Where to start?

[bud]

A friend recently tracked down the boat his grandfather built. The present owner offered it to him for free. It is really not a project he was anxious to take on at this time, 2 small children etc., but how do you turn down your grandfather's boat? this is "Cedar Bough"
http://www.shelterassociatesltd.com/images/CEDARBOUGH1.JPG

[ken mcclure]

It's easy to turn it down. Write this down, give it to him, and have him read it to the present owner:

"I thank you for this boat. I am going to accept it in the name of my friend, Bud. He will be by to pick it up."

Of course, you can also substitute the name "Ken" and call me. http://media5.hypernet.com/~dick/ubb/biggrin.gif

[RGM]

It would be interesting to know what kind of condition the boat is in/isn't in. A good survey (for condition) would be a place to start. Followed by an experienced shipwright giving it the heavy eyeball (workscope, cost & prioritizing repairs). Both services would be worth paying for. Then your friend should get the boat after he has a pretty good idea of what he's getting into (regardless). To a degree it's potentially an heirloom, it's one of those rare things that hopefully get's pasted down thru generations. Granted, it'll be more of a pain and expense than an old pocket watch, but it'll be a hell of alot more fun too. The idea that his kids can grow up with him enjoying the boat as a family (hopefully) sounds pretty good to me. There's plenty of help here on the forum, libraries, internet and boatyards. When I saw the pictures of "Ceadar Bough" I instantly imagined a cover over it ala Ed Harrow. Does your friend have some skills, apptitude, attitude, tools, place to store the boat and most importantly a like minded spousal unit if he decides to take the boat? He can always give it away, sell it to kwmcclure for a couple of bucks or dispose of it. Boats, what a pain.

[Smacksman]

And be aware that even modern plastic boats need cleaning, antifouling, washing rope and sails, varnish brightwork, oil teak, engine maintenance, strip down winches, grease sea cocks ....

[Concordia41]

Where to start???

Call all your credit card companies and have your limits raised; sell outright or mortgage your first born; have yourself cloned so you can work a second job and still have time to work on the boat.

Oh yeah - go for it!!!

[Ed Harrow]

Some opportunities are granted but once...

[nedL]

As Ed said....

[Mike Field]

And as Arthur Ransome said --

Grab a chance and you won't be sorry for a might-have-been.

[Art Read]

Speaking as the builder of my first, (and most likely ONLY!) boat, one recuring thought/wish which has kept me going through all the tedium, expense, occasional pain, strained relations, noise, dust, busted timbers, "gelled" paint/varnish, and of course, the excruciatingly slow progress, is that SOMEBODY, someday, will appreciate all this. If this forum is around in fifty or sixty years, and somebody posts a picture of my poor, tired, old boat with grass growing through the floorboards and paint peeling off in sheets, saying, "My uncle Artie built this boat, do you think it's worth saving?", I know what I hope the reply would be. Perhaps the boat in question is a lot worse off than the picture shows. So be it. It would still be wonderfull if the grandson could take her into his life at least long enough to give her a "reverential" end. But just maybe there's really a family treasure there, just waiting, wanting only a sympathetic hand and an impractical heart?

[Bruce Hooke]

I think it is worth remembering that while Grandpa would probably love looking down from heaven and seeing his Grandson and Great-Grandchildren sailing the boat he built, if Grandson just doesn't have the time, energy, and money to repair and maintain such a boat Grandpa would probably rather see the boat with someone who can take care of it then see it disintegrate from neglect in his Grandson's yard while his Grandson gets stress attacks every time he goes out and sees the boat that he isn't working on like he thinks he should. If after careful thought Grandson (and his spouse!) feel like they want to save this boat then go for it, by all means, but otherwise get her to someone who will love her.

Sorry to be a bit of a wet blanket but I have some experience with the ways in which family heirlooms can become burdens rather than gifts...

[B.Marks]

Bud
see you are local, is the boat up in this area? Get in touch or look me up.
Bill