laid up for 4 years; worth considering?

[snappy]

what does the panel think? I have come across a forlorn and forgotten GRP cruiser which has been neglected on the hard for over 4 years, no maintenance, props and engines never turned over. Engines are volvo TAMD 200hp but no idea whether they were properly winterised, could well be siezed and rusted. Any tips for testing condition apart from an expensive oil sampling? Or should I keep walking away from this money pit? thanks

 

[PCUK]

Ppobably OK if not left totally open.
Turn engines over with a large spanner on the crankshaft pulley nut to see whether they move.

 

[oldgit]

Be interesting to know what boat ferrinstance if a late 1980s Fairline Cornish or mebbe Princess 35 or something actually desirable then well worth bunging in a silly offer say £10/15/20k for the hull(if OK) and assume the engines are rebuilds.
If something oddball home finish jobby then bid as low as you want.A few years ago bid 25K on a boat that had been up for 60k in similar circumstances,owner did finally accept bid but too late as I had bought elsewhere.
However basically a pile of old rubbish is still a pile of old rubbisb no matter how cheap and as you said a money pit could await the unwary./forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[PCUK]

You should never be put off by a home build as although probably not as prettily finished, many are far stronger structurally, better engineered and laid out and designed for proper maintenance with accesible tanks etc. unlike many of the glossy production line toys that are turned out these days.

 

[oldgit]

"You should never be put off by a home build "
The important bit,the hull,would have been laid up up exactly the same as the big boys,if probably a bit out of date design wise.The interior will have been put together by somebody careful with their money otherwise you would buy fitted out already.
It will be pushing it a bit to hope that that the home builder of your boat would be highly skilled in wiring/plumbing/hydraulics/carpentry and marine engineering ie lining up gearboxes and shafts etc .
The choice of interior materials and layout will almost certain be highly idiosyncratic to say the least with more than a few formica and dark oak decors coming to mind.
If a major boat builder produces a ill handling cramped over/underpowered disaster the world knows about it,the home builder gets to bury his experiment in the for sale ads /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif