Looking for sailboat...gratis

[NorthRaven]

Yes this is my first post to this forum, it is the reason I actually signed up. I will be using the forum for other things in the future but for now I need a boat....Actually my wife desperately wants a live-aboard sailboat.
We currently have an Oday 22 moored in Stockton Springs Harbor in Maine which is a splendid boat and arrangement. It is however very small and we both have a timeframe that if we cannot sell our house and have an international job in two years we are going to say the hell with it all and take off.
This brings me to our question....we want at least a 30 foot sailboat to get ready for the big departure. The other big thing is we would like to get one for free Yeah yeah, first time poster comes on and wants to get a boat for free....seriously though we would. We are not looking for anything fancy, just seaworthy...or close to seaworthy. Did your boat wash up and get flooded in the last hurricane, or did you end up with one in your backyard? That's probably the one I want. If you have anything, please let me know

My only requirement is that it not be wood, and it not be rotten fiberglass in the hull.

[jbarros]

There are a number of threads about the value of free boats people have gotten or found around here, and the comparative cost of bringing them up to snuff compared to the cost of just buying a 20-30 year old vessle that's pretty much ready to go.

In short, if you're getting something for free, it's a project, not a boat.
If you want to sail, get a boat, not a project.

If you like projects, that's cool, but don't expect to sail it any time soon.

Sorry.

-- James

[Encre2Chine]

Besides, 30ft is too small for "the big departure". You need a lot of storage space, and not only for water, food, diesel, gas and energy gagdets. Any idea what volume a bag with a Code 0 and another bag with a Spinnaker takes ?..a lot ! I also found out that the "privacy corner" is a must have, no matter how harmonious your couple is..this corner will in fact keep it harmonious Well, not much room left for this in a 30ft...unless you hide behind the code 0 bag Also, as a former rescue diver, I am getting close to be a redundancy and safety freak. No matter how well the boat is equipped, 30ft is light in 35kt wind !
This being said, after what I thought to be one of the life time adventure sailing solo from Hong Kong to the Phillippines, I moored close to a 28ft boat...2 croatians who just crossed the Pacific ! But again, they were 60 years old + and 40 years sailing behind them

[davidpm]

James we also don't know where you are. Would you like free shipping with the free boat too

[NorthRaven]

I filled out the CP today so you guys and girls can know who I am and where I currently sail. Let see, My first boat was a Macgregor 26...it was a POS that I almost abandoned on Martha's Vineyard. After that boat we took a sabbatical from sailing for a while and eventually, with the knowledge in mind of what we did not want, got an Oday 22....100x better even though it was smaller. The boat is a blast to sail and we spend quite a bit of time on it....well as we want to sail off in two years, the 22 is too small for all the above reasons. I know we will end up with a project, currently we know of a C&C 28-30 or so in someones yard with trees all grown up around it, covered in tree sap that has been sitting for the last 14 years. We would love that one, but the owners probably want some bucks for it...who knows. I figured that perhaps someone would have something sitting on the mooring or slip already down south that they would want to part with. Like people have said, the closer I can get to a actual boat, and not a project the better. I can paint, wire, rebuild engines, I know how to fiberglass, plumb, and do most of anything required on a boat...it is just getting one that is the issue.

[mitiempo]

Would 27' be ok? I know of an almost free Vega. Hasn't been used for a few years so probably needs a good scrubbing.

[NorthRaven]

Sure, that may work, send me a PM..I would have PMed you but need 5 posts....hmmmm perhaps I should babble more

[mitiempo]

Here's the link to the Vega. 1969 Albin Vega Sloop For Sale

[greatlakes]

Great Lakes Small Boat Sailing Museum has started a new museum called the National One Design Sailboat Museum. We are seeking donations of "project" sailboats, preferably one design and unique sailboats under 30 feet in length, but any project sailboat will be considered. Please call me on my cell phone at 325-203-2525 or reply to this post. Thank you in advance! Sincerely, Dr. Jim McCluskey, Curator.

[NorthRaven]

WOW!! Mr Jim McClusky. Perhaps you should start your own post...I guess all then years educatin you never learnt abot interweb etticut......tok aboot a tred hyjack.

I always said, education is nothing without real world experience....both good and bad. Worst investment ever...my college education!!!

Originally Posted by greatlakes

Great Lakes Small Boat Sailing Museum has started a new museum called the National One Design Sailboat Museum. We are seeking donations of "project" sailboats, preferably one design and unique sailboats under 30 feet in length, but any project sailboat will be considered. Please call me on my cell phone at 325-203-2525 or reply to this post. Thank you in advance! Sincerely, Dr. Jim McCluskey, Curator.