H-r P28

[Oyvind Snibsoer]

I just came back from looking at a '68 Hallberg-Rassy P28 that's for sale.

http://oyvind.smugmug.com/photos/157884802-M.jpg
It doesn't look too bad from a distance. Definitely in need of some TLC. But, hey, it floats! Actually, despite the traditional appearance, H-R started offering these boats with either mahogany or GRP hulls from 1963, and this is that other stuff.

http://oyvind.smugmug.com/photos/157884758-M.jpg
The cabintop seemed to be GRP over ply. The GRP has osmosis blisters all over and has to be replaced. I'm unsure about the ply underneath, but apart from some water damage in a corner inside the cabin, it looked quite dry.

http://oyvind.smugmug.com/photos/157884110-M.jpg

http://oyvind.smugmug.com/photos/157884076-M.jpg
Closeup of the most damaged area inside the cabin. Is it possible to remove water stains like these from mahogany?

http://www.hallberg-rassy.se/P28/P28-salong_forut.jpg
Then.

http://oyvind.smugmug.com/photos/157884880-S.jpg
Now.

http://oyvind.smugmug.com/photos/157884394-M.jpg
The engine is the original Albin 12 hp gasoline engine. I tried to turn it over with the crank handle, but it wouldn't budge. Since the Albin also has a reputation as a somewhat unreliable piece of machinery, and I'm generally uncomfortable around inboard gasoline engines, there's nothing to save here.

http://oyvind.smugmug.com/photos/157884844-M.jpg
On deck, the mahogany cockpit coaming is delaminating, as is the ditto toerail. Otherwise, the deck and hull seem to be mostly in need of a good cleaning, and probably some fancy goop and mucho $$$ to get the shine back. The mast has some dark spots high up, while the boom seems to be in excellent condition.

The owner is asking ~USD 11,000. I'd be inclined to offer him no more than half of that. What say ye?

[Lew Barrett]

This looks like a lot of work to me.

You can remove the stains. the problem is that it's not going to stop there, as you probably know. The entire interior will need redoing. Not trivial. Interior cosmetics are one of the worst possible jobs; double whatever hours you think for interior work.

[leaotis]

get a chain saw and make it into a huge open daysailor!

[Woxbox]

As everyone always says here -- get her surveyed. Usually when there's visible issues like that, there's lots more hidden ones. And is that Mahogany bulkhead just stained, or has it lost its structural properties, allowing the hull to flex? It looks pretty bad.
That being said, if the work is labor, not parts, and you have the time, it may be worth taking on. Have you priced out the engine replacement?

[Oyvind Snibsoer]

A used diesel engine in decent condition can be had for ~USD 2000. Of course, a new propeller, shaft etc if needed can easily double that estimate.

In case you're not all that familiar with Hallberg-Rassy, they're at the very high quality, upper end of the Swedish boat industry. I really couldn't consider restoring this boat without doing it properly, just making do with a workboat finish would not be right for this boat. I don't have time for that, and besides I'd rather go sailing. I guess the search continues.

[Tom Hunter]

Buy this boat if you like fixing boats.