What Happens to a Totaled Boat?

[DenverSailors]

Originally Posted by Cadence

JMHO The OP is miles away, if someone is willing to put the money up front to buy her and he can make a buck and someone might make money on the parts. Everyone makes out. However the cost of disposing of the hull is another story.

For what it’s worth, “OP” is not interested in trying to make a buck here. If you can re-glorify the boat she’s all yours for whatever insurance wants.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by DenverSailors

For what it’s worth, “OP” is not interested in trying to make a buck here. If you can re-glorify the boat she’s all yours for whatever insurance wants.

You may be correct on the OP. It sounds like the transfer of ownership and disposal of the hull may be more expensive than to items salvaged. Someone would have to pay for having her on the hill.

I've been there years ago. I was fortunate. The old man that owned the yard burnt a 48footer for me for nada. Doubt it would happen today and she was wood. Would not happen today with glass. Disposing of the hull would be costly.

[Kenomac]

Cash the check and start over, that boat has bad karma.

[hpeer]

Just talked to some friends with a boat that ride out Irma in the BVI. Lots of topside damage, water intrusion but not up to engine, pumped out but a small hole in the hull above water line.

They are considering what to do with the boat. Good handy guy with time but in the BVIs, in the condition they are in, its not easy to stage a repair. He’s thinks repairs are about $5-$10k.

He’s considering selling but doesn’t even know how to go about that given local conditions.

Really kind of a damn tough spot.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by HopCar

Yup, she sank during the hurricane. I still don't know how. No holes. Three working bilge pumps. Batteries fully charged until the power went out.

I’m very sorry to hear that.
I hope you haven’t given up.

[HopCar]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I’m very sorry to hear that.
I hope you haven’t given up.

I'm looking. I think I'll take my time and get a handle on how much retirement is going to cost and decide how much I can afford to spend on a boat.

Possum was an Ellis 28. Ellis makes a 32 that is a lot bigger. There is a nice used one for sale on their website, but the money seems pretty big for me to spend.

[Clamdigger]

Originally Posted by JeffH

Take the money & buy another sailboat you can love. There's another Gulfstar Sailmaster 39 in Sandy Hook, NJ, asking price $45K. You would much rather be sailing!

If you want me to put eyes on the above boat for you PM me. It's local to me if it's really here in Sandy Hook area.

[Clamdigger]

Originally Posted by Movinon1

I am interested in finding a salvage boat, but in the 44'+ size.
Are there particular places that one may look to find salvage boats for sale?

yachtsalvage.com
cheapboats4sale.com (IIRCC)

[donradcliffe]

Originally Posted by Dave22q

For the non expert there is only one option; strip it and run. If the engine was not pickled shortly after the recovery it is most likely junk.

Please explain how falling off jackstands when the boat is out of the water makes the engine junk.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

Please explain how falling off jackstands when the boat is out of the water makes the engine junk.

you don't pickle your engine when in the yard?

[Cadence]

Unless the water came up enough to float or semi float the boat I would have to question the blocking or stands as being adequate. There may be some yard liability?

[hellosailor]

"Please explain how...makes the engine junk."
I asked the same question about car engines after an accident once. The answer is that it may or may not. But if the drivetrain (propshaft) was impacted, that may leave crankshaft/bearing damage internally, and the only way to determine that is by opening up the bottom of the engine and examining the crank--in detail. $$$$
Similarly, the motor mounts are not designed for that kind of impact. If the engine has shifted on them, the drivetrain may have also torqued the rear seals and that may need attention.
Odds are, the engine is still good. (Whether the a/f drained out and left it dry, not such a big issue.) But from an insurer's perspective, they can't say that without taking things apart to confirm there are no internal problems from shocks. They'd rather total it, because they're learned that's the cheapest solution, for them, in the long run.
Someone who is lucky can get a great deal on a "totalled" engine that way.

[james247]

Originally Posted by DenverSailors

Our 1981 Gulfstar Sailmaster 39 was knocked off her stands by Irma in St. Augustine a week after we bought her. I met with a marine surveyor last week who believes she will be “CTL” (Constructive Total Loss). The hull is “fractured,” the boat “twisted” as she fell, and the mast bent such that it is a total loss.

It took a us many, many months (years, really) to find her, and the only time we floated her was alongside Captain Bill of BoatUS as he towed her from the seller’s dock to the yard for a bottom job; I bonded with her mostly in my dreams.

I understand that if she is totaled, the insurance company will write me a check, and offer me the opportunity to buy her back for virtually nothing.

I would rather be sailing than sanding, I have next to no experience with fiberglass (though I’m sure Don Casey can show me the way!), the Perkins 4-108 was overhauled in 2015 and has low hours since, and I live 2000 miles away.

What would you do?

Keep her, dig in, get it done, and keep the dream alive?

Walk away?

What happens to boats like this when they are auctioned?

Thank you in advance.

It's pretty simple the boat is sold.
Emotional ties are at this time unrealistic.
The buyer will strip the items of value to recoup his cost
Or if he is a pro with skills he will put her in his yard and at quiet times attend to repairs.
Depending on your skills you could do the same. But you need to ask the question do you want a hobby of boat repair or cruising.
Ultimately before she can be realistically used or reinsured she will need a stringent survey. This survey should include interim checks by a surveyor to ensure you are not taking unwise short cuts

[Bentwings]

There are a number of replies . Answere in’s the question I would take the insurance and run. You may be able to find a lookalike or another exact replacement but that’s really a stretch fixing it yourself is just a huge issue . First you will need a shop of some sorts . Then an enormous number of tools and knowledge of boat systems . Boat wiring alone can be a nightmare unless near new. You probably will have to overhaul the engine or engines . This kind of work is extremely expensive as automotive machine shops are getting rare then getting parts may be a challenge .

Now to get to what happens to wrecked boats . Most have hardware stripped out marked and stored . Then the hull is cut up often shredded . Fiberglas does not recycle easily Often it ends up in a land fill sadly you can’t realy burn it due to environment issues some times it’s mixed with concrete or pavement materials there are not a lot of places that do this however. Some boats have a lot of carbon fiber ans Kevlar material these are even harder to get rid of. I’ve heard of mixing it up with various building products then compressed and hauled out to remote areas in our western desserts and buried . It’s huge environmental issue as you can see I’ve lost three cars in totals. All I really missed as they were carefully chosen and well cared for I barely broke even on them verses what the real market value was . But I just good buy and started over . I lived aboard for two years and went through two near record blizzards her in norther minn . We’re my healt better I would be still on my boat but opportunity came and the boat owed me nothing so I abandoned ship . Ironically it’s still sitting on the shore. The new owner has not done anything with it so it’s probably headed forvthe scrap yard