Bruce Roberts Offshore 44 refit

[offrd2001]

I am new to larger boats (over 25 ft) and have decided to buy one and refit myself. Ive always been a fan of Bruce Roberts designs and have happened across a Offshore 44. It was commissioned in 96 and sailed extensively until 2002 when the owner sold it. The current owner did not like the interior and completely tore it all out to start over but never got around to it. Now, Im facing a bare steel hull (professionally built by a builder). Mast and rigging are all included along with a perkins engine that looks to be more or less in pieces. I know that this will be an extensive project and since I work overseas, most would not be done by me but done more or less professionally. I want to know if anyone has any idea of ball park costs I could be facing. Also, I plan to fit the boat for world cruising and am partial to a pilot house which I would have to add. Anyone who has made this addition, I would appreciate any help. Thanks for any input.

comon and steeer it up -Bob Marley

[sneuman]

I think it would be difficult to give you a dollar figure, as there are so many variables involved. However, I do believe that the hull and rigging are considered no more than 50% of the cost of the boat. So, a rough figure might be to look at what you're going to spend on what's there and double it, then add in 10% as a fudge factor.

[James S]

$200,000

[Boracay]

Unless your situation is really special it is very likely that you could buy a very nice yacht in very good condition for what it will cost you to buy and fit out the Roberts.

[offrd2001]

I had the same problem when I was looking for a house. They all didnt scream..BUY ME! I didnt like this or I thought that was too ugly. What did I do? I bought a house that looked good on the inside and turned it into a home. Yea, I probably could have bought a cheaper house but then again thats all it would have been...a house, not a home. I think Ive looked at just about every listing for used sailboats and I havnt seen any that I really liked. Yea, I could buy one thats nice, all fitted out, everything I need and then I would decide to change it all...thats just my nature. Instead of buying the expensive boat, It seems Im more suited to buy the "cheaper" one and spend the money fitting it myself. Of course, I could be wrong.

[Boracay]

I brought Boracay as a "low cost" entry to cruising.

So far I estimate that I am over $100k and 3000 hours (2 1/2 years) into the project. I probably have $50k and 1500 hours to go.

If I had worked instead of buying a boat I would have (economic conditions aside) over $200k ($300k including foreshadowed costs) to spend. This looks to buy a "creampuff" cruise ready boat.

Don't let the stories about how nice steel boats are fool you. There is nothing quite as good as a well built fibreglass boat. That is why there are so many of them.

If you are planning to go ahead then the work needs to be done on a boat out of the water, close to where you live, if not your backyard.

As well as a survey you need some steel boat owners to look at your prospective purchase.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Boracay

"creampuff" cruise ready boat.

Originally Posted by Boracay

.

OK, I'll admit it. I'm a creampuff!

Its hard enough to get a creampuff to sea and keep it afloat. You would really need to be savvy to do what Chris off Boracay, and many others have done.

Remember the classic Literature: Dirty Harry: A Mans gota know his limitations.

I KNOW mine

Mark

[offrd2001]

So far Ive got 3 dont do it's and run away and one not sure. Keep the replies coming.

[James S]

If you REALLY REALLY love working on your boat, then count my 200gs a a do it....but do it right!

If you REALLY REALLY want to go sailing on your own boat any time soon its a dont do it!

[witzgall]

If you are a good carpenter, and do well thinking and designing spatially, then you can do it. It will cost a good bit of money, and a few years minimum of your time. A 44 foot boat is allot of woodwork etc, but the plus is that with that much space, if you design simply, there can be less potentially difficult corners - junctions, etc.

Dave Martin gutted and rebuilt a Chatham 33, Driver, for a multi year voyage with his family. The photos look like he did an outstanding job. I think I read that he spent most of his free time doing it for the better part of two years. And this was his second boat that he gutted, so he had some experience. Read the book or watch the movie "into the Light".

Chris

All this time you you have to maintain your steel hull as well.

Chris

[MarkJ]

You also need to rsearch.. when its all done will you be able to sell it? And for what price compared to what you put into it.

[offrd2001]

Mark, you are right....will it sell after Ive moved on to something else...Question is, its hard to tell. Ive seem these designs selling for 90 + and then Ive seen them selling for 40 -. That must be because there is no standard on a home built boat. Good thing about this one will be that the hull was professionally built and it will be fitted professionally as well. The most I will be doing to it is making small changes here and there once I start sailing and realize that I really dont like the way something is. Ive just come to realize a Jeep on land is as a sailboat in water.....always changing something.

Thanks guys and gals for all the advice so far

[s/v Jedi]

When you plan to pay professionals to rebuilt it.... just forget it and run away from it!

All the not so negative remarks were for when you yourself were gonna do the job in the backyard!

cheers,
Nick.

[James S]

Originally Posted by offrd2001

Ive just come to realize a Jeep on land is as a sailboat in water..

Did you say Jeep!
Heres mine going over a "swell"
Not to get off thread but I dont think I can send pics in PM?

If haveing the interior and the other fitout done "professionaly" means youll be paying someone to do it, I agree that its a non starter!

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by offrd2001

the hull was professionally built

How do you know? How 'professionally'? By someone who couldn't get a job with a company building their own boats?

I know nothing about these boats or designs... but I know its a home built, back yard type boats. So what professional would want his name associated with them?

Get my drift?

I'm not having a go at you or the boat... But I don't think I have ever heard of a Bruce Roberts boat being anything but pro built... but you and I know most are not pro built!

Mark