What to do with an old boat.

[PeterV]

I’ve just been to look at a boat a friend has been given. He asked me because he’s been paying marina fees for 3 years, doesn’t know the first thing about boats and doesn’t want to pay out a lot more.
It’s an early Uphams Twister with a wooden coach roof. YSM12 engine which hasn’t been run in possibly 13 years, general condition as one would expect from a boat that’s been neglected for that time. I took some batteries with me, got the engine to spin but not run. Sails are reasonable, main, furling Genoa and spinnaker.
I’m a bit at a loss how to advise him. The marina is paid up until 31 March, the boat is clearly a major project and needs the engine running to even get out of the marina (at the top of the Hamble) to a different mooring. Despite the reputation of Twisters it’s clearly not worth spending £6000 per year to keep her where she is, it’s also not easy to decide where else to put it or what to do with it.
Suggestions?
(I can probably predict quite a few!)

 

[KevinV]

Give it back!

 

[greeny]

From the sound of things he doesn't sail or visit the the boat. So sell it for whatever he can get or give it away. He'll be 6k in profit in a year.

 

[PhillM]

Boat Disposal: responsible and accessible

You pay them to advertise it and move it in for you.

I’d expect a twister to get £1.

Depending on exactly how much work and the general state she sounds like a decent project. £6-7k to re-engine with a Beta. £2-3k for standing and running rigging. £2-3 K for sails. Another. £2-3 k for upholstery. Add another £5k for a range of tiles from new gas appliances, rewire and electronics and for £20k you would have a classic bargain!

 

[Poignard]

Having owned an Uphams-built composite (grp hull with wooden coachroof and cockpit) Twister for 27 years I can tell him that unless he himself has the skills, and the time, to put the boat in good order, he can end up spending a fortune if he pays professionals to do the work; paying out more than the boat is worth.

Likely problems with these boats are rot in the coachroof and cockpit plus all the other problems you get with an old boat that has been 'let go', ie engine needing overhaul. rigging needing renewing, spars corroded, sails worn out, etc.

He could start by joining the Twister Class Association and seeking advice there Twister Class Association - For Those That Sail the Modern Classic Yacht

If he decides to go ahead with it, he needs to get it ashore somewhere cheap and local to him where he can work on it.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Sorry I can't help, I already have one.

 

[Poignard]

Sorry I can't help, I already have one.

Isn't there a forum rule forbidding boasting?

 

[potentillaCO32]

He will be lucky to be able to give it away.

 

[PeterV]

I agree he’ll be lucky to give it away, and he agrees that he wasn’t done a favour by being gifted the boat. I’m astonished that he’s spent nearly £18k just to own his unwanted gift so far.
I wondered about boat disposal, but ideally we need to be able to move it, and need to move it to get her somewhere cheaper if we don’t go down the disposal route.
I agree it’s a good project for someone who would love the boat, but I certainly don’t want a project after working on my own project for the last 5 years! I also think that there are much better projects around than this one to put your effort into, unless you particularly want a Twister.
As for rot, I’ve no idea yet but the cabin sides are painted and the boat takes in quite a lot of water, probably from rain, so I’m very suspicious of the deck to coach roof join.

 

[Poignard]

Paint over varnish work = beware!

 

[KevinV]

As for rot, I’ve no idea yet but the cabin sides are painted and the boat takes in quite a lot of water, probably from rain, so I’m very suspicious of the deck to coach roof join.

This story just gets worse. Just pay to bin it ASAP, it'll save a fortune

 

[potentillaCO32]

I agree he’ll be lucky to give it away, and he agrees that he wasn’t done a favour by being gifted the boat. I’m astonished that he’s spent nearly £18k just to own his unwanted gift so far.
I wondered about boat disposal, but ideally we need to be able to move it, and need to move it to get her somewhere cheaper if we don’t go down the disposal route.

Easiest way to move it is to speak to a nearby marina and pay them to use their workboat to take it where you want it taken.

It wont be seaworthy for anything beyond a little river hop.

 

[fredrussell]

 

[Stemar]

View attachment 207875

That's what happened to a boat at our club recently. A nice little Macwester that would have been worth something when I first saw her 20 years ago, but she sat on a mooring, only moving because she started to sink.

My hope and prayer is that I'll realise that my sailing days are over and sell Jazzcat while she's still in a fit state to give someone good service.

he can end up spending a fortune if he pays professionals to do the work; paying out more than the boat is worth.

Unfortunately, even a keen, knowledgeable DIYer will almost certainly end up paying out more than the boat is worth.

 

[justanothersailboat]

I'm normally far more in favour of fixer uppers than many here, but this one sounds way too far gone. Getting the poor old thing disposed of has to be cheaper than keeping it another year at those prices.

 

[Concerto]

Try listing it on eBay for £1 and a condition completion should be by 31 March. Then the mooring problem is for someone else. If not sold then scrap the boat.

 

[Minerva]

View attachment 207875

a weekend with one of these and a skip in the nearest boat yard might be the best way forward. Get the yard to tow it into the slings, hire a skip and get it placed next to where the hull is to put on the ground - not a cradle obviously. you might want to think about salvaging the hardware / the winches / clutches etc and you might be able to sell to recoup something.

 

[doug748]

Poignard knows.

4 or 5 grand (plus a great deal of hard work) can sort most of the common problems on old boats. However, rot in the coachroof or cockpit is the real killer.
Best advice is to recycle it through Responsible Boat Disposal, as suggested by PaulM.

.

 

[newtothis]

Point in the right direction for the wind, tie off the tiller and cast off. Strait of Hormuz minesweeping sorted.

 

[Minerva]

Point in the right direction for the wind, tie off the tiller and cast off. Strait of Hormuz minesweeping sorted.

Just what leverage you do, make sure it’s a USA flag hanging on the back stay, not a red duster!