Help--Flirting with Disaster

[geary126]

So there's a 30' Lancer that I'm looking at with some friends. The price is good, arguably too good. 4k. I haven't seen it yet, but there's a survey that says the boat is worth 8 to 10. It's about a year old, and the year off hasn't been kind.

Now, we're going to see the survey today, but here's the larger question: am I nuts, or is this hard to pass up?

Assume the Yanmar checks out (we're getting a mechanic to verify)

Assume no major discoveries. (beyond below)

Here's what's wrong. One stay is broken. The traveller needs work. Leak on the deck, above head. Seals on two hatches need work.

Outhaul on main needs replacing. There's a so so main on a short boom, and a new-ish main which requires a new, longer boom.

Below decks, is, however, a cosmetic disaster. Mildew smell. Wood looks like hell. Cushions shot. Headliner coming off roof. Wires dangling.

Hasn't been hauled in 4 years. Survey did not include that. Roughly, what is probability of blisters? 10%? 80%?

If we were spending real money for boat, I would insist on haul plus new survey...but I'm almost inclined to just save the 650$ for repairs.

Which I guess would total about 3k.

Our goal isn't to end up with a new Hunter out of this thing. Our goal is to have a C+ looking boat, inside and out, handling the Safety + Functional things here and now, defering most Cosmetics until winter.

Those of you with more experiece, please weight in.

Much thanks,

Tom

[sailingdog]

A lot can happen in a year. I'd get a new survey... the deck could have delaminated in a year's time, if the wet deck above the head was left untreated.

Mildew and mold smells are also a bad indicator of water/moisture problems.

Here's what I see you needing to do from what you've posted so far.

You need to replace all of the standing rigging—replacing just the missing stay is probably a bad idea, as it is probably broken due to age, and the others are probably not far from it in condition.

You need to possibly re-core the deck in the area above the head.

You need a new boom, and possibly new running rigging—but won't really know without a current survey.

You need to re-do most of the interior, replace the cushions and take care of the wiring.

Both hatches leak, and may even need to be replaced.

Hmmm... how much were you planning on spending to refurbish this boat. The standing rigging alone is probably more than you're planning on spending. Also, have you examined the mast for any problems—like galvanic corrosion.

How old is the boat? If it hasn't been hauled in 4 years, it probably has some serious growth on the hull, as well as blisters and possibly osmosis of the hull. Barnacles and other marine growth can seriously damage the hull laminate.

[Irwin32]

Get a new survey.

[Irwin32]

Get a new survey and pull the boat. You could be paying 4k for a boat that is worth nothing.

[LyleRussell]

$4k for a 30'er. That alone should ring some bells.