Thinking about buying a hustler 30

[Rudyraff]

Hello all
I've just come back from viewing a Hustler 30 and ibwanted to lnow if I can pick your brains as I have a few worries about it.
The deck seems to leak as theres a fair amount of water in the interior. Will it damage the sole?
It has a 12hp yanmar diesel engine which I couldn't turn over. Are they easy to fix?
It's an incredibly cheap price, I justt hink it's too good an opportunity to ignore as its being offered for less then 500!!

What should I look out for?

Many thanks Richard

 

[fredrussell]

…What should I look out for?

Well, mainly the fact that it’s under £500. It’s oft said on here: “no such thing as a cheap boat”

 

[Tranona]

The price tells you everything. Run!

Leaking decks are bad news. The Yanmar is over 40 years old and while simple compared with today's engines spares are difficult to obtain.

As already said there is no such thing as a cheap boat and the purchase price is just the entry fee to a lifetime of spending money. Better to pay more and start with a functioning boat you can use and improve

 

[MisterBaxter]

With a GRP boat the leak(s) will necessarily be around existing holes - stanchion bases, hatches etc. Some of these possibilities are much more work to fix than others! So well worth trying to diagnose the problem before you commit.
Any info on when the engine last ran?
And what condition are the sails in, and the running and standing rigging?
If it needs a new engine, new rigging and new sails, you're already getting up to the cost of a similar boat in decent condition, say £8k.
Lots of people will say that it's never worth buying a project boat. Personally I'd buy a boat which needed any one of engine, sails/rig or interior replacing, but not two and definitely not three!

 

[garymalmgren]

What should I look out for?

In my mind you should be very very careful around Black Holes.
By this I mean a boat that will suck all your time, money and effort in and you can't escape.

Sit down with a pencil and paper and start adding up generally what you think it will cost you in the long run.
Don"t forget yard /hardstand fees.
Then double it.
Then make your decision.
Get a quote on new upholstery as an eye opener.

gary

 

[PeterV]

It very much depends on what youre capable of, if you can diagnose and fix the engine it makes more sense. They’re very nice boats but how much work do you want to do?

 

[RogerJolly]

Boat might seem a bargain but what about disposal costs/hassle if you lose interest?

Not seen any boats in the 'I'll pay you to take it on' category, but maybe there should be.

 

[Concerto]

Water leaks can ruin the bulkheads and interior woodwork, so check very carefully for rot and discolouration of the wood. Dampness usually means mould, so check for black mould. An old engine that will not start could be a major problem, but replacing it with an ex lifeboat engine will still cost about £3,000 + depending if you need a new shaft, propeller, etc. You will need a full survey to get comprehensive insurance, but this would probably come with items requiring immediate replacement like the rigging, fixing the leaks, getting the engine working, etc.

If you have no experience of working on boats, then be prepared to find everything with a marine tag is more expensive than you expect, the time required to do a job will take 3 times as long as you expect. The advice already given is sensible. I would also advise getting a boat that is in better condition and still being used, preferably from someone swallowing the anchor due to age. You can then enjoy going sailing and have much less time spent of working on a boat.

I bought my 32ft Fulmar 10 years ago in a sailable but tired state. I thought it would take me about 2 years and £12,000 to get it the way I wanted (excluding berthing and regular maintenance costs). She is now very nearly done and has cost me about £27,000, but I have tried to get to a as new condition and have many upgrades. I know I will never get my money back or cover the thousands of hours I have spent working on her, but I have enjoyed all of it. Look at these two links to see what I have done and look at my about me page for even more information.

https://wiki.westerly-owners.co.uk/images/3/3f/Concerto.pdf

 

[V1701]

Projects only really make sense if you can afford the purchase price and the cost of equipment, tools, storage whilst you work on it, etc., and you have the skills and the time to do the work and you want to do the work because you enjoy it or like the challenge. If you've got the money to buy it and store it and equip it you might as well buy a boat that's good to go because the project will cost as much or likely more than that. And the best thing to do if you can't yet afford the boat you want is to carry on working and saving until you can. Boat work takes 2-3 times longer, is 2-3 times more expensive than you think and that's if you're DIYing. Start employing "marine professionals", whose work may be good or not good but will be eyewateringly expensive you can be sure of that, is when the fun really starts...

 

[Fr J Hackett]

If you are attracted to a £500 30 foot boat because of its price there is a very good chance that you won't be able to afford to repair and maintain it.

What to look out for, spending another £10,000 minimum

 

[14K478]

I have made this sort of mistake myself in the past.

 

[nevis768]

Hello all
I've just come back from viewing a Hustler 30 and ibwanted to lnow if I can pick your brains as I have a few worries about it.
The deck seems to leak as theres a fair amount of water in the interior. Will it damage the sole?
It has a 12hp yanmar diesel engine which I couldn't turn over. Are they easy to fix?
It's an incredibly cheap price, I justt hink it's too good an opportunity to ignore as its being offered for less then 500!!

What should I look out for?

Many thanks Richard

Unless you prefer working on boats as opposed to sailing them, then avoid this like the plague. You don't mention, sail or rigging condition, or what might be wrong with the engine. Unless you have good engineering skills the engine may not be economical to repair if you have to have somebody else fix it. You don't mention the electrics on the boat, condition of the boom or mast. People give away boats when they're beyond economical repair.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

New engine, new rigging new sails new chart plotter, new DSC radio, probably new nav lights. £10k for that lot would be a snip - think nearer £13k. And then you work on the deck leaks.

Turn and flee