Is a Free Boat too expensive?

prospector · #1 (**permalink**) 07-25-2006

I found someone willing to give away a 1973 Olympic Dolphin 23 ft trailer sailer minus the trailer, engine and sails.

Now I've heard of folks caught in a tight spot trying to get out of a slip at a marina, and I've heard of families where the sailor is forced to part with their boat for health reasons, but this is in a local ad paper that they are advertising that the boat is free to a good home.

Is it just me, or is the price on this too high? Would it be worth checking out? I am a landlubber who has just barely joined the local yacht club.

Our plan was to buy something about 28 - 30 ft two or three years from now and sail the great lakes with the odd trip down the atlantic coast. Could a trailer sailor be another way to ease ourselves into cruising?

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 07-25-2006

A free boat can be too expensive. If the boat has any liens on it, even if you get it for free, you are responsible for any liens that are due on it. Also, if the boat ends up being too far gone to be worth restoring, you're liable for the costs of disposing of the boat. And if the boat was stolen, and you now own it, you could be found guilty of accepting stolen property...

Eleanna · #3 (**permalink**) 07-25-2006

There is a reason why they are giving it away. Not to sound negative but to many peolpe take a free vehicle and realize to late whats involved in getting it in shape to be utilized.

E.

Jeff_H · #4 (**permalink**) 07-25-2006

The S&S designed Yankee Dolphin 24 is one of my favorite boats of this size from that era. I believe that the Olympic Dolphins were built from the same design. If the boat has its rig, sails, and engine, it is at least worth a look. People give way boats all the time. There are a lot of reasons that people give away boats.

I'd at least take a look, you have nothing to lose.

Jeff

Dewey Benson · #5 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff_H

I'd at least take a look, you have nothing to lose.

Jeff

I agree with Jeff, nothing wrong with exploring the deal. Ask how it is titled, and research liens accordingly.

Is the Olympic Dolphin the same as the Pacific Dolphin? I know the Yankee
and the Pacific share the same lines. The Yankees were way overbuilt and the Pacific's were of reasonably strong construction. These were both lively little sailors. Real neat little yachts.

Dewey

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006

BTW, if you are interested, there was a very good article in Good Old Boat last year or so on the Dolphin sailboats as a whole.

While I agree that taking a look couldn't hurt, it would be wise to keep the caveats I posted above in mind before doing anything about the boat.

tommyt · #7 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006

He states clearly in his post that this is MINUS trailer, engine, and sails.
This would qualify as too expensive unless you are in the business and have everything available to you.

CBinRI · #8 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

A free boat can be too expensive. If the boat has any liens on it, even if you get it for free, you are responsible for any liens that are due on it. Also, if the boat ends up being too far gone to be worth restoring, you're liable for the costs of disposing of the boat. And if the boat was stolen, and you now own it, you could be found guilty of accepting stolen property...

These are all good reasons for not taking a free boat. But, IMHO the best reason of all for not taking one is that there is usually a good reason it is free. It usually requires beaucoup dineros even to get it in the water. It is very common for a new sailor to underestimate the cost of getting it ship-shape. In ninety percent of these cases you will probably save money by buying one in better shape where someone has either maintained the boat or has already done the work.

CBinRI · #9 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006

Also, sails are very expensive new and what you can find used may have been abandoned for good reason.

prospector · #10 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006

Thank-you all for your replies. I think I will let this one pass. I am hoping that within the yacht club we will hear of other worthwhile deals once we have a better feel for what we want and learn more of what is involved in restoring/maintaining a vessel.

For those who were wondering more about the Olympic Dolphin, this is the only info I could find on them online...

http://dandelionfield.net/dolph2.html