Hinterhoeller Niagara 30

[shapka]

Going to look at a 1969 Niagara 30. It is supposed to be the big brother to the Shark.
Anyone have any info? Seller says that it has solid decks and hull. True?
Won't be able to sail it first, and it needs some minor rudder repairs, but it is very cheap and it sounds like it could be usable in very short order.
Not really what I want long term, but thinking it might be a fun toy to use for now.
Thanks in advance.

[Sailormann]

They were made by the man who designed and built the Shark - George Hinterhoeller.

some minor rudder repairs,

this would worry me.

The boats themselves are well-respected and I find it difficult to believe that one in fair to good condition would be available cheaply. They are fairly desirable craft so if someone is letting one go for next to nothing - that is probably its worth... guaranteed it is going to cost money to refurbish, so think long and hard about whether you want to be pouring lots of money into a very needy 30 footer or if you want to buy something smaller and newer and spend more time sailing.

Hinterhoeller Yachts Ltd. Yacht Builder

[shapka]

Apparently, the PO put two anodes on the aluminum rudder, and there is (not clear on this yet) a hole or just some corrosion that has been previously faired by the CO. This repair has come off, and he said it lasted 10 years (the repair).
Rudder is out of the boat.
Original rigging. Bunch of sails I have not seen supposedly "good condition", some dry rot inside.
Needs paint apparently, but is on the beach. Thinking of picking it up with my brothers and father, putting in some work to paint the hull quickly, and then sail and repair, sail and repair.
But I won't see it until Saturday.
I am cool with epoxy work, but not sure how to assess the condition of a very old hull and deck.

[Sailormann]

Apparently, the PO put two anodes on the aluminum rudder, and there is (not clear on this yet) a hole or just some corrosion that has been previously faired by the CO. This repair has come off, and he said it lasted 10 years (the repair).

Aluminum rudder...Buying aluminum to remake/replace this will run about $400.00. Then there's labour. Let's figure a minimum of $750.00

Rudder is out of the boat.

Original rigging.

Guranteed pooched by now - 40 years old. Figure a minimum of $2,000.00 to buy the absolutely necessary pieces.

Bunch of sails I have not seen supposedly "good condition",

In good condition they could last another 15 years. If you need to replace them figure a minimum of $5,000.00 for a main and a genoa.

some dry rot inside.

If this is in the main bulkhead you are looking at about 3 to 4 thousand to fix it yourself - materials will not be that expensive but taking the boat out of the water, removing hardware, bracing the hull, painting, and launching again costs money. Probably about 6 to 7 if it's a yard bill.

Needs paint apparently, but is on the beach.

WHat do you mean on the beach ??? Lying on the beach ??? At this point they should be paying you to take it away.

Thinking of picking it up with my brothers and father, putting in some work to paint the hull quickly,

It will not be quick. You are talking about a refit that will cost many thousands of dollars and take months - that's just to get it to the point where it is safe to sail.

and then sail and repair, sail and repair.

that is what we all do, and that is when we have started with boats in good shape

But I won't see it until Saturday. I am cool with epoxy work, but not sure how to assess the condition of a very old hull and deck.

Cough up the money for a surveyor if you are not able to find a knowledgeable local. I bet you will be surprised to find out how much it can cost to get a boat back into decent shape.

Far, far better off to buy something that has a rudder, no rot, and rigging that is not 40 years old.

Good Luck !

[shapka]

So, using your numbers, if the total was 7K (I am assuming that the sails and bulkhead would be ok, would that be an outrageous price for this boat?
When I say on the beach, I mean in a marina's repair space.
I think you are right on the survey, but a survey would be more than the boat's purchase price. I will look for a knowlegable local.

[shapka]

oh, yeah, since I own a crane, I did not include launching costs, other than the initial launch from where it is now.

[patrickrea]

The survey should cost from $350 to $500 max. If the boat is going to cost less than that, RUN AWAY!!!

But seriously, old rigging may not be to bad if you are going to daysail for a year IF it isn't too far gone. Same for sails. You can always buy new used sails.

You own a crane? If you also own a space that you can keep her over the winter for repair, then you are miles ahead in terms of cash outlay. Does your crane have access to water deep enough to launch or haul? The marinas won't let your crane onto their property.

[shapka]

Actually, my crane has been in and out of a few marinas for random customers.
Usually, people don't mind staying on my good side, and I imagine that finding a place to launch the boat will not be a problem.
I have a place to store the boat in winter, but I do not have a trailer to transport it, and would not be investing in one. Perhaps they are rentable.
Thanks for the survey heads up: I thought they were four times as expensive.
At the moment, I am wondering why the owner has it in the repair portion of the marina ($25 per day) and not long term storage. The bulkhead issue worries me: perhaps he started some repairs, then paced it in due to some discovery.
He wants 3K for the boat with a 91 9.9 outboard that apparently runs well.
I think I will make the drive and take a look at the very least.

[sailingdog]

I'd recommend you read the Boat Inspection Trip Tips thread I started, as it will help you determine whether this boat even worth going forward on.

[Northeaster]

Make sure about the hull and decks, solid or cored (and not wet). I may be wrong, but I thought I had heard stories about a Niagara 31, about the same age with wet decks. May not be accurate, but if decks (or hull) were cored, and more than a little wet, I would walk away quickly. Fixing a couple of soft spots would be bad enough. Redecking the entire boat would be unwise. Better to find a baot in good, well maintained shape to begin with.

Pay now or pay later. Do a search for the thread " your rebuild costs"