I saw a boat and now...

[jezjez]

I was looking at wooden boats and dreaming that I might swap over from plastic becuase i am obviously more wealthy and have more spare time than I realised (haha), and i saw a little ship i thought was very pretty. I've just seen some recent photos of her and she's sadly deteriorated considerably and going to disappear completely if someone doesn't rescue her and soon. She's basically free to a good home now. What should I do? Save her from the grave or keep my pension? (I know nothing about boat maintenance).

 

[miket]

Give us some more info' on the boat in question and someone might be interested in taking it on.
If you don't know anything about timber boats (I assume it is timber) be wary of entering!!

 

[mikefleetwood]

Well, that's pretty much what I did!

1. Make sure she really is free - find proven previous owner to verify she's yours. It would be a crying shame to spend years/thousands doing her up only to have "owner" turn up and claim her!
2. Ignore most of your friends who will tell you you're wasting your time/money - suggest best option involves can of petrol + matches, etc. Find someone who build wooden boats, and loves them, get his opinion. You will probably find a friend and mentor, into the bargain.
3. Be prepared for the long haul. Mine is only a 16' fishing boat, but it's taken me a year, with at least a year to go!

Most of all, have a go, enjoy! You will know her inside-out by the time you are finished.

Good luck!

 

[jezjez]

she is for sale but the price reflects the current level of deterioration. I'm thinking - madly - of selling my perfectly useable plastic boat and buying this decaying hulk instead... talk me out of it, i beg you.

 

[mikefleetwood]

Nope!

It all depends on what you mean by "decaying hulk". If literally, then be careful. Is she in the water (afloat?) or sitting ashore? Are major timbers sound? Anything can be replaced (I think I would draw the line at the keel), but how much are you prepared to do. Planks "easy" to replace, stem, transome and ribs not too difficult (If I can do it, anyone can!). Can you do it yourself? If you have to involve a yard, cost will be out of all proportion to the boat value! Better get an experienced shipwright to guide you and you will soon learn what you need to know. Is there an engine (or just a rusty stain in the bilge?)? Old diesels go on for ever, but second-hand ones aren't too expensive if beyond repair. Sails? - you're on your own there, as I don't have them. I guess, if you can poke a finger through, you will need new ones.

Perhaps you could post some photos?

 

[oldharry]

[ QUOTE ]
What should I do? Save her from the grave or keep my pension? (I know nothing about boat maintenance).

[/ QUOTE ] Yes. But you won't be able to do both. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Porthandbuoy]

Go for it!

Ever heard the tale of the fox who lost his brush?

If you do, you will suffer years of regret, large bills and skinned knuckles. But when she hits the water and you take her for your, and her, first sail it will all be worth it.

 

[youngwrinkley]

I agree - go for it - its only 3 days to bonfire night!

And you are only young once!

Providing you pass her on in better condition than you found her in you will have done something for the world!

 

[Scarboroughsloop]

I like that philosophy, if only more people thought like that!

 

[Forbsie]

I would be asking - Does she need work below the waterline, above or both. If it's below or both then the first thing to ask yourself is where you can keep her for 10 years while you repair her.

Lack of knowledge isn't necessarily a reason not to do it. I'm living aboard a 1920's Pinnace while I replace the topsides and superstructure. I've no experience in wood at all apart from tidying up an old Sharpie and I'm loving the learning curve. I just hope I can get the foredeck and coachroof on before it gets cold. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Casey]

When I took on Kala Sona nearly six years ago she was in a fairly rotten state although she had been used until the previous year. She had rot in the beam shelf and the transom and was sadly neglected. I negotiated the price, had the beam shelf repairs done by the yard,and have now spent a lot of time bringing her up to something like scratch changing various worn out components. I have kept her sailing and have a glow of self satisfaction when I look at her now. I cannot quantify the joy I have had in sailing her around the Solent. She was my first boat and (probably) my last.

Alas, circumstances change and I feel that I now have to put her on the market to find something less time consuming but will keep me closer to home!

As soon as I have mastered the art of putting pictures onto the forum I will post a photograph of her.

 

[jezjez]

I'm touched by the thought of leaving something a little better than i found it. I'm worried by the idea of spending more money than the result is worth - although i know that doesn't matter really about money it's not how to value anything, and i'm afraid of doing what Caley said - all that work and love and then selling her on because of outside pressures. I think it would have to be for life, for me, although i know life has many htings to ask of us beyond possessions, albeit beautiful things.
I think i might be getting a bit sentimental and i haven't even had a drink. Oh, dear.
To be honest I haven't even been to see the boat as yet. I'm trying not to. I've been tempted by the picutres from the brokerage. The ones taken when she was in reasonable shape last year and then the latest ones. But my wife said we should go next week and see if we want to take her on.
We'll see what happens - I might just run away very quickly!

 

[Porthandbuoy]

Giving yourself a cooling off period isn't such a bad idea. Buying something in the first flush of excitement can work out to be an expensive lesson. The things to remember are :-

You're doing this for pleasure, not profit.
You'll be learning a whole new set of skills.
By the time you've finished you'll be the one offering advice to someone who "just saw a boat . . ."

 

[Lakesailor]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm thinking - madly - of selling my perfectly useable plastic boat and buying this decaying hulk instead...

[/ QUOTE ] If you don't have a way of getting out on the water, then I would say no, you need to keep the dream alive and a half dead hulk in your driveway will not inspire you to get on with the job. A decent sail on a lovely day will.

 

[ECSTASEA]

go for it.....

 

[Searush]

Could you manage a small day-sailer/ trailer-sailer as well as the project? Something cheap and low maintenace (relatively) to help you remember why you are involved in the project.

Also, go & see it with a surveyor/ boat builder determined to see it as it is. Brokers are selling dreams, surveyors are more likely to burst that bubble. If you still want it; so be it, but you should have some ammo for negotiation to cover unexpected costs and your little plastic escape pod for when you hit the big problems.

Questions to ask; Which would I regret more, buying it or missing it? List positives & negatives of both choices, you may find the lists very revealing!

Good luck, whatever you decide