Project Boat - Good Idea?

[Boracay]

We do criticize the trend to larger boats but for those of us who are a little older a larger boat means that we can fit without contorting our older bones (and joints).

I would have thought that the overwhelming requirement would be to get a boat with the largest possible interior space.

While we may have romantic memories of sailing when younger some turn to the dark side and convert to power as they get older.

[forsailbyowner]

The test for wood cored decks I use is to walk the whole deck. It should feel hard like walking on a sidewalk. Any springiness creaking or crackling are bad news.

We ressurected a hurricane damaged boat that was totalled and auctioned on ebay. I've never even considered resale value. The only relevant value to me was getting something I could afford and get out there. The prices listed and survey values are false values to me. We've replaced every pump, piece of electronics, electric fitting, line on our boat that worked fine when we bought the boat. Unless its fresh with a warranty I wouldn't include it in the boats value and would consider it on the verge of failure. If you buy a boat at a deal and install these failure prone items yourself with warranty iMHO you will be better off. Consider the hatches. The gaskets are old hardened and need to be refreshed. Another boat same model may not leak NOW but will start sprouting leak after leak as the years go by. If you refresh the gaskets you have the full lifetime of the gaskets without having to deal with leaks developing one by one. The diesel tune up you mentioned. You should do all to an unknown motor that you'll do to it. Filters, fluids, pump service, anodes, rubber inspection,starter and alternator bench test and inspection. If you spent the extra 5k for a boat that has been in service you may find out you've replaced and fixed everything that was wrong with the other within a year.

[Target9000]

Thanks for all your advice. we decided not to go with the project boat.

I'll be posting other things as we look at other boats.

Thanks so much again for all your worldly knowledge and help.

Danielle (Target 9000's better half)

[Stillraining]

Good decition!

[Fishman_Tx]

Was this the one?
1978 Seafarer 26 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com
A nice CS 27 in Slidell.
1977 Canadian sail CS Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

[Stillraining]

Here is one close to you and looks like a pretty nice clean little boat...Fresh water kept as well...probably move right aboard

1973 Catalina Tall Rig Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

[Chief Engineer]

I will PM you about a decent boat near me......Has a freshwater cooled A-4.