Fixer Upper?

[Analae]

I am looking for a sail boat to be a fixer upper. Would it be better to get something "free" and fix it or pay 2 grand or higher and still have to fix it up?
I am in love with Hunters and Seasprites but a Catalina is nice as well. I love the older boats not the newer ones so would love something from the 60s or a little older.
I have a 1968 Glasstron but want a sail boat. The Glasstron is just a small boat that has been converted to shrimping.
What would be a good first move?

[BubbleheadMd]

Pay a little. A "free" boat is usually a "disaster" not a "project". I paid $1800 for a 25' project boat that I fixed up this winter and will be sailing this spring.

I read your original post. I know you want a project, but you DO intend to actually get out and sail some day right?

[Analae]

Yes, I do. I'm trying to join the Sailing Team in college to get a better feel for it. I want to sail. A cruiser was nice but I want something different. (Cruiser was a 35' onboard engine boat that is now dead).
But yes, I do Truly Intend and plan on getting on the water. The Charleston Coast is just so beautiful and would be a nice hobby and experience, though if I had the money I would do trans Atlantic.

[sailingdog]

Generally, you can find a boat in sailable shape for far less than it would cost you to buy the exact same boat in "fixer-up" shape and repair it. As a bonus, you get to actually sail it right away instead of having to repair it for a while first.

However, given your age and lack of experience—you're in college and probably in your late teens/early twenties—I would recommend joining a sailing club to start with. Most students don't have the time, the money or the space to own a boat, even a small one. Joining a sailing club will allow you to sail on a wider variety of boats and get to know what you like and dislike about them before you actually buy one and make your buying a more informed process.

[Analae]

I'm in my late 20s. I don't have children yet and am a history major in college studying mythology. I want a small ship no more than 30' and my husband likes the day sailers but they just don't appeal to me. I've seen some going from $300 to a few thousand. What would be a good starting point?
I'm not to worried about interior, but don't want to have to redo much of the deck, masts, or fiberglass.

[sailingdog]

Hmm... I'd look for something that is small enough to trailer. That would cut down on the storage costs and make working on it a lot simpler, since you can often do a lot of work on the boat while it is sitting on the trailer...I know I do... As long as the hull, deck and rigging are sound, it sounds like you're game. I'd add that the centerboard or swing keel, since many boats in this size range will have one, should also be sound.

A West Wight Potter 19 or Montgomery 17 might be good choices to look at. The Hen series of pocket cruisers might also be a good starting place. S2, Catalina, Hunter, and Beneteau all make <28' trailerables that might work well.

Personally, I would recommend you keep the boat in a marina, on a mooring, as that makes going out for a short afternoon or evening sail much easier than if you have to launch, rig, de-rig and haul the boat each time. If not in the water, keeping it a marina and having it pre-rigged on the trailer ready to launch would be the next best alternative.

I'd recommend you read the Boat Inspection Trip Tips thread I started, as it will help you determine whether any boats you look at are even worth going forward on. Start looking on Craigslist and walking through marina yards...you may be surprised at what you find.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Analae]

Thank you sailingdog. My next question is I have heard that there are some boats at the harbors and marinas that have been abandoned and are wanting gotten rid of. How would you approach someone (harbor master) and ask about something like that? What would you ask or look for?
Thank you for your help thus far.

[blackjenner]

Originally Posted by Analae

I'm in my late 20s. I don't have children yet and am a history major in college studying mythology. I want a small ship no more than 30' and my husband likes the day sailers but they just don't appeal to me. I've seen some going from $300 to a few thousand. What would be a good starting point?
I'm not to worried about interior, but don't want to have to redo much of the deck, masts, or fiberglass.

Look around for something like an old San Juan 21. They are good little boats. They are all glass (except for the cored upper deck). They are easy to work on and cheap to maintain.

I turned a piece of junk into a little single hand cruiser (it's actually designed a class racing boat) in a summer with a lot of elbow grease and a few hundred dollars.

I was lucky though. The upper deck was not trashed, the sails were good, and the outboard ran.

Good luck in your search.

There is one for $200 on this page.

[sailingdog]

The ones that are in a harbor are often too trashed to be worth rescuing unless it is a particularly nice boat. The ones that have been abandoned in a marina are generally easier to get ownership of. The marina can often get a title to the boat if the owner hasn't paid their storage fees. These boats can range in shape from good to really abysmal, which is why I said you need to walk the yards. Making friends with the workers and owners of the marinas and boatyards can often get you an inside track on a boat that is going to be available before other people know about it.

I'd point out that if you're going to own a boat, learning fiberglass repair skills is a good idea, if not a necessity. Two of my friends bought a storm-damaged boat that had very little wrong with it except for a hole in the hull. The hole wasn't too large and there wasn't much water damage inside because of the way the boat was holed... and they've since restored the boat and are currently off in the Caribbean on it.

Originally Posted by Analae

Thank you sailingdog. My next question is I have heard that there are some boats at the harbors and marinas that have been abandoned and are wanting gotten rid of. How would you approach someone (harbor master) and ask about something like that? What would you ask or look for?
Thank you for your help thus far.

[Artz]

Check with a local Marina and ask how they are required by law on how they can dispose a boat whose owner is behind in slip fees. Some states might require that the boat has to be auctioned off. I think California requires a public auction others states may not.
Some dock masters may just tell you get it out of here and it is your boat. They are just sick of looking at it and want someone that will pay slip fees in the spot. Many years ago a good friend was given a rather nice 24 foot day sailor if he would just get the boat out of the marina. The dock Master would not allow Ken to rent a slip, he just wanted it gone!