Is This a Shoddy Repair Job???

Forget about what they have done, the corroded plates need replacing and the mast compression post checking then the rigging setting up whilst checking the deck and mast foot. It sounds a lot but isn't all the shop has done is to put an additional plate over the corroded plates, that is not a repair it's an attempt at a cosmetic bodge.
 
If it is a Westerly Storm then a reasonable one would be about £33 if it's a Tempest a bit less so considering what you have said about the boat I would say it has to come in at about £20K to make it worth buying
 
if already bought the boat, id bite the bullet and get it home and fix it yourself or get someone who knows what they doing to. in a year or two it will be a bad memory but youll be enjoying the boat by then
 
Repairs a real bodge, I would get it home and get a new stainless post made, I would expect this about £400 and fit it myself, not a hard job it’s only a post. Guys on YouTube have just do this, worth a watch
 
Fr J Hackett said:
OK you are set on the boat I can't remember which Westerly she is but she will be sound but need some TLC and the chainplates have been mentioned. I wouldn't take a word of what the surveyor has supposedly said as true or worth the paper it was written on.
The engine is new I think you said and it looks like it I very much doubt that it has frozen in a winter so it should be good with standard maintenance prior to leaving, you could get away with engine oil, impeller fuel filters and check the fuel ( carry spares of all those things)
The mast bodge will be OK for the journey my main concern would be the standing rigging there is no indication of its age or condition.
Providing the basic electrics and lights work and you sort the shaft seal you should be good to go.
Now am I right that the boat is in Zeebrugge and you intend to move it to Amsterdam? If this is correct then it can be done virtually all the way by the standing mast canal route which means that you don't have to go to sea. a couple or 3 easy days.
I suspect both you and the owners son have been taken for a ride by the company doing the work as neither of you have any real idea of the problems, they may even have charged the guy €2K but I doubt it perhaps they have told him they will do a cheap job and he has been happy to go along with it.
Would I buy it as is? No not unless it was 50% cheaper than a comparable poorly maintained example of the same boat, you needed your own surveyor with a report you could understand and talk over with him.
My advice is get more off the price to allow you to appoint a surveyor of your own and spend at least €2K on it or walk away and treat it as a learning experience before you find yourself in a money pit.
Click to expand...

Standing rigging is good. Replaced 2019.
Engine was supposedly 'winterized' before it sat.
Electronics are a mess. VHF has 'almost' broken headset wire. Cockpit electronics not working at all. No wind speed or direction. No depth. New looking instruments. But not connected. Hopefully working. Charging is good. Batteries are good. No navigation except working manual compass in cockpit (looks new) and GPS on my phone. Have a backup phone for GPS.

BTW, Standing Mast Canal. How many locks (sluises) are there? And how much of a pain are they for a novice (though reasonably conscientious) solo sailor?

Fr J Hackett said:
Is it a storm? if so is it the cruising version.
Click to expand...

Yep, a Storm. Not sure which version.
Mast height is hard to guess by looking :)
 
The Real Flipper said:
Standing rigging is good. Replaced 2019.
Engine was supposedly 'winterized' before it sat.
Electronics are a mess. VHF has 'almost' broken headset wire. Cockpit electronics not working at all. No wind speed or direction. No depth. New looking instruments. But not connected. Hopefully working. Charging is good. Batteries are good. No navigation except working manual compass in cockpit (looks new) and GPS on my phone. Have a backup phone for GPS.



Yep, a Storm. Not sure which version.
Mast height is hard to guess by looking :)
Click to expand...

OK I have said what a "trouble free" one would fetch everything you are saying says that apart from the osmosis which has been discussed can be fixed for not a lot of money and if I am right about the location have you thought about the canal route you can get her home easily with little if any risk. So make a judgement on what you are paying and what you will have after a few thousand and some work all of which is doable by anyone that has a little mechanical knowledge.
It will be a steep learning curve for you Both the maintenance and sailing the Storm would not normally be an inexperienced single handers first boat, keep her reefed till you understand her and stick to the Dutch big inland waters for your first sailing trips.
Don't sweat over the keel bolts if there is no sign of movement the most you should do is get one drawn professionally over the winter and judge its condition.
Could be a good boat just needs someone to put it straight and look after it.
 
Just to clarify, you have not actually paid for the boat yet? if that is the case, deduct another 1k to pay for the engine to be checked thoroughly, the fuel changed and the shaft seal replaced. Then it should be OK to motor along the canals - but do take somebody with you. Then join the Westerly Owners Association and find out all about the ins and outs of the boat. You can't be the first person who has experienced the problems with the mast step and I am sure there will be a well tested fix. Do not even think about going to sea with the boat as it is now with your (lack) of experience.

Take your time with the boat. You will get the reward for doing it properly with the years of good service you will get in the future.
 
Tranona said:
Just to clarify, you have not actually paid for the boat yet? if that is the case, deduct another 1k to pay for the engine to be checked thoroughly, the fuel changed and the shaft seal replaced. Then it should be OK to motor along the canals - but do take somebody with you. Then join the Westerly Owners Association and find out all about the ins and outs of the boat. You can't be the first person who has experienced the problems with the mast step and I am sure there will be a well tested fix. Do not even think about going to sea with the boat as it is now with your (lack) of experience.

Take your time with the boat. You will get the reward for doing it properly with the years of good service you will get in the future.
Click to expand...
Wise words Tranona , May I just add, I read both the thread the op have posted now my suggestions is if you not brought the boat , cut you loses and move on and find a more suitable boat in better condition, your experiences of owning and maintaining boat tell me that other then this been your dream boat it can easily beck you night mare .
 
Well a £20k boat is not to be sniffed at if the surveyor can give you some indication what else is going to require £ £ spending and when.. I should have a chat with him/her
Best luck
 
KevinV said:
If you do have another survey done, or the original reappears - I'm fluent in Dutch and could translate for you if that helps?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer. I will ask again about that survey. He has to see the boat again per agreement so I'll ask him to write it up again at that time. I did pay for it after all.
 
Surely this is a no brainer?
- tell the vendor that you are not satisfied with the repair, have never received a satisfactory survey and already know there is ~€850 worth of work to do on the engine to get it in a condition where you can even move the boat so you cannot proceed with the sale.

The vendor then has a choice - to moan about you wasting his time and go find another buyer (who if they are switched on is still going to price to reflect condition) or come back with an offer to negotiate a reasonable cost reduction. Presumably, he is currently paying storage costs so the longer he takes to sort it, the less money he makes. It may be that he has paid till end Sept (that wouldn't be unusual in the UK) but that is not that far away to find a new buyer, them to get it surveyed, then get any issues fixed, then actually complete a transaction.
 
Concerto said:
These details might help identify which version of the Storm it is.
Storm 33 - Westerly-Wiki

To join the Westerly Owners Association is £22.50 pa for non UK based members.
What WOA can do for you
Click to expand...

OK, I joined. 17.50 pounds fine. Checkout 22.50 pounds for you foreigners. Fine. Give credit card. 32.76 pounds charged. 10.26 Royal Mail fee. FINE.

Tranona said:
Just to clarify, you have not actually paid for the boat yet? if that is the case, deduct another 1k to pay for the engine to be checked thoroughly, the fuel changed and the shaft seal replaced. Then it should be OK to motor along the canals - but do take somebody with you. Then join the Westerly Owners Association and find out all about the ins and outs of the boat. You can't be the first person who has experienced the problems with the mast step and I am sure there will be a well tested fix. Do not even think about going to sea with the boat as it is now with your (lack) of experience.

Take your time with the boat. You will get the reward for doing it properly with the years of good service you will get in the future.
Click to expand...

I put down 3,000 Euros. And invested 1,000 Euros so far.
But haven't signed off on this repair to officially buy it yet.
Thinking of asking them to do it again and properly, since it is in our purchase contract.

BTW, got an estimate of 950 Euros plus cranes for transport, which sounds cheap compared to your costs.
Tempting. Would be wonderful to just have it home and be able to refit as you've suggested a few times, in my own time.
Learning the boat as I go.

Fr J Hackett said:
Is he a member of an approved surveyors association?
Click to expand...

Doubt it. He was a marina owner for years. And used by vendor as surveyor in other deals.
Vendor has been selling more expensive yachts for 25 years.
 
The Real Flipper said:
OK, I joined. 17.50 pounds fine. Checkout 22.50 pounds for you foreigners. Fine. Give credit card. 32.76 pounds charged. 10.26 Royal Mail fee. FINE.



I put down 3,000 Euros. And invested 1,000 Euros so far.
But haven't signed off on this repair to officially buy it yet.
Thinking of asking them to do it again and properly, since it is in our purchase contract.

Don't think about , tell them your not happy and won't buy unless it's done to a spec your happy with

BTW, got an estimate of 950 Euros plus cranes for transport, which sounds cheap compared to your costs.
Tempting. Would be wonderful to just have it home and be able to refit as you've suggested a few times, in my own time.
Learning the boat as I go.

i would say if you are going to buy it (I wouldn't with the little knowledge you know about boats ) is have it transported at that prove

Doubt it. He was a marina owner for years. And used by vendor as surveyor in other deals.
Vendor has been selling more expensive yachts for 25 years.

Basically it's just another person option you may just as well ask the guy with the boat moor next door for his option .
Click to expand...
 
Fr J Hackett said:
Are you keeping the boat in Amsterdam? Many Dutch and all the professional ones I have met speak and write in English.
Click to expand...

Yeah I know right? And he spoke English just fine come to think of it.

ylop said:
Surely this is a no brainer?
- tell the vendor that you are not satisfied with the repair, have never received a satisfactory survey and already know there is ~€850 worth of work to do on the engine to get it in a condition where you can even move the boat so you cannot proceed with the sale.

The vendor then has a choice - to moan about you wasting his time and go find another buyer (who if they are switched on is still going to price to reflect condition) or come back with an offer to negotiate a reasonable cost reduction. Presumably, he is currently paying storage costs so the longer he takes to sort it, the less money he makes. It may be that he has paid till end Sept (that wouldn't be unusual in the UK) but that is not that far away to find a new buyer, them to get it surveyed, then get any issues fixed, then actually complete a transaction.
Click to expand...

Yeah really. I need to have another chat with vendor.
I was dropped a 500 Euro prop shaft leak surprise, a 550 engine service surprise, an emergency lift right back out of water that I'm expected to pay. And now I'm being handed a mast support repair which is shoddy by all estimates, after most of a summer's wait.

By Fr J Hacket's numbers which are pretty close to my own first estimates, I'm still getting a 'reasonably' good deal on the boat.
It just seems that this straw that's breaking the camel's back, a highly questionable mast support repair is in fact not a straw but a potentially pretty big deal.

I wonder how outrageous it would be to demand they just fix the mast support again.
After all it is in the contract. And they can argue they didn't know about the prop shaft leak, which seems reasonable that they didn't know...
 
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