Looking for some advice when buying a boat.

[zooplax]

Hi All

I’m just looking for some advice on a boat we have been looking at. The boat has a few problems and we are trying to work out if it is worth while taking it on or not....

1, The boat in question has a Steel hull which at the moment has a covering of fibreglass, this however is coming off so either and will need replaced or something done with it, thing is we have no idea what could be underneath all we can see is there are rust marks all over the hull... any suggestions??.. if there was a lot of damage to the steel hull how long would it take to fix on a 56 ft boat? and does anyone have any ideas of costing for that kind of work in a worst case scenario?? Say we had to replace a lot of the steel sheets.. Could an audio gauge tell me something about it and what would it tell me?

2, The paint in places needs repainted, however I’ve noticed some rust patches coming through any ideas what this suggest?

3, Engine is dirty as well as the bilges seem to have some oil and are damp.

4, finally on a worst case situation anyone got an idea of how much a new set of sails for a 56ft sloop would cost?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice you can give, sadly I don’t have a lot more details at the moment than what I have given so hoping you can read make some assumptions with your feedback.

[atoll]

i am assuming this is a troll,if it isn't dont walk.......... run

[zooplax]

Originally Posted by atoll

i am assuming this is a troll,if it isn't dont walk.......... run

A troll?? would you like to expand on that..

[limejucer]

The troll sugestion is because the problems you identify suggests running is a no brainer. that you cant be that inocent
So advice is run as why would you cover a steel hull as it is likely to be totaly shot and hence worthless go find some thing good instead.
BTY if you are that inocent then a 50 ft plus boat might be a bit much to learn on like a F1 car during a race for your first drive

[zeehag]

sorry i have to agree with atoll--the boat sounds like a junk yard rat. there is a reason someone would attempt to cover a steel boat in fg--but it wont work and boat will still sink. before coffee.
run like stink.

[Stumble]

The only reason I can think of to sheath a steel hull in fiberglass would be if the steel plating is thinned, and it needs to be replaced. Instead someone made a cheap repair, and got a few years extra out of it. Which is fine, but there is no reason for you to buy into a junker.

There may be a reason to do this I can't think of, so I might ask a NA if I really loved the boat. But without their assurance of the justification, and problems that might entail there is no way I would move forward.

[Sailmonkey]

From experience with commercial steel vessels.......the cost of hull plating replacement will very often cost more than the value of the vessel.

This is not a boat you want to buy, the fiberglass over the hull make the corrosion even worse.

[Excalibur5]

I'm sure this is the boat he is talking about. Looks like one to buy for scrap value, not to try to fix. RUN. Don't walk. This one should be melted down for scrap.

GSA Auctions®, General Services Administration, Government Site for Auctions

Click on "boats and marine equipment"
Scroll to bottom "1988 Atlantis V Carvel Auxilliary"

[SailingwithSoul]

Originally Posted by Excalibur5

I'm sure this is the boat he is talking about. Looks like one to buy for scrap value, not to try to fix. RUN. Don't walk. This one should be melted down for scrap.

GSA Auctions®, General Services Administration, Government Site for Auctions

Click on "boats and marine equipment"
Scroll to bottom "1988 Atlantis V Carvel Auxilliary"

WoW... Indeed, this must be the boat. I've heard of Fiberglass over wood, but never over steel. Depending on the rust/hull conditions, maybe I would offer then $1,500.00. No way would I spend any more, given the amount of money you would need to get her running. If you feel like rolling the dice, wait till after the auction, then give them a low ball offer. If they take it, great! If not, you're still a winner.

Sails will be expensive, but the hull/engine/electrical systems will take priority. With a worn prop, I would definitively look for electrical corrosion. If you are not super handy and capable, then

[bill352]

You get a good story along with the boat:

John Stirling, Canadian Busted With 800 Lbs of Coke, Tells FBI "There's Nothing Wrong With Cocaine Trafficking" - Miami News - Riptide 2.0

[SailingwithSoul]

Originally Posted by bill352

You get a good story along with the boat:

John Stirling, Canadian Busted With 800 Lbs of Coke, Tells FBI "There's Nothing Wrong With Cocaine Trafficking" - Miami News - Riptide 2.0

Ha ha...Good story. That skipper's luck may have finally run out. But now that I know that that interior was torn during the search, I would amend my purchase offer down to $750.00, to offset the additional repair costs

[atoll]

here is a fixer upper for you ,and for free to a good home!

Yacht hull for restoration with cradle | eBay