Would You Attempt This Refit?

S

Shipwrecked

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Came across this on ebay.

Down here in Australia, we're not spoilt for choice on old classics, so despite the condition this is a bit of a find.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/26-ft-Mahogany-Oa...1QQcmdZViewItem

To me it looks like far too much work (not taking into account the asking price). Is there anyone on the forum that would tackle this? and what sort of work would you expect to undertake? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
Price - is that about £3k UK?. Too much I guess. Difficult to tell from the photos but I would guess that if what's currently showing there is sound, then this is practical if you have a reasonable amount of DIY skills. If there are a lot of timbers to replace and/or there is softness/splits in the keel then I would be a little more hesitant. I would like to know what they mean by some refastening. Seems like some of the new timber is already available, the mast is there, Bukh 20 are strongly and purposely made and spares are available. Perhaps a little powerful for the size but if she's well balanced sobeit.

I wouldn't dismiss it at all but I wouldn't pay £3k in the UK. It would be a disaster if she was broken up, she's too pretty for that.

For me it would be be:

What's my level of DIY skills? Would I have access to cheap professional advice from time to time?
Are you prepared for a couple of years work - yes you could do it in less but I guess you have to go to work (but that spreads the cost)?
Is basically what's on view sound?
Realistic price
Where can I do the work - what are the yard fees - when I have no money coming in, can I still afford to pay the yard or will that force me to become disillusioned.
 
Thanks for your feedback,

I think she is too much work for me, but like you say, too good to be broken up which is my fear. She has been listed a couple of times, each time for less on the asking price and I have kept my distance for fear of purchase!

£2000 is far too much for her in her current condition and I think the owner is pricing her on her rarity rather than condition.

Having had a closer look at the photos, I can clearly see where the timebers are coming away from the stem - what with our hot climate, shrinkage here must be pretty extreme

Regards

Jonathan
 
HI BOYS AND GIRLS, Well i did attempt this refit...
Well this one is mine, the price is probally a bit high, but the reallity is that the fittings alone will probally fetch that much seperatley, six original port lights, bronze winches,vintage nav lights, motor, etc, etc, etc
If she dosn't sell the reality is the yard owner is about too build a factory on the site,I've only got another 7 days... and yes she will be broken up..... not at all happy but thats what happens, yes gissele is a rare item in Australia, If she is unsold, i Will list just the hull, slipping cradel and registration papers, for $1.. if your thinking of building from scratch it could be a good way too get a keel, but only for a 3 days auction and sell the rest seperatley.. call me if you want too have a look
scott 0402298574
 
Yes been there done that.

But the price is too high.

I paid under £100 for a worse condition 1898 25 ft Alfred Mylne one rater many years ago. Took me a couple of years to rebuild.
New floors, 50% of ribs, new deck, new mast, sails and everything else.

It marked my transition from 'dinghy' to 'yacht'

Well worth doing if you have the time and the skills.

It's a shame to see a boat getting towards the end of it's economically usefull life.
Iain
 
Go for if you have the time, place, space and "money".
I am in the middle of just the same thing with a pal We have a 30ft G.U. Laws designed 1905 Gaff Cutter just about replaced every thing bar 90% of the planks, keel & hog. We have been at her off & on since 1989. Boat £350. refit £9k so far. But she is getting there and hopefully another 6 months ha ha or so will see her in the water. A post is on the way just got to work out the write up and pics. I do have a query about rudders I am posting.
 
Well I've been hum'ing and ha'ing and I really cannot get involved as I first have to buy a house. The timing could not have been worse!

More is the pity as her dimensions are perfect and having owned a 1931 motor yacht I'm fully aware of the balance between romance and pain a wooden boat demands - do it again? yes yes yes, but not today.

The shame of it is the needless destruction of a pretty good boat - unlike the Uk, these really are few and far between out here.

Good luck with all your projects - I really do miss owning a classic boat
 
I can understand you have personal issues but sadly the the hull looks like JS.You can't be serious that someone would want to buy a hulk for £3K BP?
 
The answer is ... Are you in love with the boat.

Second hand fittings, masts, booms are not worth much money. Engine is. Portlights and maybe the marine WC if it is in good condition - the timber may be worth something as well. Stove. a few other things that can be sold readily on the market.

All the bits and pieces are next to worthless - most of the shops and boatbuilding places I have worked at have piles of the stuff that almost never gets used.

You will be up for some real money to fix it up and if the purpose is just to get a boat you would probably save money starting from scratch.

However if you really, really like the boat it is always worth doing - as it will get you through the process. And if you really, really like the boat you will be prepared to pay a bit of money for it.

If the owner is going to saw it up - make an offer for the fittings plus a bit more. It will save him the effort of sawing it up and carting it to the tip.

Maybe ask him how he actually worked out the $5000. It will give you some idea about how good it is.

But it is only love that will get you through such a restoration!

Michael Storer
 
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