One step back in boat buying

[Wansworth]

On the visit to Sada we had another look at the Beneteau 26 with its lifting keel……except it didn’t,solidly fixed and would not wind up or downWife doesn’t like the look of the silver foil insulation in the cabin .The late owner a Frenchman stopped in Sada before making an Atlantic return trip and lived aboard in Sada so I suspect he stuck insulation up over the existing lining.

 

[veshengro]

" so I suspect he stuck insulation up over the existing lining."

They say every cloud has a silver lining, but maybe under that silver lining is a cloud..of mouldy head lining. And with a stuck keel, I'd give that one a miss, I think.

 

[Wansworth]

" so I suspect he stuck insulation up over the existing lining."

They say every cloud has a silver lining, but maybe under that silver lining is a cloud..of mouldy head lining. And with a stuck keel, I'd give that one a miss, I think.

Yes

 

[Bouba]

You are buying in the bargain basement section of the second hand market....these boats are being sold cheaply because they aren’t worth maintaining if they aren’t being used. You need a boat that’s fresh to market, something someone has only just given up sailing on....or...you must be prepared to do the work yourself. And let’s face it....you are going to have to do the same work to maintain it as you would do for the remedial work.

 

[Wansworth]

You are buying in the bargain basement section of the second hand market....these boats are being sold cheaply because they aren’t worth maintaining if they aren’t being used. You need a boat that’s fresh to market, something someone has only just given up sailing on....or...you must be prepared to do the work yourself. And let’s face it....you are going to have to do the same work to maintain it as you would do for the remedial work.

I agree but this particular boat is onthe market because the French owner died.Looking about it seems a good solid boat but a jammed lifting keel does put the dampers on it .Its noticeable now that Spring has sprung prices are dropping .If I had say 20,O00 top slash out I would have a much better choice but my commitments are such that boat buying has to take third place!

 

[Bouba]

I agree but this particular boat is onthe market because the French owner died.Looking about it seems a good solid boat but a jammed lifting keel does put the dampers on it .Its noticeable now that Spring has sprung prices are dropping .If I had say 20,O00 top slash out I would have a much better choice but my commitments are such that boat buying has to take third place!

It’s not budget...it’s timing. You need to put the word out in the ports that you have cash and can move quickly...for the right boat

 

[DreadShips]

You are buying in the bargain basement section of the second hand market....these boats are being sold cheaply because they aren’t worth maintaining if they aren’t being used. You need a boat that’s fresh to market, something someone has only just given up sailing on....or...you must be prepared to do the work yourself. And let’s face it....you are going to have to do the same work to maintain it as you would do for the remedial work.

You're not going to be doing the same work unless somebody breaks in and plasters the cabin with a load of that insulation you stick behind radiators...

I'm as happy to joke with Wansworth as anybody, but this sounds like one to walk away from. The vibes aren't right, and if that's the case then it'll be hard to keep the enthusiasm needed to get it back into proper order. It's very different to a boat where you can really see the potential and every bit of work moves you closer to that. You need to be excited about it to get you through the hard bits.

Edited to add that the suggestion Wansworth lets it be known the right boat will be snapped up for cash might throw up a few leads. Just make sure they don't read this forum!

 

[Wansworth]

The nearest I could get to that would be an add on the various marina notice boards…..it’s an idea.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

He's not going to be doing any work.

 

[LittleSister]

On the visit to Sada we had another look at the Beneteau 26 with its lifting keel……except it didn’t,solidly fixed and would not wind up or down . . . .

It seems to me that the keel being jammed up (and the boat being untidy, I think you said) could be a strong negotiating point (along with whatever the sale raises probably being viewed by the inheritors as 'free money' but in danger of being whittled away way by storage costs). If you could somehow arrange to purchase subject to you being able to free the keel, you could be on to a winner.

From a quick Google search of 'Beneteau lifting keel stuck' (which also pulled up the same problem on other makes) it seems that it is not common but by no means unknown, and when stuck in the up position is typically caused by barnacle growth between the keel and case (which would seem a likely candidate as I think you mentioned the boat had sat immobile for a long time) or stones getting jammed in there (perhaps more likely if the keel is lifted while the boat is aground?). This can be seen when trying to wind it down it forces the screw upwards (beyond the case or mounting?).

One post I read reported clearing barnacles or rust that jammed a lifting keel up (on a different marque?) by using saw blade that had the kerfs ground off (so it only cuts forward and not to the side), and deploying said saw either through the top of the keel case if that is removable, or from below with the boat in slings, to separate the keel from the case. Other cases (with stones?) were reported as being freed by the application of a bit of 'persuasion' (brute force) in the form of hammering That doesn't sound too challenging.

But what of the silver foil headlining that so offends Señora Wansworth, I hear you say. To which I say imagine, if you will, that you are in a few weeks time cruising across the rias to some fine anchorage in it, the boat lifting to the swell and cutting through the waves in the sunshine, but suffering occasionally noticing the ugliness of the foil headline and thinking you will have to do something about it next winter (though familiarity, or the application of a little vino tinto to the crew, might render it less offensive), and compare that to spending yet another season (of the few you realistically have left) trawling through the ads and getting ribbed mercilessly on here. There is no contest, surely?

As someone used to regularly say to me in another context, 'The good is the enemy of the best'. This amusingly can be read to mean either/both that seeking something only adequate can stop us from achieving something great, or that settling for something adequate is preferable to aiming for, but failing to achieve, perfection.

 

[wonkywinch]

I don't know what sort of lifting keel Beneteau would have fitted but we have a 2016 Oceanis and the lifting/swing keel mechanism is very simple.

The keel is a blade that swings through around 80 degrees pivoted by a single bolt at the forward end of the keel box and lifted/lowered by 100 turns on a threaded rod.

It's easy to remove the rod with the keel lowered and by removing the plastic cover from the box in the saloon and unwinding the rod, you could easily tap the keel from above with a length of wood and a mallet.

The boat needs to be in slings to service the keel.

Of course your one might be entirely different and I'm talking bolleaux.

 

[ChromeDome]

The nearest I could get to that would be an add on the various marina notice boards…..it’s an idea.

Use Facespace Marketplace. Done in minutes without leaving your sofa.
It's a horrible place, but it appears to work.

Facebook

 

[Wansworth]

It seems to me that the keel being jammed up (and the boat being untidy, I think you said) could be a strong negotiating point (along with whatever the sale raises probably being viewed by the inheritors as 'free money' but in danger of being whittled away way by storage costs). If you could somehow arrange to purchase subject to you being able to free the keel, you could be on to a winner.

From a quick Google search of 'Beneteau lifting keel stuck' (which also pulled up the same problem on other makes) it seems that it is not common but by no means unknown, and when stuck in the up position is typically caused by barnacle growth between the keel and case (which would seem a likely candidate as I think you mentioned the boat had sat immobile for a long time) or stones getting jammed in there (perhaps more likely if the keel is lifted while the boat is aground?). This can be seen when trying to wind it down it forces the screw upwards (beyond the case or mounting?).

One post I read reported clearing barnacles or rust that jammed a lifting keel up (on a different marque?) by using saw blade that had the kerfs ground off (so it only cuts forward and not to the side), and deploying said saw either through the top of the keel case if that is removable, or from below with the boat in slings, to separate the keel from the case. Other cases (with stones?) were reported as being freed by the application of a bit of 'persuasion' (brute force) in the form of hammering That doesn't sound too challenging.

But what of the silver foil headlining that so offends Señora Wansworth, I hear you say. To which I say imagine, if you will, that you are in a few weeks time cruising across the rias to some fine anchorage in it, the boat lifting to the swell and cutting through the waves in the sunshine, but suffering occasionally noticing the ugliness of the foil headline and thinking you will have to do something about it next winter (though familiarity, or the application of a little vino tinto to the crew, might render it less offensive), and compare that to spending yet another season (of the few you realistically have left) trawling through the ads and getting ribbed mercilessly on here. There is no contest, surely?

As someone used to regularly say to me in another context, 'The good is the enemy of the best'. This amusingly can be read to mean either/both that seeking something only adequate can stop us from achieving something great, or that settling for something adequate is preferable to aiming for, but failing to achieve, perfection.

According to the yacht club after the passing of the owner they hoisted the boat out and dropped the keel put it back and cleaned the bottom and anti fouled.The problem may well lie in how itwas put back?Theinsulating material might be easier to solve.Mrswantsto know what’s behind it and quite rightly you don’t want a load of vile dangerous dust.I agreed with the club who are guardians for them to allow us to take some down.The winding gear for the keel needs an explanation by who did the work ……

 

[Wansworth]

I don't know what sort of lifting keel Beneteau would have fitted but we have a 2016 Oceanis and the lifting/swing keel mechanism is very simple.

The keel is a blade that swings through around 80 degrees pivoted by a single bolt at the forward end of the keel box and lifted/lowered by 100 turns on a threaded rod.

It's easy to remove the rod with the keel lowered and by removing the plastic cover from the box in the saloon and unwinding the rod, you could easily tap the keel from above with a length of wood and a mallet.

The boat needs to be in slings to service the keel.

Of course your one might be entirely different and I'm talking bolleaux.

View attachment 191804

View attachment 191805

Any info is useful

 

[Daydream believer]

It’s not budget...it’s timing. You need to put the word out in the ports that you have cash and can move quickly...for the right boat

Quickly?
Wansy?
Right

 

[Wansworth]

Quickly?
Wansy?
Right

It’s all about persuasion……persuading the wife its a good little boat and persuading the keel to go up or down

 

[Fr J Hackett]

If he took the boat to the Caribbean I suspect he stuck the foil material on in the hope of it forming some sort of insulation against the heat. As for the keel it needs to be in slings to have a look at it and probably isn't as big a problem as it seems, if they are going to let you peel back some of the foil perhaps they will agree afterwards to lifting and sorting the keel on the basis of once done you will buy the boat.

 

[ChromeDome]

Will you ever raise the keel where you will be sailing?

 

[Blueboatman]

It seems to me that the keel being jammed up (and the boat being untidy, I think you said) could be a strong negotiating point (along with whatever the sale raises probably being viewed by the inheritors as 'free money' but in danger of being whittled away way by storage costs). If you could somehow arrange to purchase subject to you being able to free the keel, you could be on to a winner.

From a quick Google search of 'Beneteau lifting keel stuck' (which also pulled up the same problem on other makes) it seems that it is not common but by no means unknown, and when stuck in the up position is typically caused by barnacle growth between the keel and case (which would seem a likely candidate as I think you mentioned the boat had sat immobile for a long time) or stones getting jammed in there (perhaps more likely if the keel is lifted while the boat is aground?). This can be seen when trying to wind it down it forces the screw upwards (beyond the case or mounting?).

One post I read reported clearing barnacles or rust that jammed a lifting keel up (on a different marque?) by using saw blade that had the kerfs ground off (so it only cuts forward and not to the side), and deploying said saw either through the top of the keel case if that is removable, or from below with the boat in slings, to separate the keel from the case. Other cases (with stones?) were reported as being freed by the application of a bit of 'persuasion' (brute force) in the form of hammering That doesn't sound too challenging.

But what of the silver foil headlining that so offends Señora Wansworth, I hear you say. To which I say imagine, if you will, that you are in a few weeks time cruising across the rias to some fine anchorage in it, the boat lifting to the swell and cutting through the waves in the sunshine, but suffering occasionally noticing the ugliness of the foil headline and thinking you will have to do something about it next winter (though familiarity, or the application of a little vino tinto to the crew, might render it less offensive), and compare that to spending yet another season (of the few you realistically have left) trawling through the ads and getting ribbed mercilessly on here. There is no contest, surely?

As someone used to regularly say to me in another context, 'The good is the enemy of the best'. This amusingly can be read to mean either/both that seeking something only adequate can stop us from achieving something great, or that settling for something adequate is preferable to aiming for, but failing to achieve, perfection.

Those are indeed wise words

 

[Blueboatman]

It’s the perfect boat
Because no one else will take it
So it’s now a £3k boat
And you don’t need to change the keel the headlining nor the outboard motor

If you don’t ask …

But, it’s academic