Salvaged boat, how safe is it?

[khc1970]

Recently came across a salvaged boat. It sunk a couple of miles out when the drain holes for the self draining deck came away from the hull. Water poured in, they didn't realise until water was coming out of the hatch. It sank minutes after an emergency call and all picked up by the coastguards.<br /><br />The holes have now been re-glassed and it looks good. How safe is the boat likely to be?

 

[novicetech]

Re: Salvaged boat, how safe is it?

What kind of boat is it? how old? how much?<br />If it is relativly new it would probably be okay for a season or two, Does the motor run? Did it sink in salt water?

 

[AaronG]

Re: Salvaged boat, how safe is it?

Get a survey if you are serious about buying it. That in my opinion would be the only way to tell how safe it is.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Salvaged boat, how safe is it?

Guess you're asking about the hull integrity more than anything else. <br /><br />After all, the electrics or motor will be shot, which could involve a lot of expense. The woodwork might be in a poor state, especially if it sank in salt. Underfloor stringers might feel fine but could be rotten. Foam might be waterlogged. Fish might be breeding in the bilges.<br /><br />No-one here can give a proper opinion on these things without seeing the boat. It needs an inspection - get a surveyors report. And prepare to open your wallet wide.

 

[bayman]

Re: Salvaged boat, how safe is it?

Agreed, go the safe route and find an experienced marine surveyor.

 

[milkyway]

Re: Salvaged boat, how safe is it?

Why would you buy a sunked boat? if you are good mechanically and electrically and know a lot about boats, it can be a hobby. Saving money cannot be the objective coz individual parts and labor cost a lot more. <br /><br />maybe the boat was intentionally sunked...

 

[bayman]

Re: Salvaged boat, how safe is it?

About a year ago I saw someone get a boat which had been sunk for about a day. It was a new boat and they got it for a fifth of the cost. Being an all-composite boat, they only had to replace a few things and they were on the water for a very low price.<br /><br />The prices can be good, but I think it has to be the right boat.

 

[khc1970]

Re: Salvaged boat, how safe is it?

Sorry, forgot to put down more info about the boat.<br /><br />It's a 20' fibreglass boat, there is no electrics, no engine (total write off), no steering, just the reinforced fibreglass. It was salvage after a few days in the sea.<br /><br />The only damages were the detached drains and a few damages suffered when it was salvaged. All the damages had been repaird and the price for the hull is quite atrractive.<br />I think I'll get a survey done on it and see what they say. <br /><br />Thanks.

 

[rayjay]

Re: Salvaged boat, how safe is it?

A guy on the next dock came in towing a "bottom brown" Bayliner deckboat. Merc outboard. Very first thing they do is start pressure washing the hull. No change in color. Turns out the boat had been submerged 6 months! { Fresh water }. A few days later they start trying to start the motor ! I was surprised it wasn't locked up. A couple of days after that he towed the boat away because the marina manager started raising cain. My wife saw the boat leaving and thought it was under it's own power and I was incredulous. I had been saying "There's NO WAY that motor will ever run without a total rebuild and it may be too far gone for that ". So I was really amazed.<br /><br />She also said that it sounded like his other boat [ imagine a SBC bracket racer: big cam, loud ex ]. I'm saying "What !!!! It should sound just like our Merc 115 " She really stood by her story. Later one of our dock mates gave us the real scoop. He was towing the Bayliner with his "bracket boat" using about a 200' towline. When my wife saw the Bayliner leaving it was already a good ways from the dock and the tow boat was out of view behind some houseboats.<br /><br />From what I read on here, that Bayliner was most likely junk with lots of water logged wood [ probably before it sank ]

 

[milkyway]

Re: Salvaged boat, how safe is it?

So you are not buying a boat after all.

 

[rayjay]

Re: Salvaged boat, how safe is it?

The drains coming undone sounds like poor engineering to me. Might be a hull or manufacturer to avoid.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Salvaged boat, how safe is it?

... or an insurance scam.<br /><br />If it was a Whaler, then he might be on to a good thing.

 

[Navigator]

Re: Salvaged boat, how safe is it?

Stillfishing...<br /><br />If it were a Whaler, then it never would have sank in the first place....probably just be sitting mighty low in the water <br /><br />Nav