39’ bare hull Kelsall Catamaran

[Canoe52]

Close friend’s dad got as far as completing the shell of a 39’ Kelsall sailing catamaran before ill health forced him to quit. He’s in a home now and she’s at a loss of what to with his boat. Need advice as to where to advertise to find someone interested in buying it and what to ask for it? It’s currently being stored in a dry machine shed in the Pacific Northwest, about an hour north of Seattle, and would need to be moved. She’s not looking to make much off of it, but doesn’t want to necessarily give it away either. Any advice would be much appreciated.

[Canoe52]

Pic of the boat

[Matt Johnson]

Unfortunately, I think the cost to move exceeds the value of the plywood hull. I can't see for sure in that photo, but one selling point may be that in its current stage it could still be cut in half and transported a bit easier.

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by Matt Johnson

Unfortunately, I think the cost to move exceeds the value of the plywood hull. I can't see for sure in that photo, but one selling point may be that in its current stage it could still be cut in half and transported a bit easier.

It's unlikely to be plywood. Kelsell was one of the earliest designers specializing in foam cored construction.
Just say'in.

To the OP I suggest contacting Kelsell's design office. Even though he passed away recently, I think his daughter keeps the office going. She might know of possibly interested people.

http://www.kelsall.com/

Good luck.

[Canoe52]

Looks like he decided to build it with epoxy, marine ply and strip plank. Rather than the Kelsall method. Here’s a few more pics.
The daughter wrote to Kelsall’s design office last year and sent these pictures but never heard back.

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by Canoe52

Looks like he decided to build it with epoxy, marine ply and strip plank. Rather than the Kelsall method. Here’s a few more pics.

The daughter wrote to Kelsall’s design office last year and sent these pictures but never heard back.

Uups plywood after all. That's surprising. Wonder what that does to the weight schedule. But could well be that Kelsall did design also some plywood options.

Maybe the daughter could call them or try some specialist multihull brokers.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Franziska

Uups plywood after all. That's surprising. Wonder what that does to the weight schedule. But could well be that Kelsall did design also some plywood options.

Maybe the daughter could call them or try some specialist multihull brokers.

Wood *can* be as light as foam construction using Okoume, etc.

But that’s doesn’t look like top end Okoume ply peeking through the glass. So probably are some weight penalties.

Also I’m surprised not to see the Kelksall hard chines.

In addition to the above advice about trying to find people through the Kelsall office, I’m thinking someone would probably want to finish it right where it is. So a local person might be better than looking internationally.

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by Chotu

Wood *can* be as light as foam construction using Okoume, etc.

But that’s doesn’t look like top end Okoume ply peeking through the glass. So probably are some weight penalties.

Also I’m surprised not to see the Kelksall hard chines.

In addition to the above advice about trying to find people through the Kelsall office, I’m thinking someone would probably want to finish it right where it is. So a local person might be better than looking internationally.

Right, but I am wondering if Kelsall had plywood construction scantlings. He may have though...

Local multihull broker...

[catsketcher]

I think you should let your friend know that the costs of completing the boat will be higher than buying an equivalent complete and sailing boat. In essence, the boat is worthless. There is a huge amount of work involved in the fitting out and this build is not even a shell - it is maybe 20% of the way along. So why build someone else's choice of older design when there is still 80% to go?

If any of my friends asked me I would tell them to stay well away. Why build an old and pretty much obselete design when you could build a nice foam Schionning, Grainger, White or similar and get a modern cat with help from an active design studio.

Although it is very sad, I would not recommend anyone pick this project up. You really need to build a boat within about 4-5 years or the project stagnates and impetus goes. Your friend will probably have to give the shell away to get it moved. I think you should let them get ready to be disappointed.

cheers

Phil

[ThomD]

There is an active multihull club in Seattle, to the extent you can/could get discounts all over town. Maybe they have a boats for sale section on their website.


There is Craigslist.


The boat looks like it is still on forms. If, however, it consists of two completely structurally finished hulls, that are in that position because they were to be joined to the deck, possibly still in three pieces, then at least it could be moved to a different site by truck.

They need to figure out what this thing is. Did the builder go off on flights of fancy, making all kinds of alterations to the plans, or do we actually have something that has a brand and proven engineering associated with it. A large number of home builders go off on tangents, and these projects can work out well, but it really requires them to prove the concept. If he diverged from plans what was supposed to happen next? It is very tough on a project as it nears completion to face the fact one may have a dud, it really saps confidence, and it hits around the time one has to start pouring in huge dough on rigging, sails, and engine, electronics, etc...


The work looks pretty nice, but as we head into perhaps the worst economy in 100 years, the sellers have to be realistic. I put a deposit on a 37' trimaran, that had a custom aluminum trailer, and two nice outboards. It was proven, and a KHSD design, the asking price was 13.5 K. It was in driveaway condition. That was back in the dip around '09. Prices could get crazy low again.


What is the actual objective here? Getting anything like the money out of it that was put into it is a 1 in a million shot. I would be looking at a free project, because the person who buys this is probably better off starting afresh. If the owners want to clear the barn to sell the property, or just clear the barn, they should be looking at reducing their disposal costs.


There is a guy in NB who is trying to sell a "kit" for a CC32. Cute boat that is a bit like a VAL trimaran. All he has is building materials and some vaccum bagged panels. He wanted 10K ( 7.2 US) last year, but nobody nibbled. You could build a better boat for half that price in Cylinder mold. Basically he wants something close to the cost of the KHSD 37 footer, I passed on (shipping problems), for nothing much more than some plywood and ancient plans. The guy put a lot of effort into a false start, where the person who buys it will be further behind in their project, even though some major steps have been completed. Really important to look at these things from the buyer's side.

[jdazey]

Post a message on the NWMA google group:


https://groups.google.com/g/northwes...ll-association


There are people in the area that have taken on stranger projects.

[Cavalier MK2]

The real question is are there plans to go with it and did they include plywood. If a Kelsall design which one? Free if you can find a taker, but costs of moving and and setting up wouldn't make sense and continuing a on site build would take.an iron clad rent agreement as well as the understanding your friend would still be.disposing of the hull x years down the road when the new builder gives up.

On the disposal end you can do a lot with an assortment of saws and a U-Haul truck. A Searunner 31 main hull reduced to to flat panels fills a 16 footer twice .... Maybe get with the local fire district and drag it outside and let them do a practice burn.

[Canoe52]

Thanks everyone for your input and suggestions. We were looking for a good appraisement of the situation and you provided, appreciate all your help.

[Canoe52]

Update: The family appreciated the advice and candor from everyone here (I gave them a link to this thread). They decided that the best thing was to have a demo party in honor of him this summer and then haul it to the landfill. Thanks again!

[Cavalier MK2]

So for the demo party - fastest boat cutting I've found is something like the Hilti concrete saw. You can rent them, make sure it is a all purpose/all materials diamond blade and remember to tell them you are cutting concrete and asphalt, not a boat. Chains saws - need lots of extra chains. Circular saws- worm or hypoid drive and carbide blades. Sawzall- bimetal blades.

I'd grab the Hilti but you could have fun getting the crew to bring their favorites and race them.

Beer after the demolition of course.