I bought a yacht on eBay

[El Pinguino]

That boat will be like an albatross around your neck..... don't walk away... run!

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Sav

Thanks for all the free advice guys... its much appreciated.

Now that you have had an opportunity to think about it, how about walking away from this one and finding another more local? It would certainly be easier to manage even if it did need some work.

Pete

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Me I will be quite happy to tinker about with an old yacht if I reach that age.

Pete

Soon Pete....soon...

[justwaiting]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Now that you have had an opportunity to think about it, how about walking away from this one and finding another more local? It would certainly be easier to manage even if it did need some work.

Pete

Yep - the boat that he bought was been sailed locally and set up as such.

The same model of boat is advertised in Queensland with a 15 hp Yanmar motor that had a lot of work done on it last year, electrical and electronics that would met needs and better ground tackle. Twice the price but a lot closer to home. I am not recommending the boat but it would make more sense to me.

32 ft sailing boat | Sail Boats | Gumtree Australia Brisbane South West - Macgregor | 1132281996

[malbert73]

Many boats for free would be a worse deal than the same model costing 10000+. I don't know the market in aus but the used old boat market is so soft you would be better off finding a local well maintained model and spend a fraction of your future refit dollars on the purchase of a boat that is years ahead in terms of work.


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[mtyler]

Motor: Change oil, turn over a lot, to splash oil all around the insides, before letting it start.

[mtyler]

What was the ketch?

[sbsboats]

the distance thing is a biggie.....are you a handy guy? if you are....what the hell. ....have fun with it....it may not be the boat for you. ...but you will find out I guess....you can always put her back up for sale if it is a nightmare
.....I bought an old boat recently. ...good bones but....lots of work to do.....every day I can I work on her a bit....the list of repairs is gradually getting smaller. ....I know if I sell her I will never get compensated for all the hours I am putting into her....but...I am having fun

go see the boat ...or get a mate in the area to look her over
...I dunno get a slip....make her into your own floating den of iniquity. ...but have fun....life is short

[GrowleyMonster]

Originally Posted by mtyler

What was the ketch?

Puns like that just fill me with anchor.

[gtpinhei]

Congratulations! Seems like a fun boat to sail in Sidney! If the block is good it should be cheap to repair the Volvo. Those small engines are easy to work on.

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[Sav]

Originally Posted by mtyler

What was the ketch?

Bloody Kiwi!

[SV Bacchus]

Originally Posted by Sav

Bloody Kiwi!

But it was funny!

[gamayun]

This is going to be a fun thread. Can't wait to hear more Good luck, Sav !!

[snort]

There's got to be someone in Sydney who can have a look at the boat for him. That would clarify things quite a bit. Best of luck!

[Sav]

I have contacted a fellow backpacker in Sydney who is going to check out the motor, fix it and service the winches.
Assuming the rigging and hull are ok (the broker assured me it is fine), I'll buy new gear needed, spares etc, and make the trip up the coast to FNQ around the top, and across to Darwin, beginning about May and arriving September.
It's a fair hike, so it will likely take around 3 months or more... long haul Sydney to the beginning of the Reef, then day trips of about 50 to 60 miles to the top of the Reef, and then the long haul heading west after going through Torres Strait.