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Allied Seawind 30

34K views 23 replies 11 participants last post by  SoulVoyage 
#1 ·
I'm in the process of buying an allied seawind 30. Heres my one big question. 10,000 dollars for a rock solid boat with junk running and standing rigging, junk sails and an engine that is iffy. seller keeps assuring me its good however. Even in the worst case scenario is this a fair price for a reputable boat? Love to hear from some owners! Thanks in advance
 
#2 ·
The rigging is shot and so are the sails and the engine is questionable... and he wants you to pay $10,000 for it... is he nuts??? Have you priced re-powering the boat, and replacing all the rigging and the sails and then added that to the $10,000... it is way over priced IMHO.

Walk away.
 
#6 ·
Allied's are great boats. Have it surveyed by a good surveyor and negotiate the price accordingly. Look at other Seawinds that are for sail for a reality check on the price. Decide if you really want to spend $10 to $20K upgrading the boat.

Also, you don't specify what you intend to do with the boat.

I used to own an Allied Chance. It was a great boat and much of it was solid but not all of it. The boat was on a lake so it didn't have to be as seaworthy as a boat on the ocean. I sailed it for a number of years even though it had some issues. When I sold it, the new owner wanted to spend lots of money on it, restore it, and move it to the ocean. I don't know if he did or not.
 
#7 ·
Thanks for all the feedback. Yep, guilty as charged with the survey. Wasn't sure if it was worth it on a 10,000- boat but now I have come around. pretty sure if allieds had any typical problems you would find them on this boat so I thought I might get an idea what I was in for. I'm no stranger to project boats however, just trying to get the price right. It seems to be the only way to afford one. I'm just so smitten with these boats. Planning on cruising florida/bahamas. Thanks again!
 
#8 ·
Before hiring a surveyor, I'd highly recommend reading the Boat INspection Trip Tips thread I started a while back. It will at least let you get an idea of whether any boat you're looking at is worth getting survey on.
 
#9 ·
Another good read is Don Casey's Inspecting the Aging Sailboat. You can buy that book or, better yet, just buy Don Casey's The Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual which contains six of his books in one big book.

Good luck
 
#11 · (Edited)
This is one of those questions that has no one right answer. By any rational analysis, this boat has a negative value, by which I mean, If you start with the absolute maximum that you could ever sell the boat for, and add up the all of the costs that would be required to bring the boat to a condition and level of equipage that would be necessary for it to sell at that price, you will end up having invested several times what the boat could ever sell for.

But the one thing about a boat like the Seawind (and I assume this is a mark 1 and not a mark II) is that these were simple boats and if kept simple represent a wholesome (albeit slow and cramped) design that would make a reasonable distance cruiser once restored to a structurally sound and reliable condition and as compared to other choices that are out there for $10,000, this represents a good model to start from if your goal really is to go offshore cruising in a small single-hander. In that regard, as long as you reined in the tendancy to try to bring this boat up to modern standards it would be a reasonable candidate for this kind of restoration effort.

So in the end, the key issue in making this decision is a clear understanding of your long term goals and your skills in putting a boat like this back together. If you goal is predominantly coastal cruising, or your goal is a comfortable live aboard, this is the wrong boat. But if you goal is to cross oceans and do so simply, then despite the cost, this may be the right boat for your needs.

In any case, at $10,000 a few thousand dollar difference in the price, one way or another should not be the deciding factor, given that you will probably spend $30-40,000 getting this boat into sound and reliable condition to go voyaging.

Respectfully,
Jeff
 
#12 ·
Just out of curiosity is there a link to an add for this Allied Seawind?
I ask because last spring I got to sail on one up here in NY going from Northport to NYC. The chap that bought her got her for just under $10k and he sailed her down to the FL Keys and subsequently put her up for sale. The boat was called "Babe" but the name was painted over on the transom.
I would be bowled over if you were looking at the same boat I was on.
If it is the same boat I will tell you a bit more about it having spent 1 night and 2 days on board.
Insightful reply by Jeff_H as always.
 
#13 · (Edited)
Allied Seawind

Cockerline123,
Having bought an older Allied Seawind 30 ketch over 10 years ago, you need to be aware of the ongoing maintenance costs. Fortunately, our boat had a newer Volvo Penta 28HP, which was one of the factors that prompted us to buy this boat. It was also owned to 20 years by dear friends.

We spend approximately $5K per year on routine maintenance, which has included things like:
0. Replaced standing rigging and lifelines
1. Stainless prop shaft/cutlass bearing
2. replace fixed ports in cabin house
3. Shaeffer Roller Furler
4. New Furling Genoa
5. new Main Sail & Mizzen
6. New VHF, GPS Chart Plotter, Compass
7. new Head
8. new cabin cushions
9. New battery charger & batteries
10. Sand Blast bottom and barrier coat
11. Lots of bottom paint at $200/gallon
12. replaced runnning rigging..
13. New Dodger
14. Ongoing refinishing/maintenance of brightwork.
The great thing about our Seawind is that it is one of the most seaworthy boats in our marina. Be realistic about how much work you can do yourself and your budget for professional services. I would encourage you to buy the best boat that you can afford (in order to spend more time sailing). You're welcome to come look at my boat as a benchmark.
Regards,
Seawind52
 
#15 ·
The great thing about our Seawind is that it is one of the most seaworthy boats in our marina. Be realistic about how much work you can do yourself and your budget for professional services. I would encourage you to buy the best boat that you can afford (in order to spend more time sailing). You're welcome to come look at my boat as a benchmark.


So yeah this is really helpful. This is what I'm looking at doing right now too although things are looking more and more tenative... I guess without asking you straight up what you bought her for (which would be great to know but I dont expect you to post that) what would you think a fair price for a seawind is in that condition... I know tough question, but just ballpark.
 
#17 ·
I'd point out that the newer engine, the RIB and sails alone would account for the $10000 difference in price more likely than not. Was the rigging in reasonable shape or was it shot?
We paid mid-$20K for our Seawind 30 over ten years ago. Our boat has a custom mahoghany interior and came with reasonable sails, newer Volvo penta 28hp, and High Performance Zodiak w/15hp Yamaha.
 
#18 ·
Hi Seawind52,

If you and your Seawind are ever near the Connecticut River, I'd welcome a chance to check out your boat. I own Patience, ASW1 #105 and we live in Old Saybrook, CT. I've tackled similar projects to you (except the replacing the standing rigging and sails).

Cockerline123 - I agree with Jeff H that the strong point of this boat is its simplicity and the best improvements are those that enhance the existing systems without adding a lot of complexity. Of course, I don't always listen to my own advice - I'd like to install a water wash down pump to replace the "canvas bucket" system for cleaning the anchor and rode. And a wifi system would be nice...

I recently built a website to catalog my boat projects and you can see pictures of Patience there:

The chronicle of my efforts to keep old plastic boats afloat (Bill's Classic Plastic Boats)
 
#20 ·
still looking at the Allied Seawind?

Are you still interested in the allied? Maybe I can help with a few comments. As Calebd mentioned, I sailed one down the east coast last year single handed with not a great deal of experience it must be said. CalebD was a very welcome passenger around NY harbour.

My impressions? I will echo Jeff H ´´s comments. She´´s Not really designed for coastal. A great safe boat for crossing an ocean, albeit a little slowly. Hull speed 6.7knts. Couldn´´t squeeze any more out of her. Additional speed would have saved me time at the helm (no autopilot) allowing me to reach port more quickly, more refreshed, less chance of an accident, and in daylight. On some days after steering for 12 - 14 hrs I was pretty knackered.

She´´s A little cramped below, but if single handing not so much a problem. Very sea kindly and forgiving.

Cost? Can´´t agree more about what´s already been said. Going for one in better condition between say 20K and 30K, with fewer details, is better than spending time and money on renovation, although any boat of this age is probably going to require a little TLC.

I dont regret my purchase for one moment. I was lucky. Mine was hardly used. Just 150 hrs on the engine! Even though a survey may cost around 5% of the purchase price, well worth it. Mine Highlighted the details on the boat and work that needed doing. Very useful and re assuring.

For the future I am now looking at something a little faster/ larger/ autopilot etc such as a benetau 423.
If you´´re around Florida, you are welcome to take a look at mine in Key Largo to get more familiar with them or you can ask me about any specific points.

cheers,
Ian (the "crazy" Brit).
 
#21 ·
Yeah still interested in the Seawinds but.... I think I have seen every one on the east coast at this point. I am trying to spend 20k or less which pretty much thins it down to just a few, most of which are in really bad shape. There just aren't that many out there. Found one which I tried to buy and the seller decided to keep it last minute. Back to square one! These really are a solid boat though. I have learned a lot about them. Let me know if you come across any good ones! In the mean time I will probably buy a pearson vanguard and dream of a ketch rig with that great little bowsprit.
 
#22 ·
Hi,

yes it's true, $20K kind of limits your choice, but look you´´re a sailnet guy, so maybe I can offer you something attractive. I am going to offer mine at 29,000. She needs a new shaft seal, but if you want to take care of that I can let her go for near the price you are thinking of paying. She is a good clean boat. I can send you a full description and fotos if you e mail me. She is in Key Largo.

cheers,
Ian
 
#24 ·
The amount of obvious confusion in this thread regarding Seawinds is surprising.

Number #1....If you can find a Seawind for $10,000 that is not an absolute basket-case...snap it up!!! Seawinds are worth far more than that.

I really had to laugh at the one commenter that suggested you'll never get your money and intimated that it would be an upside-down investment.
NEVER, EVER buy a boat as a financial investment. That is ludicrous. You don't buy and equip a boat for offshore use with an eye to what you'd get for it if you ever sell it any more than you'd raise a child with an eye to what his/her net material worth would be in 30 years. I find that type of thinking myopic and almost offensive.

When the surveyor (a very knowledgable, experienced blue-water boat specialist) looked over my 1963 Seawind ketch, he gave it a replacement value of $145,000. Granted that is not "market-value", but instead, the amount it would cost to build a boat of similar quality and workmanship today...he also stated that was a very conservative amount, noting the sales prices of inferior vessels such as Catalinas and Hunters.

Seawinds are extremely robustly made....I've tested out that robustness many times now. To compare it with what 30 foot clorox-bottles are going for is merely specious and shows a lack of consideration as to the build quality of the hull, deck and house.

Many boats built in the sixties were built with end-grain balsa deck core. As stuff like Air-X and keflex(sp), and other high-end closed-cell foam core didn't exist at that time, end-grain balsa was the best you could get back then. But anytime you have balsa-core, you have to properly re-bed all deck fittings religiously....do that, and balsa will last a LONG time. Don't do that and the balsa will soak.

Note that there is a difference in interior layout between a small 30 foot or less offshore boat and a 30 foot coastal cruiser...as looking at any Catalina 30 would show you - they are HUGE down below. But huge down below is NOT a good thing in 20 foot seas.

For reasons I cannot fathom, Allied Seawinds have always had ridiculously LOW used market prices. Far too low for their quality and type of UN-modified full-keel offshore hull with beautiful sailing characteristics.

I think they remain low beacuse people now expect sailboats to be more like Catalina, Hunter, Benetau floating Winnebagos, albeit fairly fast, with big wide interiors and swivel seats down below. Sad. Thomas Gillmer designed the Seawind as an offshore boat that would and could take you anywhere in the world. That is the Seawind's primary directive. Too compare them to a clorox-boat just because they share the same set of build-years is like I said...specious and shortsighted.

One thing....Seawinds were essentially a product of the sixties and seventies...and as such they have one drawback: Formica!!!!!! Get rid of that horrible Formica counter-top and table-top and you'll be good to go!
I replaced the Formica countertops on mine with cobalt blue tile and replaced the table formica with an antique world chart under about 20 coats of clear epoxy...and put in maple and ash veneer in the fore-cabin and chain-locker access hatch, and put copper sheeting for the galley surrounds. Interior looks really nice now...like the cabin on an old pilot schooner.

The point is Seawinds are worth FAR more than their market-value, as long as they are well maintained with forethought. I would put them in the same build-quality and ruggedness category as Cape George, or Ingrid or Bristol Channel Cutter (without the custom cabin-roof, though)...and so as far as current selling prices, they present an awfully good deal for one wanting a small ketch to comfortably cross oceans, and one that also sails the bay like a dream.
 
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