repair costs?

[johngsandusky]

Ok, I know this is speculative. A 40' sailboat that needs new floors and lower frames. The original floors are iron. How much to have it repaired proffessionally? Has anyone here paid for such a job? Or been paid to do it? I'm aware that there are many variables, and that any old boat might reveal many more problems when opened up. I just need some idea to know if I could afford it. Any experiences would be appreciated.

[Thorne]

$25,231.64

;0 )

Get a professional survey, and a quote from a reputable shop. Otherwise we are trying to answer, "How long is a piece of string?"...

[johngsandusky]

I don't own the boat. If I had a proffessional quote on hand, I wouldn't be asking others for their accounts.
But at that price, I'll send the boat to you. )

[Gary E]

Maybe that's a CASH in advance price... like some home repair contractors...

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

First, check your bank balance... then your wifes. Add together all your kids education funds, your retirement savings, and the balance of credit on all your plastic. Figure out how much you could touch your parents for in terms on an advance on your inheritance.Total all of this... then double it.

[Concordia...41]

I think Peter has it about right.

Seriously, it may help for you to look at it in terms of time. I'd say 10 hours per frame and per floor would be conservative - taking into account the time it takes to remove the old part, and then build and reinstall the new. Multiply that by the # that you know need to be replaced and then multiply the number of hours times your current going yard rate. Don't forget to add materials and storage.

Then double that because, as you mentioned, more will be revealed during the process.

Keep us posted on what you decide to do.

[Ron Joslin]

It will cost you three times the figure you first come up with. Take a good look at what might seem to be a good deal. Good Luck

[Lew Barrett]

Around here it's $55 an hour, plus materials.

[oakman]

There's a yard on the South shore of Long Island reputed for its work on wood boats, they charge $75 hr for labor.

[johngsandusky]

Thanks for the input. I'm trying to balance enthusiasm and desire with caution. It may be that with all that it requires, transport, storage, and repair, it's too much. I'm talking about the Albert Strange yawl in FL. It's been on the forum before, now it's on ebay.

[Jim Ledger]

You know how one thing leads to another, John. It's never just what you first planned on. If I were you I'd be really cautious here.

[GregW]

I'm talking about the Albert Strange yawl in FL. It's been on the forum before, now it's on ebay.

Oh that boat. It needs a survey, no doubt about it. The survey would be worth the money, it could save you $$$$$, or at least give you a fair idea of how much it's going to cost.
I would bet it needs more than a few frames and floors, the current owners might be a little optimistic as far as work required is concerned. One dry winter on the hard in the NE, will reveal all types of neat things. Get a survey.

[johngsandusky]

No time for a survey, bidding will end. It's very tempting to try to save her. At the price she's effectively free, but few free boasts float, or have for years. Still, I've refrained from bidding. I'm not really afraid to commit money to the project, this boat in sound sailing condition would cost 40k. It's just that even getting it home is a big project.

[Lew Barrett]

John ,
You know this, it's been said before and I'm only one of many who will say it again.
It is almost always less expensive to buy a boat in the condition you aspire to than it is to bring her there yourself. Saving a big boat sounds generous and fun until you get into the middle of the project and realize it's your money.
If you do the work yourself and enjoy the effort, as many do, that's one thing. There's pay in the work as well as the boat. But if it's simply a boat you want, a paid restoration is not the sound financial approach. Jim Ledger's comments ring with authority in this circumstance. This is especially true for cruising boats where their value is in their utility, and almost never in their collectibility. Pick a good one. Nobody will fault you for letting a used up boat be somebody else's headache.

[Tom Hunter]

I think your talking at least $75,000

If you did not blink, then buy the boat.

[S/V Laura Ellen]

I think your talking at least $75,000

If you did not blink, then buy the boat.

If you did blink, but then showed the quote to your wife and she didn't kill you on the spot, then you still have a good chance at buying the boat.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

Free wooden boats are worth every penny of their asking price.

[jerry bark]

to paraphrase James Lamb Free in Training Your Retriever:

"A free (boat) is usually the most expensive (boat) you will ever own."

good luck
jerry

[pcford]

It's a very neat boat. One has to assume that it needs a huge amount of work....many tens of thousands. I'd guess that one could burn through 100k pretty easily....that's if you hire people

I would think you could a surveyor to do an in the water survey on short notice.

Good luck. She is a beautiful old gal; I hope she is saved!

[dreyer]

my boat cost $500.

Im $8k down and probably have another 15k to go.

Initial guestimate was throw $5000 at it.

But not a day goes by when i dont look at the boat, feel romantic and smile at what the finished product will give me back.

[johngsandusky]

I lack the time to do this myself. Maybe when I retire. I don't think that all very cheap boats are a bad deal. We all know that any wooden boat is hard to sell. I have met a couple of guys who got useable boats very cheaply. In fact, in 1991 I bought a 20'wooden sloop, trailer, outboard for $600. I probably could have beaten the seller down, but it would have been cruel. I sailed her for 7 years without major repairs. Still, I'm reluctantly passing up Bue Jay. I sure hope someone fixes her.

[Thad]

There have actually been 16 bids, now up above $2400. Lots of people say she's got to be a basket case, people who might know but haven't actually looked at her. The numbers above don't seem out of line, but it wouldn't surprise me if the job were possible where many would say "forget it". Much work was done in the early 90s. It would be great to see her sailing and not just at a Florida bulkhead.

[Thorne]

Remember that there is some value in the hardware, spars, and other parts of the boat that can be sold either online or locally -- so some of the bids may reflect that "parting-out" perspective as compared to "fixing-up".

[johngsandusky]

Well, the boat sold for $5100. That's 100 more than the seller was asking before ebay. I hope the new owner fixes it up. Maybe we'll see it again.