What do we do with a boat that won't float?

[Phoenixsea]

We have a sad story about a boat that won't float - at least not any longer. We would like to hear from folks about what to do with it. It is a Gulfstar 50 ketch and is in a boat yard in South Carolina. I am sure the yard would like to see if go away as soon as possible. Should we sell the parts individually? Then what do we do with the hull? Are there salvage companies? Does anyone have any ideas?

[jkindredpdx]

I see old boats all over OR and WA... sitting in cow pastures with blackberry vines creeping over them. In a couple years they are gone from sight

[Fiveslide]

Why will it not float?

[Phoenixsea]

I guess we should have added another detail. We would like to recover some financial value from the boat. There is a lot of equipment with value. We are in Portland OR right now so there is cost in anything we do involving going to SC.

[Phoenixsea]

Fiveslides - It is a long story, but the short version is that the FRG around the keel/hull connection is rotten. It all needs to be replaced. None of three surveyors ever detected the problem. There was other damage to the boat this summer, which were prepared to fix, but now the cost is too high.

[skipmac]

Same question here. Why won't the boat float? Is the hull damaged? Damaged beyond repair? If not certainly a Gulfstar 50 hull has some value.

If the hull is trashed then masts, winches, windlass, sails and gear on board. Lead keel? What about the engine? If running and not too many hours then something more there.

[Samantha ann]

I'm in Charleston SC where is the boat maybe I can help

[Phoenixsea]

Samantha ann - The boat is on Johns Island at Ross Marine. We are sure that there is value to the equipment but are wondering is anyone has ideas about how to realize that value.

[boatpoker]

[QUOTE=Phoenixsea;1365941]Fiveslides - It is a long story, but the short version is that the FRG around the keel/hull connection is rotten.QUOTE]

Curious, what you mean by "rotten" since fiberglass does not rot.

[Samantha ann]

Agreed that FG doesn't rot but an delaminate. Is that the case? As stated before you could strip
The boat engine hardware etc, then sell the lead. You will more than likely have to pay to dispose of what's left!

[rw58ph]

Originally Posted by Phoenixsea

Fiveslides - It is a long story, but the short version is that the FRG around the keel/hull connection is rotten. It all needs to be replaced. None of three surveyors ever detected the problem. There was other damage to the boat this summer, which were prepared to fix, but now the cost is too high.

If the keel is glassed to the hull I would drill drain holes in the keel to drain holes and re glass keel to the hull. I have see yards fix damaged keels that have been almost knocked off.

[Phoenixsea]

Yes, I am using the word "rotten" loosely - it delaminated. An FG specialist suggested against the yard doing the repair unless a naval architect put a stamp of the repair design. It is a serious matter and an expensive repair - too expensive. What we are looking for is suggestions on how to sell the functional parts of the boat. I have talked to a consignment store or two - FL and NC. They are happy to look over our stuff if we can get it to them. But it is quite a journey to get to the boat, followed by a lot of work to get the equipment onto a trailer and to a shop, with no guarantee of a return. Then there are the masts which are not easily moved (60 ft main). Does anyone have specific suggestions on how to deal with this valuable equipment and the remaining hulk, given that we live on the west coast?

[Phoenixsea]

The yard said that they need to remove cabin sole, cabinetry, fuel and water tanks to get to the inside area that needs to be repaired. As I said, an FG specialist suggested that no one touch it without a naval architect's stamp on a design.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Phoenixsea

Yes, I am using the word "rotten" loosely - it delaminated. An FG specialist suggested against the yard doing the repair unless a naval architect put a stamp of the repair design. It is a serious matter and an expensive repair - too expensive. What we are looking for is suggestions on how to sell the functional parts of the boat. I have talked to a consignment store or two - FL and NC. They are happy to look over our stuff if we can get it to them. But it is quite a journey to get to the boat, followed by a lot of work to get the equipment onto a trailer and to a shop, with no guarantee of a return. Then there are the masts which are not easily moved (60 ft main). Does anyone have specific suggestions on how to deal with this valuable equipment and the remaining hulk, given that we live on the west coast?

If you have to pay a boat yard to strip the saleable stuff from the boat and the ship it to a consignment shop where you will be lucky to sell it for 25-50% of new value AND dispose of the leftover hulk you may be looking at a net loss.

Better I think to sell the whole thing to someone that will salvage the parts themselves or as a DIY project boat for someone with more time than money.

From what I can guess from your descriptions I think you'll be looking at cents on the dollar. Without seeing the boat and the damage it might net you $5,000 or $20-$40,000. One way to narrow down the estimates. Has the boat ever been sunk or even partially filled with water? Does the engine run? What condition and hours? How's the interior look?

[Phoenixsea]

Part of the rest of the story is that storms in May and June filled the boat with water to just below the cabin sole. Then the topsides blistered under shrink wrap. We were looking at significant rewiring and a paint job in addition to major fiberglass work. I am all for DYI but this was getting far beyond our skills. The rest of the story, before we owned the boat and unknown to us when we bought it, involves a hurricane and a more recent hard grounding.