Need some wisdom regarding saving a boat!

[NoraLee]

I have a boat that I want to see restored, and teach children about the environment, the earth and each other through sailing.

I have a Hugh Angleman "South Coaster" a baby 'Sea Witch'named "Sea Fever", she was built in Saigon in 1968 and sailed on her bottom to the Chesapeake, has been in EC for about 20 years, she has owned us since 1996!!!

See Wooden Boat Vol. 147 for an article about Hugh Angleman and his classic boats. We were sold her as a 'Sea Witch' upon reading the article, we have decided that she is her baby sister!

She displaces 38,000 # and is mostly 1 7/8" teak, Russian Stainless fastened, her two masts are Sitka Spruce. She was glassed below the waterline,when built. Glass remains fast after all these years! Her interior is traditional raised panel cabinetry, she was refitted abour 20 years ago.

She needs lots of work, far more than my husband is willing to do. If her we were younger and had deeper pockets oh well...

Do you think I should approach Elizabeth City State University? or perhaps a Christian based group or an environmental group like the
HV Clearwater? (I have been a member in the past)

Due to medical reasons and work demands), my husband is embarrassed about her condition. He is bewly retired and has the time to cevote but not the $$$

The owner before us did some poorly executed additions. which caused the rot of the Cabin Top. Cut thru a deck beam to put a #@%$ Carry Cool AC and put a vent over galley and did not seal properly!

Some of the rot had been camoflagged by a layer or two of FG, not well done either. Did not address leaky teaky decks, told us to keep them wet, as bungs were popping and caulking dried out!

We have not been able to be the stewards, that we had wished and are truly sorry. that she is in this state, but all is not lost, She deserves to be completely restored.

I do not want to see her go, i know in my heart that this can be done. I gave watched this wonderful forum respond, to so many challenges, so I put it to you all, can this be done?

I am looking for a not for profit to refit her and run the program, of course with my Husband as captain and me as Admiral or some other wonderfully qualified person.! Heck I would be glad to be deckmate if she is restored.

We will see if I can achieve this , in the meantime she sits in the water awaiting a major refit. Hull is sound, Decks need to come up to replace rotten ply, Cabin Roof needs replacing, Engine to be rebuilt (Perkins 108). Husband is a diesel mechanic by trade, and a detail oriented carpenter.

I know it is a big dream, but I think if I pray on it , it will happen!

This is a Coast Guard town and I know that there is a group of people who would rally around the right cause, there are many mentors waiting to teach the next generation, and I think that this is the vessel, that can change lives!

I would love to see an army of talented people bring her back to life! And then have her sail to make a difference in this world!

Your opinion will be welcome!

My husband thinks that I am reaching for the stars, I am aiming high and, I will be glad to reach the moon!

This is your assignment, if you are willing to take it.............

I await your replies!

[Gary E]

It takes DEEP pockets to save this type of boat... and remember, it's only a boat, not your family and not the world...

Should you save it?.. only if you can aford to and you've already answered that question.

Should IT be saved?... no idea.. maybe ask the Smithsonian...

Put it on eBay, maybe someone will want to "save" it.

Sorry, this is most likely not the answer you wanted to hear.

[tonydezoc]

Not entirely clear what you want, do you want someone to rebuild your boat but for you to remain the owner? It sounds like a quality boat originally, I'm not sure letting a group of volunteers loose on it would be a great idea unless they were supervised by someone who knew what they were doing,but I suppose you could contact local youth groups/charities and see what happens, otherwise you could look for a boatbuilding school or college with a similar course and see if they would take it on as a project for their students, at least then you would know they were doing a decent job but they may take a long time. Another suggestion, get a value for the boat if it were in good condition, and then try to sell a half share for half that amount, or maybe a little less on the understanding that the money the new owner is putting in will bring the boat up to scratch. Good luck

[Jay Greer]

You have already recieved some very good advise. It does take deep pockets to restore a wooden boat, both in time and money. If you wish to make your boat into a non profit foundation for the purpose of education, there are government grants available for that purpose. Bear in mind that the reward of receiving a grant has many strings attached and you will be required to make your boat available for various educational programs and outings in order to comply. If you truly wish to explore the possibility of a grant, you will need the services of a grant writer for that purpose. Some sources that come to mind are IYRS(The International Yacht Restoration School) on the East Coast or the Wooden Boat Foundation in Port Townsend WA. The contact there is Alicia Alvarez.
Jay

[NoraLee]

Thanx for the replies, I will look into some of this. I was not clear, we do not expect to retain ownership, we will donate the boat to whatever not for profit is interested., providing their mission statement fulfills our goals.

We would plan to be very involved participants in the process. We have a friend who is a boat builder, who we would like to oversee this project along with my husband. The volunteers would be trained and assisted in the restoration along the way.

Keep the ideas flowing!

The NC Sound System really needs an environmental educational boat to teach the younger generation, that we need to take care of our waterways, or we will loose the bounty that they provide.

Regards,

[Tom Robb]

I've seen boats donated to non profits that ended up sold for whatever cash they'd bring in. No guarentee there as to what becomes of her once out of your hands no matter where she goes.
Nothing is forever, I'm afraid.

[NoraLee]

I know that could pose a problem, am looking into beginning a not for profit along with an existing one, it's mission would be to restore the boat first and then restore you peoples lives (ie: at risk kids) N

NC has grants available right now for At Risk programs, I am talking with someone from the local University (ECSU).