Wanted For Free: Free / Cheap Large Wood (Other Hulls Considered) Gulf Coast Area Project Boat

[houstonhorsemen]

I am looking for a large (50'-150') project boat/ship to slowly restore with my son. I love the look of antique wood boats, and would prefer a large one, but I will consider other hull types(fiberglass, or steel especially). I have restored up to a 45' chris chraft, and now I am looking for a long term heirloom boat to pass down to my son, and maybe my grand kids. If you have something in the way, or know of something that fits the bill, let me know via email, or here in the forum.

I prefer something on the gulf coast, but will consider other locations, depending on condition.

[Khagan1227]

Wooden Boat Rescue Foundation

Give it a look you might find what you are looking for.

[Khagan1227]

P.S. welcome to CF!

[houstonhorsemen]

It is good to find fellow travelers, with like minds.

[smj]

I don't know if a multihull would interest you but there is a 51' Horstman trimaran on yachtworld in need of some work. It's located on South Padre.

[houstonhorsemen]

Originally Posted by smj

I don't know if a multihull would interest you but there is a 51' Horstman trimaran on yachtworld in need of some work. It's located on South Padre.

I would love a multi-hull. Thanks for the info

[callmecrazy]

Save The Trumpy!

[Nicholson58]

There is a really intriguing Cedar strip boat at Torresons in Muskegon. I believe it to be a boat we raced against many years ago - terribly fast & really attractive. Needs a lover. Walk up transom; very tall stick; nice equipment. Torresen Marine - The Sailboat Specialist Torresen Marine, Inc. - The Sailboat Specialists - Muskegon, Michigan You may have to call and ask about this one, sort of abandonded in the back east end of the yard behind the big yellow building. I feel so sad every time I pass it. In an earlier life I would snap it up. I like the Torresen folks; family business. Talk to the broker or ask for Brian Torresen in Service for history.

[houstonhorsemen]

Originally Posted by callmecrazy

Save The Trumpy!

I thought that Trumpy was gone. I saw it last year, and had contacted the owner, but the owner said someone had taken it. I will contact them again.

[Mark Johnson]

Old multihulls are the best deals out there, if you are looking for a wood boat project...

There are a LOT of old 40' or so Wharram cats out there that are getting long in the tooth, but totally rebuildable. And They are easily unbolted for transportation to a cheaper place inland, on which to build a construction shelter. If you can invest $10,000 or so in the boat, you might get one that is reasonably close to seaworthy. (perhaps a couple of years rather than 10, and requiring maybe $10,000 more materials, rather than $50,000) My three cruising boats took 21 years to build, mostly full time! Yet, I built a house in ONE year. That's how much more work boatbuilding is...

Other than a cold molded hull in really good shape, plywood on frame boats, like older multihulls, may be a good buy.

The ones for FREE? Forget that! They tend to be old, huge, planked lumber hulls. They are worth every cent of that "0" cost to you!

I started working on this type of hull decades ago, and they are a LOT of work to build and own. Sure, the Pardys have one that is a drop dead gorgeous work of art, but they aren't giving it away!

Also, consider a max size of around 35', or 40' if it is a Wharram. (with their long overhangs, a 40' Wharram is = to a 35' boat of another design).

A 50' boat project would only make sense, for a young man, with decades of boatbuilding experience and an unlimited budget... and by the time you finish, your son will be more worried about putting HIS kids through college!

I hate to discourage... it is just that building from scratch, like a 28'er, can be a fun experience. A 32'er is TWICE as large.

RE-building an old hull that's decrepit enough to be FREE, is demoralizing like you can't imagine, and NOT fun or rewarding! IF you found a perfect boat hull only, for really cheep, and it needs no rebuilding, that is still only about 20 to 30% of a complete sailboat, ready to go cruising.

Otherwise, an old Wharram that just needs a major repaint, (with NO rot), but needs new systems, sails, OB motor, and rigging... might be $10 - $15,000 to buy, and that much again to get ready to sail away on. It might be a one or two year project for the two of you, (FULL time). I am just trying to put it into perspective... NOT discourage you.

Attached is the little Wharram that I built in the 70s. It took 3 years part time, and cost about $17,000. That was a LOT for a kid in his early 20s...

Also, consider a stitch N glue kayak kit first, to see if this will really be a bonding experience...

Hope this helps, Mark