildew to ensure nothing to make people think she leaks/ is damp.

As others say, check that everything works, engine, electrics and fix anything cheap, blown bulbs/fuses etc. make sur they are clipped/tidy.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

You dont need to spend more than £200 to get the boat in a saleable condition; as others have said, a good clean, charged batteries, a bit of varnish, stick down the treadmaster, wash the deck with a power washer and clean the cabin using a bit of bleach to freshen it up a bit. You will be surprised how many people would love to have a Macwester Seaforth; its time more than money that you need.

 

[Javelin]

Many thanks for backing up exactly what my boss and my gut told me.
I'm going to do the headling anyway as I need to do my other boat as well so will buy enough for both.

Varnish, batteries and engine also on the list although I know the engine is in good nick.
Treadmaster is pretty easy as is the exterior wood.

Thought about prepping the hull and priming it ready for topcoat but maybe its not worth the effort.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Thought about prepping the hull and priming it ready for topcoat but maybe its not worth the effort.

I'd advise against it. A restoration project from scratch is generally more appealing than someone's half-done project, which always in any case raises the question "What did he discover that made him give up?"

Loved and looked after but worn will sell.

 

[jwilson]

I wouldn't spend more than £100. You need to service the engine and get that running. Then give everything a good clean and maybe a quick cosmetic patch up. If you have the free time then sanding and varnishing the interior woodwork is cheap, and at least filling any holes in the gelcoat.

Beyond that you will never get back any money you spend doing her up.

Agreed, clean, clean, clean, and have the engine ready to run with clean oil and a new filter, plus a decent charged battery to make it start easily if need be and let buyers see the electrics working. After that some satin varnish on the interior if you feel like the work, but no new kit.

 

[bedouin]

I would also be tempted by a new coat of anti-foul - nothing like that to make any boat look smarter out of the water.

 

[jac]

I would also be tempted by a new coat of anti-foul - nothing like that to make any boat look smarter out of the water.

+1

 

[30boat]

A guy at Ancasta once told me that red boats are the hardest to sell.If you're respraying her dark blue or white might be better.

 

[EuanMcKenzie]

don't know if you can get a labourer to work on her for a week or two for cash - that may be worth the investment

That would turn it round quickly and let you get it sold this spring

would the existing paint cut and polish? Looks better even with the lump and scratches on show

again clean, clean clean varnish polish and a make sure it all switches on and works - that's all