Buying a hurricane-damaged boat?

sibley · #1 (**permalink**) 02-24-2008

My wife and I are considering buying a CS40 sailboat that had significant damage from Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The boat was repaired at a good yard at cost of $45K. Are we totally crazy for considering a boat that was stressed so much?

The storm broke the boat from its mooring and drove it ashore. The major damage included:

trailing edge of one of the winglets of the wing keel was knocked off.
several hull gouges, but it was not holed and took on no watter
toerails, stantions and both bow and stern pulpits damages and replaced
a portion of the rod rigging was damaged and replaced.

The boat looks fine now, but I am still concerned about the past damage. Any comments?

citation34 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-24-2008

Three words. Survey, survey and survey.

TrueBlue · #3 (**permalink**) 02-24-2008

Never believe them when they say it didn't take on any water, until the best surveyor you can afford confirms the statement . . . worse thing to happen to a boat, especially in salt water.

Oh, and welcome aboard sibley.

hellosailor · #4 (**permalink**) 02-24-2008

Even if no water got in, a severe thrashing can still wind up transmitting shock loads all over a boat. Bulkhead tabbing may shift, engine mounts may move, someone really needs to crawl through the boat from bow to stern and examine everything for collateral damage.

That would be the best surveyor you can find, and you want to be present for the survey so he can tell you what he's seeing and not seeing, and you can make sure he really does look into everything.

The reputation of the yard that did the repairs, and the insurance damage survey that was done as the basis for the repairs, are also things to look at.

Most surveyors only do a general/hull survey, you might also want a rigger to check the mast and rigging, and a diesel mechanic to check over the engine (or set aside escrow to cover those surveys and problems, if any, after the sale.)

camaraderie · #5 (**permalink**) 02-24-2008

No you are not crazy but heed everyone's advice and make sure the engine is surveyed separately and run hard on sea trial if there was a chance of water ingress. Has the boat been sitting since 2005 or actively used?

teshannon · #6 (**permalink**) 02-24-2008

When there are so many good boats on the market why take the chance.

billyruffn · #7 (**permalink**) 02-24-2008

Where was the boat when the storm struck? Where was the repair work done? If it's in the US, you might be able to check on the reputation of the yard / tradesmen involved and ask them about the repairs they did.

sailingdog · #8 (**permalink**) 02-24-2008

Personally, unless you're getting an amazing price... I'd pass on a storm salvaged boat. Often, they're far more damaged than the seller claims. There's always a good chance that even if they tried to repair the boat in good faith, that they missed something important, and that can't be detected in the normal course of things, and you'll find it the hard way.

If you do decide to go ahead and possibly buy this boat, get a very, very good surveyor, and do separate rigging and engine surveys.

SailorMitch · #9 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008

I have some friends who bought an IP-38 that was damaged in Katrina. It supposedly had cosmetic damage only. Anyway, the boat has been totally redone and they are very pleased with it.

brak · #10 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008

Survey, as everyone mentioned - is key. But also - everything is good for an appropriate price. I am sure for $9.99 anyone here would take this boat. For a million $$$ - perhaps not. Somwhere in between there is an appropriate price for which this boat is a good deal, if it fits your needs. Just don't fall in love with her or anything