Columbia 27, inside gutted, outside good... Thoughts?

panamade · #1 (**permalink**) 02-05-2009

Hi everybody.

So tomorrow I'm going to look at a 27ft Columbia. I don't know the year yet but the story is this guy started to work on this thing as a project but gave up because he didn't have the time. Apparently the sails ropes and winches are in good shape... here, just read the post:

"It's a Columbia 8.3 model number 279, built in 1979. Length: 27"2'. Water line length 21.3"
beam is 9"4'. Draft is 4"4'. Max headroom is 6"1'. Vertical clearance is 38"6'. It is a fixed keel

Right now she's tied up in [removed to protect sale], but this project boat will provide a great deal of satisfaction for the right person. It's a 27 foot Columbia with no engine. Sails, ropes, wenches in great shape but inside is gutted. Husband started project, but it became too much to handle and work a full time job."

And the guy is asking for $1000 for it. I was hoping I could get your input people since this is my first boat. I'd like to spend about this much on a boat and I intend to live aboard by myself.

Thanks very much everyone, as I'm sure you get way too many posts like this already. Once I get sailing I'll return the favor...

BlueWaterMD · #2 (**permalink**) 02-05-2009

"but this project boat will provide a great deal of satisfaction for the right person" Emphasis here is the RIGHT person.

Are you interested because you like restoring boats or because it is cheap? Also gutted can mean many things. Is the boat just missing cushions and the stove, or is it stripped down to the bulkheads. Many project boats end up costing the buyer much more than they are worth, much more than just buying a ready to sail boat in the first place. However if you are really handy, and enjoy fixing up boats, it could be a good find. You really need to see the boat first, and make sure it is structurally sound.

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 02-05-2009

$1000 may be too much, given the boat has no engine, and is gutted on the inside. A Columbia 8.3 in good condition would probably go for $8000 as a rough guess, and that would be with an engine and an intact interior.

It all depends on how badly gutted the interior is, how much work is needed to restore it, and whether you can do the work yourself.

I would highly recommend that you read the Boat Inspection Trip Tips thread I started, before going to see this boat.

blt2ski · #4 (**permalink**) 02-05-2009

Sounds like the boat I bought to a point. Altho my interior was falling down in some area's, overall in good shape.

The interior took about 60-80 hrs of "MY" time to redo, including varnish, re doing the floor with Ultimate Sole, new vinyl etc see here along with the link on that page to the head redo. That was around $2-3G for materials etc.

We have also since replaced the cushions to the tune of $12G or there abouts, that is covers, foam, someone doing etc!

I've replace interior lights, along with adding a couple, $30'sh per fixture, with two close to $100 IIRC.

A motor will run 4-8K for just the motor, and figure $20K if you have it installed.

While I am NOT trying to say you should not do what you have in mind, I have given you some of the costs involved with my 85 30' Jeanneau.

Good luck with endeavor if you should take this on.

marty

AjariBonten · #5 (**permalink**) 02-05-2009

If it were just the interior, that would be one thing; but with no engine..... hmmm that's a seahorse of a whole different color.

Not to discount it totally; but a lot more to think about

sailingfool · #6 (**permalink**) 02-05-2009

For the cost of buying an just an engine, you could buy a similar size boat with a working engine AND an in-place interior, and go sailing tomorrow.

Paying anything for this boat would be absolutely dumb, at the least the seller should give you the $1000 to take it off his hands. If gutted means an in-place interior but lacking cushions and gear...then I think blt2ski has given you an idea of what to expect to spend to get an operating boat - around $20K...most of which you would never get back when you sell the boat. If the inside is also empty of furniture...then add a few hundred hours of your time if have have good craftsman skills...otherwise start the money clock all over.

This hulk has negative value, but fortunately probably has no insurance...

JohnRPollard · #7 (**permalink**) 02-05-2009

Any photos of the interior available?

New engine will cost you dearly. Even a good used diesel will not come cheap.

merc2dogs · #8 (**permalink**) 02-05-2009

One advantage of buying a stripped out boat is that you can easily arrange it to fit your needs without having to first strip it.

I've never found a boat that was set up the way I like from the factory, and I enjoy working on them. So I look for projects, preferably ones that someone has already done the nasty work and stripped the interior. Stripping out the old stuff can be a real nasty job!

If the boat is otherwise in good shape and ready to sail, AND you're comfortable working on it, (preferably enjoy doing it) I'd say it's a great deal.

The others do have it right though, it is not hard to put as much money as a good example of a factory boat would cost
The advantage is, that the things most people want to change around are the same things that raise the price of the boat so if you want to change it,it's money out the door. When you're done, you have a boat that's as comfortable as an old pair of boots.

Ken.

blt2ski · #9 (**permalink**) 02-05-2009

As I'm rereading my post, I did NOT have to replace a motor, but the numbers are what have been quoted on here, along with two locals that have had to put in a new diesel motor, gas would probably be a bit less etc.

I was able to sail my boat initially, use it etc. Cushions if done your self, 35 yds of material IIRC, ranges from $15-100 yd ours was $30'ish, foam $1000-1500. We did upgrade the front Vee berth an inch in thickness, along with firmer foam. My salon seats are contoured, with pipeing, which added $500?!?!? The cusions were done high end, we probably could have been in the 8-10 range. Interior is wifes thing, so away we went.

True, we will probably NOT get out of it what we have put in, other than smiles, and when we went to an owners roundezvous a few yrs back, if there would have be an award for best older boat, we woul have won! A lot of nice comments.

ALong the way, new sails, probably now close to $15K for a main, three jibs, 1 AS and hopefully in a yr a symetric along with redoing most of the deck harware. While a lot of the stuff will be working, if you end up racing as I do, you will want free're working sheaves, line control carrs if you do not have them etc.

marty

panamade · #10 (**permalink**) 02-05-2009

OK, I'm sure you guys get a lot of dreamers on this site, and I intend to quit being one right now. I've been going about it backward, looking for a project deal randomass boat when I don't really have the means or the know-how to pull one off. Now, that's not to say I won't be sailing here very shortly- I will be, but I've got a new strategy that's finally realistic.

What I'm hearing from everybody I talk to is that I need to get into something that's about ready to sail. It's really gonna be cheaper in the long run. I also need to be looking for a specific boat I love and not just something I can just live with. Today I walked the docks in Jax FL and came across another instance of the boat I want, the only boat I want.

It's an O'Day 272. Just right, so sharp, shallow draft, huge inside, and it's fast.

So that's all I'm looking for, till I find one. And instead of trying to get something for $1000 or less, I'm going to put together something like $4000. I think that's possible.

So wish me luck, and thanks again for all your input. I'm on it now.