Ron Glas - is she worth saving?

[srm]

I was at Caley Marina in Inverness at the weekend to look at a boat which was moored alongside Ron Glas.

Ron Glas was built in 1970/71 of cold moulded mahogany and cascover sheathed. Designed by Angus Primrose & the owner, Jock McLeod, with a junk schooner rig to the Hasler / McLeod design. She is an interesting step in the development of shorthanded sailing, though the emphasis was on making safe comfortable passages rather than maximum speed.

Jock McLeod raced her in OSTAR and Round Britain races and has cruised extensively.

She is now in a very sad state on deck (I did not go below) with lichen growing on the bare wood handrails, thick green algae in places, and running rigging stiff with dirt and green mould. The deck and coach roof is sheathed, but in a few places the sheathing has cracked. It looks as if she has been totally neglected for a couple of years.

It’s possible that the boat could be saved without too much work at the moment, (though would need to be surveyed) but if left will only deteriorate further. She is listed with two brokers, though the details and price must have been obtained a couple of years ago while she was still being cared for.

http://www.caleyboats.co.uk/9/Sail-Craft-for-Sale/The-famous-ron-glas-a-one-off-special-

http://www.sunbirdmarine.com/rglass_47.htm

Anyone want to save an interesting boat that was part of the development of modern short handed sailing?

 

[Athene V30]

I met Jock Mcleod and went onboard Ron Glas in the early 80's. Remember a tale about one of the OSTARs he took part in where rather than empty his water tank in Plymouth to just leave enough for the race to Newport, he had filled it completely before sailing from home and hoped it would last until he got back as no other water tasted quite right in his whisky!

It is a shame when any boat falls into disrepair but unfortunately I have enough on my hands with my own boat without taking on a project!

 

[KenMcCulloch]

It's a real shame to hear of a boat like that deteriorating. I think it often happens because owners and brokers misread the market and expect far too much. It's only worth what someone's willing to pay and given the amount of work probably now required to get her into a condition that one might be happy with, I doubt if even half the asking price would be worth paying. (Or would have been worth paying a month ago, in today's conditions possibly even less.)

 

[monkey_trousers]

Pansy was moored alongside her when we bought her so we spent a good while scampering to and fro over her decks to get on board before we shifted down here

lovely boat, and from my judgement at the time was more in need of elbow grease and tlc than anything too major.

for what its worth, Pansy had been on caley's books for ages as well, we offered half the asking price and it was accepted...

 

[srm]

My understanding is that the owner is now getting on and is no longer able to look after the boat. She was originally put on the market at about £80K in 06 if not earlier.

 

[Bosunof]

As a real classic, with a good history, she must be worth buying and fixing. Ken and I have done something similar and have real pride in our vessels. But time will make a hard task near impossible so an early snap up of the opportunity is what is required.

Should someone be scared of the prospect then there are plenty of experienced and knowledgeable people to give advice and help.

Sometimes it is great fun to help on a project and our labour can be cheaply bought.

Regards

 

[Niander]

Dnt like junk rig...doesnt help.

 

[Folksailor1]

I agree with Ken. Nonbody in their right mind would pay that much for her.
Lets be honest, asking for 59k is just crazy. Why not be realistic and ask for 25k, hopefully the buyer might make a quick sale and the new owner will be able to justify spending the money on the work that is necessary? Everybody wins.
Otherwise the boat will continue to deteriorate and its real value will continue downwards well below the 20k mark. Nobody gains.

 

[gag]

She's very dry below and in the bilges.
A roomy, safe sea boat worth saving.