Viewed a Med based boat, work required.....

[Dorset Dan]

I have been to see a med based boat this weekend (I won't say which model or where until I decide what I am doing, and if anyone recognises the model it would be appreciated if you could keep it to yourself for now )

The boat is in need of a refurb, but it is approx 1/3rd less than other examples of same model (so roughly £30-40k let's say). It is in 35-40ft range sports cruiser and from a builder with good reputation, albeit they don't make them this small any longer, so hopefully any refurbishment will result in a nice boat ultimately.

Service history unknown which is a worry. I would fly out a surveyor and engineer from the U.K. to inspect before purchase.

I welcome any comments on the pics I am posting up and ball park costs of the following:

GRP repairs to multiple damage points (probably 20 x 50p piece sizes like the one I've taken on the anti foul waterline)
Cut and polish (if it's not already too far gone - comments?) if not a repainted/wrap
Teak refurb (if it's already too far gone - comments) if not new synthetic teak decking
New bow thruster (assumed - see pics, broker thought it worked!)
New upholstery
New covers/canvas
Conversion of electrics to U.K. (Anything else required here from European spec to U.K.?)
Full service of engines and drives (KAD300s)
Transport back to U.K.
Contingency fund?

I was a little annoyed that the broker had not prewarned me of level of work but maybe its condition is par for the course for a med boat. However, the brokerage is reputable and have large boat repair yard so would be easy (but costly?) to get them to do work.

I am in two minds - head says walk away, but heart says if I can get it for a great price and get work done I will have something great looking exactly how I want it.....

 

[Dorset Dan]

A few more

 

[[2068]]

The pic that concerns me most is #7.
It looks as if the gelcoat isn't bonded properly to the next layer of fibreglass, or that there's something osmotic going on that is popping off the geloat.

The rest all looks fixable by upholsterer man / fibreglass man / teak man.
Having said that, when you have some estimates, add the refurb costs for everything you have spotted, add in a bit of contingency for things you haven't spotted, and compare again to a similar boat in better condition.

What about the interior?

.

 

[Dorset Dan]

And a few more

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

View attachment 62727

That's teak veneered ply which is end of life.

Transport costs will be £5-6k plus lift/launch costs.

Converting the electrics from EU to UK should just be a case of changing the sockets. Wiring is all the same.

 

[Dorset Dan]

The pic that concerns me most is #7.
It looks as if the gelcoat isn't bonded properly to the next layer of fibreglass.

The rest all looks fixable by upholsterer man / fibreglass man / teak man.
Having said that, when you have some estimates, add the refurb costs for everything you have spotted, add in a bit of contingency for things you haven't spotted, and compare again to a similar boat in better condition.

What about the interior?

.

The interior is very good just needs a good clean.

Yes, the refurb costs are what I want to get a ball park for so that my offer reflects work and hassle factor. best case scenario if I am lucky on a few items and find people to do work locally I reckon £15k of transport/work costs, worst case if I ask the yard to do it and everything I have listed needs doing in full would be £30k+

This all of course assuming engines and drives are sound which could be doubtful if rest of boat has been poorly maintained.....

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Bit more:

Complete new camper canvas for a generic 40ft sportcruiser - estimate £2k

You mention new cockpit upholstery - with or without foam? Sunpad(s)?

 

[Dorset Dan]

The upholstery and bow sun pad seemed all seemed to be firm and generally looked ok apart from the couple of rips and fading along top edges so I would hope recovering would do the trick.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

The upholstery and bow sun pad seemed all seemed to be firm and generally looked ok apart from the couple of rips and fading along top edges so I would hope recovering would do the trick.

Budget another £2k for that then, maybe less depending on fabric and complexity.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

PS I think you're being very optimistic at £15k for transport plus the work that you've specified and with the condition that your photos show. A new bowthruster's going to be another couple of grand, although it might be that you've just lost a prop, it's impossible to say without knowing more.

 

[Tranona]

The interior is very good just needs a good clean.

Yes, the refurb costs are what I want to get a ball park for so that my offer reflects work and hassle factor. best case scenario if I am lucky on a few items and find people to do work locally I reckon £15k of transport/work costs, worst case if I ask the yard to do it and everything I have listed needs doing in full would be £30k+

This all of course assuming engines and drives are sound which could be doubtful if rest of boat has been poorly maintained.....

Your list already gets up to £30k, and neglected boats always have hidden problems that need more money. Organising at a distance or even DIY in a strange place is a challenge. Perhaps better to bite the bullet and pay more for a better boat - takes some of the risk away.

 

[Den100]

My last Sunseeker have very similar cracks to the ones in your photo with the grab handle which were caused, according to a surveyor, by the gel coat being too thick and expansion/contraction causes the cracks, mine had to have the gel peeled and reapplied.

 

[Dorset Dan]

Thanks for replies so far, its already pointing to walking away.

Having made a couple of enquiries this morning from contractors in UK, and using some of the comments above, I am now starting to see the costs mount up......here are my current estimates:

GRP repairs to multiple damage points (probably 20 x 50p piece sizes like the one I've taken on the anti foul waterline) £unknown but estimated £2,500+VAT
Cut and polish (if it's not already too far gone - comments?) if not a repainted/wrap £1,000+VAT professional cut/polish to £3,500+VAT for hull wrap
Teak refurb (if it's already too far gone - comments) if not new synthetic teak decking £3,500+VAT
New bow thruster (assumed - see pics, broker thought it worked!) £3,000+VAT
New upholstery £2,500+VAT
New covers/canvas £2,000+VAT
Conversion of electrics to U.K. (Anything else required here from European spec to U.K.?) £500+VAT
Full service of engines and drives (KAD300s) £2,000+VAT
Transport back to U.K. £5,000+VAT
Contingency fund? £5,000+VAT including lifts in / out for various works

£35,400 incl VAT - ouch!

 

[rafiki_]

There is a reason it is cheap. It will cost a lot to get it back in shape.

 

[A_8]

I am not sure what all the pictures show but beyond the soft stuff I would be very concerned with the gelcoat cracks, it may be a relativly easy fix but there is an underlying reason they are there and very likely they will come back almost whatever advice you get fixing them.
The gelcoat is just the surface treatment and if the underlying GRP moves to much you will get gelcoat cracks, you have to ask yourself why is the GRP flexing before you can decide if its cosmetic or not.
Once the GRP starts flexing beyond the original intent it will get progressivly worse and quickly so. I would stay away from any boat that has these symptoms unless the price is low and I intend to stay in the marina or on the river.

 

[stelican]

What make of boat is it as this may shed some light on the detached gelcoat you mention

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

What make of boat is it as this may shed some light on the detached gelcoat you mention

OP doesn't want to put the make/model in the public domain, although I agree that it would be useful so that other owners could chip in. (It's pretty easy to work out from his photos though)

 

[stelican]

Yes saw his request but he is not helping himself, Should not think there would be a rush for it though.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Yes saw his request but he is not helping himself, Should not think there would be a rush for it though.

Yep, agreed on both counts.

 

[Dorset Dan]

On the basis that I have 99% now ruled it out (bar a very, very low ball offer being accepted) I see no harm in now confirming that it is a Sunseeker Portofino 35 for sale by Marina Marbella in Puerto Banus: http://www.marinamarbella.co.uk/en/used/sunseeker-portofino-35-4715299

It looks better in the sales pics than in reality btw! Could have been a bargain......