Wooden Hulls - advice needed

Ok, summing up

There ARE some wooden motor boats which are really good and really good value.

There is also a good deal of junk.

By and large, you will be safe (subject to survey!) with a Silver or if you would like something more modern a Dagless. I knew Peter Brown who designed the Dagless boats and he most certainly knew his stuff. On the more work boaty end of the scale yes, Herd and Mackenzie. These boats are not particularly cheap.


<hr width=100% size=1>Que scais-je?
 
There are so many of those boats that people think they will "do up". Working alone at weekends and summer evenings they make a little progress and then the total enormity of what they are up against seeps in and the boats start to slip back from whence they came and the pub starts to look ever more attractive as an option.

However I don't think that means wooden boats are not appropriate. There's many a redundant and well found converted trawler about these days, big accomodation and fairly cheap to acquire. A lot of boat for the money, I think the recomendations I gave elsewhere are true, get a good survey, don't be swayed by a "bargain", and having bought it keep it up.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
http://www.on-line-marine.com
 
Re: Ok, summing up

You are right of course. However I think maybe there's a discussion here about working boats vs. yachts. The likes of Herd and Mackenzie didn't built many yachts, a handful only, their stock in trade, and built pretty much the same way, were North Sea trawlers, and many have been well converted to "live-aboards".

I think you'd have to be pretty posh and a have deepish pockets to buy a "yacht" built boat as a live-aboard and keep her as she should be kept. A decent Herd and Mackenzie will cost about £250,000 today, where a converted trawler with a single engine from the same yard might be £70,000.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
http://www.on-line-marine.com
 
Re: Ok, summing up

Agreed. But I think we will also agree that the biggest issue with boats of this size is not so much the hull material as the machinery, equipment, accomodation and services.

You really, really. don't want to work on a boat whilst living aboard her.

Don't ask me how I know!

<hr width=100% size=1>Que scais-je?
 
Re: Ok, summing up

The main (wooden) boat that I am considering is a 1974 66' Cantiere designed/built motor cruiser. It has good sized and fitted accommodation. It has a marine ply/mahogany hull, marine ply/teak decks and marine ply superstructure. It is currently in occasional charter and for private use by the owner in the Med. Granted, it is a "bargain" price compared to 1980's+ GRP but offers much more extensive accommodation/usable deck space than the 50' GRP craft that fit in my budget. Probably the closest I have come to in value that provides adequate accommodation for my circumstances is the 1990ish GRP Marine Trader Tradewinds 47' at about USD170,000.
My live aboard is for use in the Middle East so there is sun all year round and temperatures in summer average about 40degc and winter about 27degc. Of course, too much sun can take its toll on on a boats condition, almost as much as water.
I am also considering some smaller GRP and aluminium craft in the region of 50' as well, but the live aboard facilities look appealing on the larger wooden boat.
Your thoughts?

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Re: Ok, summing up

I have no real experience of marine ply beyond owning a 25 footer for a season, so any opinion based on total ignorance won't have much value, also what any of us might need as a live-aboard varies according to family size, means, etc.

You might try a posting on the Classic Boat forum regarding the cost of maintaining or repairing marine ply vessels, it might be instructive.


<hr width=100% size=1>John
http://www.on-line-marine.com
 
Not Ply!!

I gave you my views on ply. And certainly not something of that age.

Goodness knows what 40 degrees would do to it?!!

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Re: Ok, summing up

Looked at Baglietto's, Cantiere De Pisa and Versilcraft myself and were sorely tempted last year. Knocked the idea back due to the expected high maintenance cost. Detroit's onboard and all in "Charter" spec., and certified for charter. Beautiful boats and loads of style. Will have to echo the people in here though about the importance of a survey and be prepared for the required maintenance. All the yards I contacted were very helpful with information of the boats, construction methodes and material used. One of them even came back with construction drawings and original spec. of the boat, including when the construction milestones had been reached.... at no charge, but purely out of interest for keeping a track of their own boats.

<hr width=100% size=1>Regards,

Alf
 
Have a look at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://gbwoodies.com>http://gbwoodies.com</A> check out the reading room and look for Old Wodies Rule item. It may give you some of the info you are looking for.

<hr width=100% size=1>
I wish I'd been born rich instead of good looking ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top