Buying a donated boat

[markpierce]

If you're unable to give it away, disposing of it will cost $$$.

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by Don C L

at $1600 that is not much of a loss if you want to donate it back. It will likely cost you much more than your remaining savings to get her in good shape. You could chalk it up to a lesson well-learned. Some of us have spent a lot more to learn that lesson!

This.

Originally Posted by NoQuarter79

It's a 1981 Watkins 27. We paid $1600 and a survey would probably be half that, and we just can't afford that...

Your misconceptions regarding the cost and value of a good survey have left you in a very risky position. GET A SURVEY! Before risking the rest of your savings.

[Stu Jackson]

I feel bad for you.

YOu did not do your homework before purchase.

Have you check ed the internet for Watkins 27 owners groups?

[Tkeeth]

Where are you located? Join a club, you can learn alot there. I have found that asking around the docks, someone knows something about it and many have old parts and knowlwedge they will share. I help others all the time with either labor or skills i have, then when i am in a bind others help me. Pay it forward kind of deal.

[Nauticatarcher]

So you have a stuffed through Hull, just replace the bloody thing , its not Rocket science, Turn the engine over by hand to make sure its not seized, then run it up on starter with kill switch closed to build a bitof oil pressure thyen hope for the best, if its not a runner, either go get a job and fix it or move on.

[wkstar]

Most donated things are what the owner then considers worthless.
You bought a 35 year old thing and seem to have expected it to be in Good working order, Hum
36 year old things, boat, car, plane, houses, shirts, pants, shoes, tables, chairs are never in good working order

[markpierce]

The boat's donater got himself a tax deduction and avoided the cost of boat disposal.

[NoQuarter79]

My fractions were wrong. We actually have about $1700 dollars. Losing this boat means losing our home. The motor is a Yanmar 2 cyl. Up until today we thought it was a 12hp, but an older guy here at the marina tends to think it's more. 18hp is what I think he said. We got it on craigslist from a non-profit called Agents of Faith. We did do heavy research on the organization to make sure it was not a scam. Their website states "Our hope is that most of the boats we receive are fair to great shape." and again the president of the organization was told there was nothing wrong with it. Really, we're hoping it's a matter of clean filters and fuel. For sitting for 5 years she could look a lot worse.

[NoQuarter79]

I'm pretty sure we snagged it up before the organization even had a chance to look at it.

[markpierce]

OP, I thought you already owned a San Juan 7.7 for several years and had boat experience. Sorry, but your claimed purchase of an unfamiliar/unexamined boat is unbelievable.

[NoQuarter79]

Our San Juan had an outboard, and no amenities inside. This is our first diesel, first inboard, first galley, first head, so first time dealing with plumbing. To be honest, we didn't do very much to the San Juan. We lived life very roughly, but it didn't have much so it was easy to maintain. There was even wiring I know we could have done easily, but didn't. We are complete rookies at boat maintenance and repair.

[NoQuarter79]

We owned it for several years, but were only aboard for two summers. We would go back to WV, work minimum wage jobs and save up to come back and try to make it south, which never happened. We got stuck in WV a few summers and couldn't make it to the boat.

[Stu Jackson]

If the boat's in the water and the thru hull is broken, you can still run the engine. It's similar if not identical to winterizing the engine. Like this:

Winterizing an Engine on the Hard (Thanks to Maine Sail) - NEVER connect a hose to your water pump">raw water pump inlet - NEVER!!!

Winterizing A Diesel Engine On The Hard | SailboatOwners.com Forums

If the batteries work the engine should turn over. If they are questionable or have low voltage, keep the boat plugged in if you have shorepower and the charger will give you enough volts to start a small engine like that.

Guessing what engine you have makes no sense. Unless it is a pile of rust, you should be able to see the model # somewhere on it. If not, take a picture or two or three and someone here will know.

Good luck.

[markpierce]

The more systems, the more complications and expense. After taxes, my boat is the greatest expense. (More than housing, transportation, traveling, food, clothing, incidentals, and entertainment, individually.)

[NoQuarter79]

"roughly 16 hp"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yanmar_2GM20