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I doubt that I invented that term, but I don't think I've seen it commonly used either.
What I mean by a "frakenboat" is one that is a mix of parts from different manufacturers, etc.
Most older boats are frakenboats to some degree or another. Some previous owner or boatyard has replaced parts with something different than the original manufacturer intended, or an owner has changed the way things are rigged, added/removed items, etc.
But some boats are _real_ franenboats. Possibly a rebuild with completely different mast/rigging than that model of boat would ever have. Or maybe an ambitious do-it-yourselfer has gutted the interior and rebuilt it to his/her own vision of live-aboard perfection. Perhaps the diesel has been replaced with an electric, or the electrical system has been modified for modern solar/wind power to the degree that it's incomprehensible to anyone but the person who made the changes.
I'd be interested to hear stories of people who've owned boats like these, both good and bad stories. In my hunt for my own live aboard sailboat, I've encountered multiple frankenboats for sale, and it's always a concern for me ... will buying something like this be a nightmare to maintain or really no worse than a boat that hasn't been heavily modified?
A word often applied to things like a sailboat, where the PO has randomly replaced the mast and boom (and if you didn't know, that will make finding new sails trickier) and, oh yes, pulled out the inboard diesel and bolted on a short-shaft outboard because it was so much cheaper?
Once found a "secret switch" under the cockpit in the DC wiring, apparently installed as an anti-theft measure by a PO. Of course when the AC zip cord used to wire it up started to punk out...Then the compass lights went out and new ones didn't work either. Tracing the wires for those found more zip cord, twisted and taped, pulled apart above the engine harness. And these are the usual LITTLE things, without asking WTF the PO had been thinking. Like a perpetual alternator charging problem, traced down to the wrong alternator and wrong size pulley on it. Apparently someone just needed an alternator and that one bolted up, and stayed there.
We won't mention what the wrong "just replaced" rudder can do to helm balance.
Frankenboat? If you go in with both eyes open, and you have the skills to appraise all the creative work that was done...no worry. Elsewise, you just never know how clever someone has been. And how that might bite you.
Some are 'Frankenboats' even if brand loyalty hasn't been compromised
As to your definition.. beyond the molded parts few boat parts are boat builder specific. However things like the rudder abortion mentioned already, radical rig modifications, or cabin/house 'upgrades can certainly result in some 'prizes'...
I know a guy who used a parking lot light pole to fashion his mast. He has a degree in naval architecture, but I don't think ever held a job in the field. Perhaps it's legit. Still makes me think......... "it's alive"
Aren't pretty much all boats, even new ones, a mix of parts from different manufacturers? I know ours came from the factory with Harken winches, Bomar hatches, some Lewmar blocks, Garhauer vang, Wichard shackles, JSI mast and rig, Foss rudders, etc.
We have replaced several items with different versions of what the manufacturer intended. Even replaced the rudders with a different design and size. Other models of our boat have rerigged with different brand mast and boom, added in-boom furlers, etc. Even different engines and drives - including electric.
I don't really think of that as a "frankenboat".
Now this is certainly getting into frankenboat territory:
Mine's still a C&C even though only the mast, boom, keel and rudder are the only original equipment left for that hull and deck. Oh ya toerail is still original but has been rebedded.
There was a poster looking at a Pearson 35 I think, a month or so back that had a longer mast and deeper keel modifications and it was showing signs of serious bulkhead damage and rigging failure surely imminent. That's the frankenboat you watch out for. Sure we are all built from lots of parts that doesn't count.
This is the most impressive Frankenboat I've seen. Mast and rigging removed. Replaced with "freestand" lamppost and junk sail. Made unsinkable, water tight cabin. All so he can sail single handed to the high artic
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