Cost for new interior

Polypterus · #1 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009

You guys were so helpful on my first question I thought I would try another

Among the boats I'm considering for purchase is a 33 foot aluminum hulled vessel. The broker claims the hull and rigging are in good shape (I will have it surveyed though) however the interior looks kind of shoddy. I was considering buying it and having the interior completely ripped out and redone. I'm the kind of guy who doesn't care about having super fancy looking stuff. I do like ruggedness however and it has to look reasonable or I'll catch it from my wife

I'm wonder what are costs to do something like this. I'm not looking for exact figures just kind of a high and low. I can probably get the boat for 30K or maybe less and I'm not averse to putting in another 40K if that will put it in A1 condition. Any advice is welcome. Thanks in advance.

tommays · #2 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009

I am doing a rebuild right now and one of the BIG issues is keeping within a cost that can be insured

When you buy and insure it will be based on its CURRENT condition and how 40k of upgrades gets covered ?

Faster · #3 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009

Aluminum hull - not a production boat (not necessarily bad) -homebuilt?
Crappy interior - not good - workmanship here indicative of hull build?
33 feet of possible major question marks for 30K in today's market? RED FLAG!!

Throwing another 40K at it? hmmmmmm.......

Polypterus · #4 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faster

Aluminum hull - not a production boat (not necessarily bad) -homebuilt?
Crappy interior - not good - workmanship here indicative of hull build?
33 feet of possible major question marks for 30K in today's market? RED FLAG!!

Throwing another 40K at it? hmmmmmm.......

I'm not sure the interior was always crappy (although I'm not an expert on these things) It looks to me like it it simply wasn't maintained that much. It's just kind of banged up a lot. It's teak. It might be an option to restore it. I'm not sure at this point. The boat itself was built in the Netherlands by a real shipyard. for instance the hull has no chines and looks pretty smooth to me. I think at one point it was a nice boat.

So you think it's stupid for me to put money into this then? If I'm being an idiot please tell me now

Don't pull any punches. It's the kind of advice I'm looking for. You are right in that I see I can get a larger boat for the same price. However I was thinking I would rather have something smaller because of the ongoing costs and also I think I'll be inclined to sail it more. Thanks for the comments.

JohnRPollard · #5 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polypterus

I'm not sure the interior was always crappy (although I'm not an expert on these things) It looks to me like it it simply wasn't maintained that much. It's just kind of banged up a lot. It's teak. It might be an option to restore it. I'm not sure at this point. The boat itself was built in the Netherlands by a real shipyard. for instance the hull has no chines and looks pretty smooth to me. I think at one point it was a nice boat.

So you think it's stupid for me to put money into this then? If I'm being an idiot please tell me now

Don't pull any punches. It's the kind of advice I'm looking for. You are right in that I see I can get a larger boat for the same price. However I was thinking I would rather have something smaller because of the ongoing costs and also I think I'll be inclined to sail it more. Thanks for the comments.

If you are new to sailing/owning, take a pass on this one and find something that can get you on the water with little or no delay. With your budget, you can purchase a pretty nice boat. Nothing wrong with buying the smaller size and pocketing the extra $$.

Faster · #6 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be flippant or dismissive... the fact that it was originally a factory/quality boat may in fact make it one worth salvaging. My main concern was that you were possibly dealing with an unknown one-off that would have virtually impossible to determine market value even after you were done.

Not thinking you're an idiot at all... just think you need to go into this with eyes wide open - and given the lack of value (to you - and possibly to others) of the interior maybe 30k is a high place to start... but again, depends on the pedigree and the condition of the rest of the boat and the gear on it. If the interior layout is OK and it's simply been let go then that's another story.. at least with a metal boat you do have the option of a complete redesign.. but that won't be cheap even if you do all the work yourself...

JRP has a very valid point too, though,,,,sail now or sail (much) later

Polypterus · #7 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faster

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be flippant or dismissive...

Bahhh! No worries. I'm a noob sailor but an old C++ programmer and internet salt. I've been in blood curdling flame wars on usenet before there was even a WWW

I'm so used that writing style I didn't notice.

In any case, the boat is reasonably close to where I live so I figure it wouldn't hurt to check into what it would take to put her in ship shape. If the rest of it is good I could always go for a lowball offer or as JRP said I might want to go with a different boat. I just kind of like the looks of this one. I'm weighting my options at this point. I like to get advice from all angles before I get into something. One guy I know insists I should buy a used Swan and nothing else. Even though he's experienced, common sense tells me there has to be more than one good yacht builder in the world so I take it with a grain of salt.

JohnRPollard · #8 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polypterus

Bahhh! No worries. I'm a noob sailor but an old C++ programmer and internet salt. I've been in blood curdling flame wars on usenet before there was even a WWW

I'm so used that writing style I didn't notice.

In any case, the boat is reasonably close to where I live so I figure it wouldn't hurt to check into what it would take to put her in ship shape. If the rest of it is good I could always go for a lowball offer or as JRP said I might want to go with a different boat. I just kind of like the looks of this one. I'm weighting my options at this point. I like to get advice from all angles before I get into something. One guy I know insists I should buy a used Swan and nothing else. Even though he's experienced, common sense tells me there has to be more than one good yacht builder in the world so I take it with a grain of salt.

If the interior refit on the boat you're looking at is purely elective, and you can sail this one for a while as is, it may not be all bad. It's just that custom or semi-custom metal boats need to be carefully scrutinized for construction quality and maintenance issues. You are new to all this -- why go off on a lark when you're still just learning?

If you go forward with this boat, make sure you get a professional survey.

As for the Swans, yes they are generally nice high end boats. But they are not necessarily the be all end all. There are better boats out there, and many Swans have features that would be a turn off to a lot of sailors (e.g., no companionway).

canadianseamonkey · #9 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009

There are so many boats on the market right now, I wouldn't be able to justify spending 40k on an interior. Do you really need to redo the interior or is it something you can live with for a while? It's always best to sail the boat for a while before making big changes. It might not be as bad as you think. New cushions?, redo the teak? Floor? unless is structural (bulkheads) you shouldn't have to spend 40K.

blt2ski · #10 (**permalink**) 12-23-2009

Well, lets see here, 40K for an interior on a mid 30' boat, NO PROBLEMO!

Cushions and covers for my 30'r were 14K US dollars or there abouts, granted spouse wanted some upgrades ie piping along edges, non flat seats in the salon which needed more foam/labor to cut etc, along with this was done by someone else. Do it yourself, figure about half. Needed IIRC 25-30 yds of material along with foam. And the Vee berth was upgraded and thicker foam since we sleep there.

I needed to replace ALL of the vinyl hull and headliner, I did this myself, about 60 hrs labor, material etc was $2500-3000. I had bids int he 8-10K range for others to do.

I also revarnished the teak wood interior while doing the vinyl, that was not too bad, other than the 30 hrs or so, probably a gal at best of varnish. Floors were done with a qt of __________ dang it mind block. Not made anymore and everyone likes it! 150-200 for foam brushes, rags, varnish, abrasive paper equal etc.

Then there was the new toidy, ie raritran III, old one was shot, this one has all replacable parts, and is house sized in the bowl vs smaller for typical boat bowl. $300 or there abouts.

Then there were new lights, 8-9 of them at $50 or there abouts ea..........

So I can see 40K refitting an interior. Is it worth it?!?!?! depends upon how long you want to keep the boat, etc. If you will keep it awhile, you like the boat etc.......go for it, if not, do as mentioned by faster and john, get one that is a bit better fixed, ready to go, sail it, then the "NEXT" boat, have fun refitting as you may have a better idea on what you "really" want.

I will not say it was or was not on my 22K USD boat to put another 40 into her, with sails etc, I am enjoying the boat, there is ONE boat in seattle if it comes up for sail, mine goes away if I can pull off buying that boat. Otherwise, I am into this one for another 10 yrs, I'll get my payoff in the useage and smiles folks have when they see my boat.

Marty