Restoring a neglected sailboat? Where to find?

[matslundqvist]

Hi guys, I've just found this forum. Seems great, with a lot of passionate boatpeople (bad translation?) with alot of experience to share.

That's why I wanted to ask you all a question.

I'm looking to buy a sailboat in the size of say... a 40-45 footer, preferably a french brand or any well known brand. That has been neglected and would be available for a much lower price then the ones in better condition. If it's structural damage on the cheap ones, it must be minimal as to not impact safety or more importantly - my wallet .

I think I could combine a vacation to FL with a few quick visits to a few boatyards to look for my dreamboat. But since I don't have a clue as to where to start looking, I'm asking you for pointers to send me in the right direction.

My dream is to find a boat that I can renovate in the US with new equipment and more (that is about half price compared to here - Sweden). And then ship it or sail it home over the atlantic.

I've already completely renovated my small Selco Riviera 16foot boat, and I think I have what it takes to take on a larger boat. The things that I will stay away from are painting and enginework. The rest I can do myself, even though it will take me more than perhaps a year to get it ready for the open seas.

Thank you for any help!
Cheers!
/Mats

 

[kaferhaus]

Re: Restoring a neglected sailboat? Where to find?

How are you going to get a visa for that?

I knew a Frenchman who tried to do the same thing in Sarasota florida. He was also "working" at a boatyard and being paid under the table. Someone in the marina or anchorage he was staying at turned him in to INS and he was promptly deported. His boat was impounded by the US Marshalls and ended up being sold at auction.

Just make sure you obtain the proper visa.

 

[matslundqvist]

Re: Restoring a neglected sailboat? Where to find?

Hmm, good point... Didn't think about that...

I figure since I wouldn't work under anyones employ and don't work for no-one other then myself, it would be ok?

Hmm, guess that leaves renovation in the US out of the picture.

But I can atleast do some scouting, see if can find a decent boat in the surrounding area. Do you have any suggestions as to where to look?

/Mats

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Restoring a neglected sailboat? Where to find?

Have you tried the Houston/Galveston TX craigslist? Lots of stuff literally left aground after Hurricane Ike...some good, some really bad. Might be worth a look.

 

[kaferhaus]

Re: Restoring a neglected sailboat? Where to find?

Craigslist.com or boattrader.com would be good places to start. Boat yards have never worked out for me.

There are a lot of "insurance totals" on the market in Texas and SW Louisianna right now. However most of those boats have either structural damage or were completely submerged during the hurricanes.

There's an odd difference between folks that own large powerboats and those that own large sailboats. Seems most of the folks that own large sailboats are a few years older and more financially stable. You don't find too many large sailboats that have simply been "neglected" as you put it unless it's a very old boat that was aquired by some younger less financially stable guy as a project to begin with.

And the vast majority of boats here are those terrible US made ones.

Have you actually looked into the price of ocean shipping a large sail boat? Any money you may save "fixing one" would likely be far less than what it's going to cost to ship such a vessel across the atlantic.

The other thing is you'd have to find your "fixer upper" near a boat yard that allows owners to work on their own boat. Some do, some don't. And many of the yards that will allow you to do your own work will charge you several hundred dollars a month "storage" and several hundred dollars to pull the boat out of the water and put it back in.

I think If you follow some of the threads here about folks that have taken on much less ambitious projects where there are no costs for storage, pulling the boat and they can work out of their house with tools they already own....

I seriously doubt you'll be saving any money before it's all over.

Most of the time these boats end up being parted out. Or end up in some guys backyard for 5-6 years before ever seeing the water again.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Restoring a neglected sailboat? Where to find?

Hi guys, I've just found this forum. Seems great, with a lot of passionate boatpeople (bad translation?) with alot of experience to share.

That's why I wanted to ask you all a question.

I'm looking to buy a sailboat in the size of say... a 40-45 footer, preferably a french brand or any well known brand. That has been neglected and would be available for a much lower price then the ones in better condition. If it's structural damage on the cheap ones, it must be minimal as to not impact safety or more importantly - my wallet .

I think I could combine a vacation to FL with a few quick visits to a few boatyards to look for my dreamboat. But since I don't have a clue as to where to start looking, I'm asking you for pointers to send me in the right direction.

My dream is to find a boat that I can renovate in the US with new equipment and more (that is about half price compared to here - Sweden). And then ship it or sail it home over the atlantic.

I've already completely renovated my small Selco Riviera 16foot boat, and I think I have what it takes to take on a larger boat. The things that I will stay away from are painting and enginework. The rest I can do myself, even though it will take me more than perhaps a year to get it ready for the open seas.

Thank you for any help!
Cheers!
/Mats

Its very do-able, visa's are good for up to 6 months. As long as you don't work, or don't tell them. I've got freinds who came here 15 yrs ago and are still here, some got married and legal , some are still working construction jobs under the table. If all the Irish illegals who work construction in Boston went home to Ireland, nothing would get built.

As for the boat, I see them free all the time, not storm damaged, some in good condition, they are too big for the owners to store.
http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/boa/980897568.html

some boats end up donated to charity, they are rebuilt and sold at very reasonable prices.
http://www.charityboatsales.org/

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/boa/982422650.html

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Restoring a neglected sailboat? Where to find?

craigslist > florida w



choose the site nearest you (or suggest a new one):


daytona beach
florida keys
ft myers / SW florida
gainesville
jacksonville
lakeland
ocala
orlando
panama city
pensacola / panhandle
sarasota-bradenton
south florida - includes separate sections for miami/dade, broward, and palm beach counties
space coast
st augustine
tallahassee
tampa bay area
treasure coast

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Restoring a neglected sailboat? Where to find?

There are always ones being given away around here.

The river is littered with them.

Look around sailboats go real cheap.

It just makes me wonder if there is a good reason like maybe the cost of re-rigging?

I don't know why.

Good luck.

 

[KurtG]

Re: Restoring a neglected sailboat? Where to find?

Right now with the economy, it seems many large boats are cheaper than the smaller ones. I think it goes to the cost of storage, slip, and operating expenses.

I also thik craigslist may be the best site to look-

I've seen several 30-40' under 10-15k

 

[Mark42]

Re: Restoring a neglected sailboat? Where to find?

I don't know much about sailboats, but what I do know is this: They are completely different than power boats in design and structure. IE you can't just throw in a few new stringers and decking and be good to go. Sailboats are almost all high tech composite cored hulls. Using either balsa or foam. Depending on if there was a hull breach or not, repairs can be extensive. They also have a tendency to osmosis blistering because they tend to sit in the water 24/7 all year long, something that most small powerboats don't do.

Sounds like you have a plan, just be sure you have the correct info on refurbishing a large sailing vessel before buying.

Best of luck.

PS, Sweden makes some outstanding power boats! Wish they sold them here.

 

[matslundqvist]

Re: Restoring a neglected sailboat? Where to find?

Well guys, you all gave me alot more to think about, that's for sure - Thanks

I checked what the freight would cost for a large sailboat 40-45 feet, and it would be very high. So the costsavings would be greatly reduced.

I've been looking more towards buying the boat in Germany instead due to their lower taxes (16% instead of the Swedish 25%). And that's probably what I'll do.

Mark42: Sure, the powerboats are nice But they need an American V8 to really be fun boats (Dual Chev 350's in my dad's boat )