Where do I start

[jhthorpe85718]

Hi:

New to forum...but not to sailing!....getting back into sailing due to a long hiatus with kids...family...work, you know all those things that happen after you become responsible.

Anyway....fell in "like" with a 40 Hans Christina Christina....I have had Hunters all my life and I think its' time for a change. I think I want something that sails like a Buick...rather than a Chevy. Not that Chevys are bad....just that Buick's...you know, when you get my age...almost ready to retire....well they are more comfortable.

Here's the problem and here is where I need the help.

1) Theres not a lot of HC Christinas around....I'm not sure why....looked like a great layout for a 1986 sailboat...not a double ender...but built like a traditional HC....I don't have a knowledge base.
2)The boat has been on the hard for 7 years in a hot climate. Don't get me wrong...it doesn't look bad at all...as a matter of fact it looks great...but...not being in the water for 6 years at least....scary
3)Where do I start figuring out how much it's going to cost to get it seaworthy. I appears as if it can go right in and be seaworthy...but sailing all my life tells me that's probably not the case.
4)HELP...where do I start....

Engine---4500 hours....Yanmar...looks great but who knows after all these years
Sails----Assuming I need new ones how much
Standing Rigging- What's the best way to determine what's good and what's not...I'm too old and fat to get take a ride in a bosuns chair
Halyards etc---replace them all?
Electrical...I understand HC's were and may be an electrical nightmare
Through Hulls...probably really important? Huh
Blisters-

Don't get me wrong....I don't think the boat is a basket case. by any stretch of the imagination....just don't know whether it will be a bottomless pit either....I have funds to fix it up....but my wife and house will take priority.

Yeah...I know some of you will tell me to get a surveyor....and I will, but not all surveyors are alike...this is an older boat, with older stuff, and it requires (I think) a surveyor, electric guy, a rigger, a diesel mechanic, to get a good total picture of the boat.
I don't mind spending the money if I'm going to buy the boat....but, I do mind if I am going to invest the money to investigate the boat, do a sea trial, find out all kind's of things wrong and not have the seller fix them for the boat to be seaworthy. I'm not talking the teak or the brightwork...I'm talking the important stuff....engine, rigging, sails, plumbing, electrical, electronics. etc.

So...any advice would be appreciated. after all, it's seems like it will only be a matter of money....but I got a good feeling about this one...this boat seems to have a good soul....so...help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

[David M]

Get a good marine surveyor to let you know what needs to be repaired or upgraded. Then take the boat to a good yard with the survey to get an estimate or price quote on what it is going to cost to do the necessary work. The yard will need to see the boat in person. Never trust a sellers or a yacht brokers survey.

The surveyor is going to cost you but it is money well spent and pretty much required if you want to reduce the chances of getting burned by unanticipated costs. There is no guarantee that you won't get burned by unanticipated costs but at least with a good surveyor your chances have been reduced. The good news is that the yard quotes are free.

I know it's too late now, but never fall in love with a specific boat before the survey.

[SkiprJohn]

Originally Posted by David M

Get a good marine surveyor to let you know what needs to be repaired or upgraded. Then take the boat to a good yard with the survey to get an estimate or price quote on what it is going to cost to do the necessary work. The yard will need to see the boat in person. Never trust a sellers or a yacht brokers survey.

The surveyor is going to cost you but it is money well spent and pretty much required if you don't want to get burned by unanticipated costs. The good news is that the yard quotes are free.

I know it's too late now, but never fall in love with a boat before the survey.

Too late. You've fallen in love. No matter how many things a surveyor will find wrong and how much money it will cost to fix you'll still want her.

Congratulations!

[a64pilot]

Hull is as dry as it will ever get. If you were considering a barrier coat, now would be the time?
Am I wrong on that?
I'm thinking mid 80's boat, and blisters




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[jhthorpe85718]

Thanks so far for the advice.

Yea....falling in love is a tough thing...but, I'm in like not love, so hopefully with advice....I'll either save myself....or fall in love

Problem with surverying is that there doesn't seem to be much accountability ie: all kinds of disclaimers etc....so...you pay a good deal of money for nothing more than an opinion...am I incorrect. In addition...you are limited to the area you are dealing in. In this case Mexico....not that that's bad at all, but, you don't have the choices you do in the states.

Is it better to go with "specialists" with an older boat ie: a rigging guy, a hull guy, a diesel mechanic, and marine electrician etc...then to a sea trail?

[skipmac]

Am in the final stages of a refit on a 42' Pearson so some of my numbers should be close to what you would encounter. All in very, very round numbers.

Standing Rigging - Cutter rig. All new standing rigging, including chainplates, turnbuckles, toggles, etc about $4000. I will install it myself when I launch.

Running rigging - if you replace all the sheets and halyards maybe $1000.

Sails - est $3000-$3500 each for main and genoa new. Less for smaller sails.

4500 hours might be a lot depending on the engine. I would have that checked out very carefully. New repower figure $10-$20,000 (depends on how much DIY, transmission or not, etc).

Others.

After sitting for years in a hot climate probably have to replace all the upholstery. $1000-$2000.

Wiring - If you replace it all and DIY a couple thousand and a couple hundred hours.

Make a list of all the other parts and systems that might need replacing. No matter how careful you are estimating it will cost twice what you estimate. CAUTION, don't make and estimate and double it trying to beat the system. It will just end up costing you even more.

[lifeofreilly57]

The problem with a diesel mechanic, rigger, electrical technician, etc, etc is that they have a conflict of interest, if they tell you everything is great they make no money, almost every time I ask a certain local rigging house about my rigging I get the doom and gloom report. They tell me there is much that needs replacement, even though the standing rigging is 3 years old with barely any use (the previous owner had it all replaced then had health issues and barely used the boat). I inspected it and did the die tests on the fittings myself, it's in excellent condition.
Unless you know the specialist and their reputation you may get a big thumping, in the form of unneeded repairs.
A surveyor has no vested financial interest beyond the survey, his reputation rides on the accuracy of his findings. The internet is a powerful tool, one bad survey can ruin a reputation, do your homework and look into the prior work done by the surveyor you hire, a little research goes a long way. You'll need one anyway if you want to get insurance.

[Sondor]

I haven't personally yet read this book, however, I've seen it recommended on the forumn here several times. After reading your post, it struck me as perhaps being just what you need for a first step - Inspecting the Aging Sailboat

Good luck - she looks a treat!

[Terra Nova]

You're asking for trouble if you are buying, out of the country, a yacht which cannot even be sea-trialed. And one whose history cries neglect and disuse.

How can you expect to find an excellent surveyor familiar with the boat type?

Do you understand the difficulties and "fees", etc in re-fitting a yacht in Mexico? The difficulty in finding qualified technical help? Parts and materials? Virtually everything for a yacht must be imported.

This may sound like a great adventure and a cheap price. But make sure you have a good idea of the amount of work and expense you are assuming.