Ordering a Bare Fiberglass Hull

[barnakiel]

Bare hull in FRP will cost one +20% of a ready to leave the boatyard boat and in the 30 range this implies some 20-30k in the bare hull only.

At 40-50k one can buy same boat, tatty, but essentially complete.

And no owner can build out a bare hull to any reasonable standard unless they are a boat builder themselves (just mind most boats are build by teams of skilled people).

You want a bare grp hull, no problem. But do not waste your time dreaming you can make it a sailing boat 'for less'.

If you want a very very specific boat and it must be new: buy an old one, build mold, build a new one.

b.

[SkiprJohn]

Where in the world would you want the hull?

[europaflyer]

I believe Bowman in the UK still sell bare hulls, perhaps by connection Rustler will too. No harm in asking around a bit, worst that can happen is they say 'no'. Very few yards do, I think primarily because poorly fitted out amateur boats risk damaging their reputation. If you really are keen on a bare hull - and buying a 'project boat' will probably be cheaper even if you only use the hull - then I would target the smaller builders.

[Boracay]

A quick search showed up a 2002 52' Dufor with 5 cabins going for under $140k.

That much money wouldn't even scratch the surface of a refit, let alone do a major rebuild.

Better to get all your business plans sorted out then when all ducks are in a row buy a ready to go boat.

[terminalcitygrl]

Nor'Sea

[Efraim]

Stop looking! Here's one, ridiculously cheap too: $15,000 and that includes the engine!

Didi 34 incomplete by Dudley Dix Yacht Design

[keithwins]

There's a 54' Morgan hull on ebay right now, stored inside since 1970. Currently $16k and no bids. You might even be able to talk them down, I get the feeling they really want it out of their garage... You pick it up in MN. Apparently someone else had the same idea, long ago. Good luck with your project.

Morgan 54 Sailboat Hull & Deck for sale in Sailboats | eBay Motors

Keith

[Chasing Summer]

Lots of good comments and information. I'd had the dream of building a boat for more than 20 years. (then married .. no divorced) I found my boat, some ones abandon project sitting in a boat yard in Oceanside, CA. It has been there for 25 years. I bought it from the yard owner for really cheap to settle up past yard fees. She's a late 60s vintage so no core ... heavy, solid fiberglass. I'm a builder and mechanic by nature but I'm learning way more than I had ever dreamed. It's taking my way longer than I expected. ... but in the end I will have a great boat for a little less than had I gone out and bought one ready to sail. ... but that's not the end of it. The interior layout is mine. I know first hand all the systems and why they are there or not there. I've completely rebuilt the engine and this winter will rebuild the transmission. Spencer yachts my have initially built her but she's all my workmanship now. If I had to do it all over would I re-consider???? ... of course, I'd do things a little differently, but I'd still do the project. I don't regret one day of working on her.
The only thing I'd do differently is to totally strip her out and grind the inside before putting anything back inside. Except for the very bow and stern I've replaced everything inside her anyway.
Good luck on your search. What ever you decide remember that you still have to love her 6 months down the road.
Just one personal note of caution: stay away from cored fiberglass. I know, it's probably much lighter but at what cost? That's why I went with an older boat. Even an early 60s boat because they didn't really know the strength of fiberglass and they tended to lay them up much thicker than they needed to.
Anyway ... just my 3 cents on the subject.
Ok ... back to the boat to build up the stbd side cabin sides.

[SkiprJohn]

Originally Posted by Chasing Summer

Lots of good comments and information. I'd had the dream of building a boat for more than 20 years. (then married .. no divorced) I found my boat, some ones abandon project sitting in a boat yard in Oceanside, CA. It has been there for 25 years. I bought it from the yard owner for really cheap to settle up past yard fees. She's a late 60s vintage so no core ... heavy, solid fiberglass. I'm a builder and mechanic by nature but I'm learning way more than I had ever dreamed. It's taking my way longer than I expected. ... but in the end I will have a great boat for a little less than had I gone out and bought one ready to sail. ... but that's not the end of it. The interior layout is mine. I know first hand all the systems and why they are there or not there. I've completely rebuilt the engine and this winter will rebuild the transmission. Spencer yachts my have initially built her but she's all my workmanship now. If I had to do it all over would I re-consider???? ... of course, I'd do things a little differently, but I'd still do the project. I don't regret one day of working on her.
The only thing I'd do differently is to totally strip her out and grind the inside before putting anything back inside. Except for the very bow and stern I've replaced everything inside her anyway.
Good luck on your search. What ever you decide remember that you still have to love her 6 months down the road.
Just one personal note of caution: stay away from cored fiberglass. I know, it's probably much lighter but at what cost? That's why I went with an older boat. Even an early 60s boat because they didn't really know the strength of fiberglass and they tended to lay them up much thicker than they needed to.
Anyway ... just my 3 cents on the subject.
Ok ... back to the boat to build up the stbd side cabin sides.

Your project is much like mine but I'm at the point in my life where I'd actually enjoy sailing more than rebuilding so am going to state that I'd not do it again but would save some more cash and get an already sailing vessel with just a few items tha need repair.

kind regards,

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by keithwins

There's a 54' Morgan hull on ebay right now, stored inside since 1970. Currently $16k and no bids. You might even be able to talk them down, I get the feeling they really want it out of their garage... You pick it up in MN. Apparently someone else had the same idea, long ago. Good luck with your project.

Morgan 54 Sailboat Hull & Deck for sale in Sailboats | eBay Motors

Keith

The lead keel alone is worth $16k. Transporting the behemoth it is going to cost ya!

[roverhi]

When I commissioned my Morgan 35 at the yard Morgan used in St. Pete in 1973, there was a factory owned Morgan 54 that had been sitting there for a couple of years. Don't know whether it had been built on spec or a buyer had cancelled but Morgan Yachts, owned by Beatrice Foods at that time, was desperate to get rid of it. Rumor was something around $20,000 would take it. They are really beautiful boats, flush deck with dog house like some of the S&S designs of the time. There had been one in the Ala Wai Boat Harbor in Honolulu when I was stationed there in '70-'72. Charlie Morgan designed some of the best looking boats ever and I'd fallen in lust with the design walking the docks.

Thought seriously about about buying it but the boat had no options or sails. I had tapped out my credit line and income on the M-35. Even if I'd sold that boat, wouldn't have had the money to buy anything for the M-54 other than what I could transfer over from the M-35. Would have had to power it up to Norfolk where I was stationed and buying the fuel to do that was not in the budget. I couldn't have afforded to buy sails or anything for the boat even at that good deal price. For once, I did something reasonable and passed on it but very very regretfully. The M-54 is still at the top of my list of most beautiful boats ever.

[SKIPPER2C]

365 Dean in South Africa | Gumtree South Africa

0 - 036 ft Catamaran Moulds R115 000 - MUST BE SOLD! MAKE AN

52 ft Van der Laan - semi

Yes Sir. there are nice projects out there.