Cheap Gunboat 55

[hoppy]

Anyone here want to proudly be able boast you own a Gunboat but part with little money?

2014 55ft Gunboat catamaran - Cooper Capital Specialty Salvage

A nice little project for someone

[Steadman Uhlich]

I wondered what became of the Gumboat "Rainmaker."

The ad says it was at sea adrift for over a year.

For anyone who is not aware of this notorious boats story, and the USCG rescue of her crew, here is a link to a lengthy thread here on CF where all aspects were discussed, up to this recovery or salvage of the hulk. Just be aware there are 70 PAGES of comments on that loooooong thread.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ng-140508.html

[Dulcesuenos]

Dinghy'd past her several times in may, floating pretty good on one side other side just a foot or two above the water. No coach roof, rudders or much else. Not sure the foam core material used and how much moisture it has absorbed as it was exposed in several smaller places but seemed intact.

Sent from my PLT1077G using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[neilpride]

Could be a nice project if the sandwich is intact... CF is not a problem ...

[SV DestinyAscen]

Wow - quite a sad state it is in. My question are two fold: if a buyer purchases it and refits it, then the prior owner/insurance company then persues admiralty options, don't the new owner face potential claim from both the prior owner/insurance and also the salvage company?

Reading the ad, if the original builder won't buy it for 15k to rebuild it (imagine there positive spin one can say about the construction), don't think a private buyer should).

[Andrew Grace]

Sailors are very superstitious folk , can you really image someone is going to spend another USD 1 million ++ on this?

[Bill Seal]

Put a deck on it and turn it into a floating bar in Key West.

[Dulcesuenos]

Originally Posted by SV DestinyAscen

Wow - quite a sad state it is in. My question are two fold: if a buyer purchases it and refits it, then the prior owner/insurance company then persues admiralty options, don't the new owner face potential claim from both the prior owner/insurance and also the salvage company?

Reading the ad, if the original builder won't buy it for 15k to rebuild it (imagine there positive spin one can say about the construction), don't think a private buyer should).

I would have to think he insurance co would have given up any claim by now, especially to avoid recovery ,storage fees etc. Dont think ownership would be an issue. It was surprisingly how few barnacles were growing on her "carbon fiber" areas below water. I wonder how much $ youd have to spend to get it back together.

Sent from my PLT1077G using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[hoppy]

Originally Posted by Andrew Grace

Sailors are very superstitious folk , can you really image someone is going to spend another USD 1 million ++ on this?

I doubt that anyone would spend another million on it if they have that sort of money. They'd be better off buying a used one.

If the hull is sound enough, perhaps someone who was planning a home build could use it as a starting point in their project.

[Kenomac]

Tow it to Richardson Bay, Sausalito, CA and use as a high end, luxury liveaboard.

[SDChristian]

I wonder if it could be shipped over land to the San Diego? I find myself day dreaming about getting it down to TIjuana for restoration.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by SV DestinyAscen

Wow - quite a sad state it is in. My question are two fold: if a buyer purchases it and refits it, then the prior owner/insurance company then persues admiralty options, don't the new owner face potential claim from both the prior owner/insurance and also the salvage company?

Reading the ad, if the original builder won't buy it for 15k to rebuild it (imagine there positive spin one can say about the construction), don't think a private buyer should).

Obviously, you would be foolish to buy it without getting clear title but it's probably not that bad. If it did go to court, at best the prior owner/insurance would get the value it held when recovered minus a salvage reward, so it's not going to be much.

Unfortunately as anyone who has looked into building a cruising boat will tell you, building the hull is only a small percentage of the overall build and that's all it looks like you get if you buy this. Everything else is trashed or missing. To bring this back to a decent quality, it would be cheaper to just buy a used version already in good condition.

As far as the original builder...builders typically build new boats. Retrofitting or salvaging hulks is a far different business. Plus I believe gunboat is having bankruptcy issues, so not necessarily the time to break into a new business sector.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by hoppy

I doubt that anyone would spend another million on it if they have that sort of money. They'd be better off buying a used one.

If the hull is sound enough, perhaps someone who was planning a home build could use it as a starting point in their project.

Yep. At $15k it could be an absolute bargain. If it was in Aus I'd be seriously tempted.

[hoppy]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Yep. At $15k it could be an absolute bargain. If it was in Aus I'd be seriously tempted.

I guess shipped to Aus it would be a $50k hull

[stillbuilding]

Bermuda airfares, storage, repair and transit to Florida, Florida storage, more towing, shipping, port charges US and Aus. Everyone taking a bite as you pass by. Hmmm, not so tempting.

You are right $50k - 100K.

Doable but not a quiet life.

Been there, done that.


Sent from my iPhone