Boat Run Aground, Damaged - Buy?

[Panamajames]

I am considering buying a Hunter 466 with some damage to the keel and the composite rudder shaft. I boat had run aground. Sales people told me it could be fixed for less than $6k. What else should I look for and how bad could this be when its hauled and repaired. Boat is still in the water and rudder works but shaft and rudder and keel need repair. Any thoughts.
The Hunter is a 2004 and the price seems really fair. Thanks for your advise.
I have not looked at the damage. The question you will ask is why am
I considering this boat.. Low hours, newer and a super price.

[slomotion]

Just about all cruiser class boats have run aground - usually with zero or little damage. Your question is, of course, appropriate. But, only a surveyor or other expert you have some reason to trust can fairly assess and advise you regarding the damage, consequences, and repair costs for this particular boat.

[Fishspearit]

Originally Posted by Panamajames

Sales people told me it could be fixed for less than $6k.

The sales people aren't the ones I would be trusting with a repair quote.

I wouldn't be afraid of a boat because it had been damaged, just have a firm repair quote from a yard and a good surveyor's opinion before you decide if you want to buy it. There are an awful lot of boats out there that have been damaged and repaired. There's not much that can't be repaired to as good as new, as long as you have the time and money.

[DeepFrz]

I would think it imperative that you have it surveyed and also make the purchase conditional to repairs. If the damage is only 6k then the PO shouldn't have any qualms about paying for the repairs. There could be damage to the hull that would only be apparent after haul out and a thorough survey.

[Cheechako]

Be sure to check just forward and behind the keel. If the keel was hit hard enough, there may be cracks in those areas where the hull flexed vertically. (down in front, up behind) These usually exhibit as quarter moon or scimitar shaped cracks. If there are hairline or worse cracks in those areas, anything tabbed inside the hull is suspect, look close at the engine bed and bulkheads etc glassed to the hull in those areas. Also if the hull flexed enough to crack, then it may have temporarily "bulged" at the beam, which could have broke loose galley cabinetry etc. If none of this is evident... doesnt sound too big a deal....

[fareweather]

Sales people told me it could be fixed for less than $6k.

Triple it or get second/third opinion.

[Paul L]

You need to check the engine mounts, prop struts, bulkhead tabbing, rudder bearings, rudder shaft. This is what you pay a good, independent surveyor to do for you after you've gone over the boat.

Paul L

[Cheechako]

When I worked for a charter company, a bareboater hit a rock motoring fast. Broke the layup fore and aft of the keel and various other things, engine bed etc. Catalina 42 at 6.5+ knots, Puget Sound Rock at 0 knots! 24000 lbs coming to an immediate stop by a 6ft lever arm (draft)....hmmmm....stess level in the fiber is pretty high I would guess! Charts are meant to be looked at. Boats are not like cars, you dont just turn the key and go!

[TaoJones]

Originally Posted by Fishspearit

<snip>There's not much that can't be repaired to as good as new, as long as you have the time and money.

True, perhaps, but with all of the vessels available now, why buy trouble?

TaoJones

[hellosailor]

From what I've heard, a composite rudder and shaft alone could cost you $5000 delivered. And if the shaft was damaged by the impact, you must assume the rudder is also toast, regardless of visible damages.

Then there's the keel to inspect, the rudder tube and hull proper. More likely this is $10-20,000 in repairs, depending on what else is involved and the costs of hauling and storage and what a yard will charge assuming you aren't doing the work.

I'd suggest getting some detailed pictures and then asking the yard of your choice, and Hunter themselves, for a closer ballpark.

If you don't have mechanical experience with boat repairs, it is VERY easy to get VERY burned with "bent boats".

[Newbie1]

Originally Posted by Panamajames

Sales people told me it could be fixed for less than $6k.

Make them give that promise in writing! Make it all legal! And make them pay the difference!


Newbie1

[forsailbyowner]

Just for comparison of monies my brother just bought same year and length hunter for $160k with all systems go