Neophyte Seeking Pre-Purchase Advice

[Windlass]

Looking at purchasing a 1968 wooden Drascombe Lugger (marine ply with bronze(?) fastenings & epoxy finish).

Wondering if structural integrity of hull and fastenings should be a concern for a boat of this age and what tell tale signs to look for during pre-purchase inspection that might clue me in to potential problems.

Any advice or insight would be very welcome! Thanks.

[Bob Cleek]

Bronze fastenings should last much longer than that, so they should be decent. The big concern is the plywood. It may or may not have delamination problems. Rot is also a concern beneath the "epoxy" finish. Epoxy wasn't in general use in boatbuilding in 1968. If there is some sheathing, it is most likely fibreglass, in which case delamination of the fibreglass is a concern. (It is notorious for not sticking well to plywood.) Given the size of the boat, it wouldn't be costly to have a surveyor go over it. They are good boats and well worth having. If she's been kept well and stored indoors, she may well be in near pristine condition, but "buyer beware." Get a survey. If you consider yourself a neophyte (and smart enough to recognize that), it would be money well spent.

[outofthenorm]

The advice to get a survey is correct, and everyone with any sense will tell you to get a good one before you put any $$ down.

However, there is a lot you can look at yourself before you spend any money on surveys. Every boat needs something - or will before the year is out - and you have to be prepared to deal with it, so might as well start learning stuff. You won't replace the need for a survey, but all knowledge is good.

A sampling of stuff:

Has the boat been covered and cared for, or open and neglected? Don't trust what the owner says. Look for leaves, dirt, old bits of gear in the corners, mildew and paint or varnish lifting off - all signs of neglect. If it's on a trailer, look for deformation where it sits on the rollers or bunks of the trailer. A lot of boats have been ruined by poor trailering.

Walk around the hull and push gently but firmly against every plywood panel you can reach. They should all feel about the same stiffness. Try to sense whether the panel is still holding together, or has it delaminated?

Use your nose inside lockers and in corners - the difference between the smell of clean and dry vs. wet and rotten is pretty plain. if it smells stinky, be warned.

Use your fingers. Literally, poke around in corners, under and around fittings, around the mast steps - anywhere water could collect and sit. Learn to think like water - where would you collect? Check for softness or lifting finishes there.

Check around rudder mountings and bow-eyes carefully. Wiggle them and use some force on them (by hand only). If they move, assume there is trouble near by.

Inspect any visible fastenings. Are they tight or loose? You've been told they are bronze, but try to see for yourself. If they are rusty, they're not bronze.

Look for cracks, gouges, wounds, old repairs - and expect to find some. Battle scars are normal - but it's the standard of repair that matters. For example, if when you looked around, you found a patch on the hull somewhere, the quality of the patch will tell you something. Is it holding up? Are the edges of the patch neat and tidy? Are the fastenings tight and sound?

Overall, you will be trying to get a sense of the health of the boat. But be careful - the cosmetic condition doesn't necessarily tell you what you need to know. Paint covers a multitude of sins. That's why getting a survey for an older boat - and maybe any boat - is a good idea.

- Norm

[rbgarr]

What's the asking price and where are you? There may be no competent wood boat surveyors within cost-effective distance.

[Windlass]

Norm - this is very helpful and makes a lot of sense - thanks for the advice. James (s/v Windlass).

[Windlass]

Asking $4K with trailer and motor (seems reasonable?) but agree cost of a surveyor ($500+/-?) seems tough to justify, especially given remote (ish) location in islands north of Seattle - will try to do initial inspection myself and maybe come back to this forum for further advice if I may....

[Thorne]

That's a fairly steep price, depending on condition of boat, sails & rigging, trailer and outboard. There is an intrinsic value to the Lugger, as plans are no longer available and so buying used is the only way to legally get a Drascombe of this type. If you really want a Lugger, then it may well be worth the money.

Can we assume that both boat and trailer have current registration? What is the history of the boat? (I know one down here that was sold a few years ago after a high-quality restoration) Get lots of pics, some measurements, and be as specific as possible to save yourself and us a lot of typing and The Wooden Boat Inquisition -- which no one expects. ;0 )