Rival 38 - Cheapish or not ?

[Lightwave395]

Just caught my eye, I'm personally not into this sort of boat but I believe they're solid ?

https://www.wightbay.com/newport/boats/rival-38a-6466684/

 

[Stemar]

They have a reputation for being bomb-proof. If I wanted to head off across oceans, I'd reckon she was worth a look, but I'd take whatever is the opposite of rose coloured glasses with me.

Possibly a bit dark and airless downstairs for the tropics, though?

 

[ashtead]

Seems to be missing a boom which might add to the cost-not certain I would choose for Solent sailing as might not be that manoverable but lots written on restoring the smaller Rival . Does it come with a medina mooring?

 

[doug748]

Yachtsnet have one "under offer" asking £33,500 which does not sound expensive. If it is what it seems, that boat is an outstanding bargain, well spotted Lightwave.

 

[RivalRedwing]

Likely a bargin if you have the time to bring it up to scratch.

 

[Kukri]

Just teaching Grandma but:

Be very careful in looking at any owner completed hull. There is always the chance of a few absurdities.

Don’t ask me how I know this.

But that’s why the price is where it is.

Strongly recommend engaging a surveyor familiar with Rivals (size of Rival makes no difference as they are all built in the same way).

 

[Supertramp]

They are great boats and age well when looked after. They are the sort of boat that makes 50yrs without major repairs.

As said, home completion is a risk but also the level of ongoing maintenance from the advert description. I would be looking very closely at below floors woodwork, wiring, seacocks, windows, engine, rudder bearings, sails etc. That bargain price could easily be eroded by catching up 10 years of neglect even if the main structure and fittings are sound. And it takes a lot of time (yours or a boatyard) to make seemingly minor repairs.

If the owner can't produce a credible list of ongoing maintenance items going back several years then there probably isn't any.

But they are a classic grp design that will look after you.

 

[Kukri]

^#7 - a lot of wisdom in that post.

 

[38mess]

'Sold as seen ' in big bold letters at the start of the add would put me off

 

[westhinder]

If the boat has been in the water for a long time, check carefully for osmosis. I had the problem on my Rival 34 when I bought her. I had her stripped, dried and epoxied and she is still going strong with her current owner. I loved that boat.
But if this 38 is basically sound, she will make a great boat if you want to do more than just sail from one south coast marina to the next. It could be a bargain, but beware for all the reasons given above

 

[geem]

They are great boats and age well when looked after. They are the sort of boat that makes 50yrs without major repairs.

As said, home completion is a risk but also the level of ongoing maintenance from the advert description. I would be looking very closely at below floors woodwork, wiring, seacocks, windows, engine, rudder bearings, sails etc. That bargain price could easily be eroded by catching up 10 years of neglect even if the main structure and fittings are sound. And it takes a lot of time (yours or a boatyard) to make seemingly minor repairs.

If the owner can't produce a credible list of ongoing maintenance items going back several years then there probably isn't any.

But they are a classic grp design that will look after you.

A friend bought a Rival 38 that had been home completed. It turned into a massive job. Lots of problems. He ended up completely gutting it including bulkheads. Total and utter refit. It got a set of the original drawings and basically started again. Took about 10 years!

 

[Poignard]

My wife caught me looking at the Rival advert. and unkindly reminded me of my age.

Had she not, I would have gone and had a look at that boat!

 

[Keith 66]

Looking at the photos it looks very well fitted out, Many home built boats are far better than yard built, its what its like now.
Is the wiring & other systems up to the same standard? Engine? Rigging? sails?
Be interesting to know the back story as to why its being sold off at what appears to be a bargain price.
As someone who has done a major refit on a similar age boat (Sabre 27) you could easily throw many thousands at that boat,
You could blow 30 k on sails engine rigging & electronics in no time. Hopefully you wont have to!

 

[Blueboatman]

Well I would haul the boat @ my own expense or by negotiation before looking at anything else on it. Osmosis free epoxied hull and lower topsides would be a absolute must to me.
But..the woodwork is very nicely done indeed. Writing as a wood butcher . Of course the structural bonding bulkheads etc are unseen!
And it would need a rerig
And it’s an Italian engine
But.. ??

 

[V1701]

Well worth a look at that price, I had the pleasure of crewing Thailand to Maldives on one, two-up 1500 miles almost exactly 10 days. The price and the clear sold as seen message do make it look like there might be something significantly not as it should be though...

 

[38mess]

My wife caught me looking at the Rival advert. and unkindly reminded me of my age.

Had she not, I would have gone and had a look at that boat!

Age is but a number

 

[Poignard]

Age is but a number

"So much to do, so little time."

 

[Poignard]

"So much to do, so little time."

Or

"I hope you're not thinking of going near that boat until you've finished all the jobs that need doing in this house!"

 

[Blueboatman]

Or
How old will you be in five years if you haven’t bought a boat ?

 

[geem]

You don't regret the the things in life you did but the things you didn't.