Sunken Treasure

[Rick Webb]

It would be an excellent way to turn money into frustration and time into angst.

Were it to be a successful operation you would truly be looked at as some sort of a boat maintenance god, a real stud of epic proportion and the cock of the walk.

 

[Grumps]

I want to pose a crazy question:
What are your thoughts and/or experience with rebuilding a sunken sailboat? I am considering having one floated and rebuilding her. She’s been down about a year in freshwater. It is believed to have been an act of vandalism, not a hull issue. I am not certain what it is, but I’m leaning towards it being a 1977 Morgan 382. Engine wasn’t operable when she sank, which isn’t a problem for me as I was strongly considering an electric conversion anyway. I guess my biggest concern is with the hull and deck. I expect to replace everything on the interior and I’m not in a hurry to finish the project, more of a hobby. Thanks for any input you may have to offer.

Ok, update on the sunken treasure…

It is a 1987 Hunter Legend 37. Solid glass hull, cored deck.

 

[jssailem]

You feeling Lucky?

 

[Grumps]

You feeling Lucky?

Mostly bored

 

[Grumps]

You feeling Lucky?

I want to pose a crazy question:
What are your thoughts and/or experience with rebuilding a sunken sailboat? I am considering having one floated and rebuilding her. She’s been down about a year in freshwater. It is believed to have been an act of vandalism, not a hull issue. I am not certain what it is, but I’m leaning towards it being a 1977 Morgan 382. Engine wasn’t operable when she sank, which isn’t a problem for me as I was strongly considering an electric conversion anyway. I guess my biggest concern is with the hull and deck. I expect to replace everything on the interior and I’m not in a hurry to finish the project, more of a hobby. Thanks for any input you may have to offer.

Ok, update on the sunken treasure…

It is a 1987 Hunter Legend 37. Solid glass hull, cored deck.

…and it has new sails… Ha!

 

[shemandr]

Grumps, it would be remiss not to mention that even fiberglass can be degraded by immersion in water - especially fresh water. The osmotic gradient favors migration of water into the laminate where it then can degrade the resin and even the fibers. Yes fiberglass hulls sit in fresh water for years but they are protected by gel coat and/or a barrier coat. The interior fiberglass is rarely, if ever, so protected. So there is little assurance that the un-cored fiberglass will be sound.

 

[Grumps]

Grumps, it would be remiss not to mention that even fiberglass can be degraded by immersion in water - especially fresh water. The osmotic gradient favors migration of water into the laminate where it then can degrade the resin and even the fibers. Yes fiberglass hulls sit in fresh water for years but they are protected by gel coat and/or a barrier coat. The interior fiberglass is rarely, if ever, so protected. So there is little assurance that the un-cored fiberglass will be sound.

But it has new sails

 

[jssailem]

migration of water into the laminate where it then can degrade the resin

True fact.
But Grumps is bored. Confusion with such details, why? He might get lucky. Most of the boat could be fine. Just a little bit of degradation.

 

[JBP-PA]

But it has new sails

Fetch off the sails. If they are still good you can sell them.

 

[Grumps]

But it has new sails

Fetch off the sails. If they are still good you can sell them.

Kind of considering parting it out. Has salvageable hardware… mast, wenches, cleats, engine block, etc… would depend on the cost of acquisition.

 

[SteveHughessails]

If it arrived at my shop I wouldn’t turn it away.
That’s a large vessel.

 

[twodzusfittings]

Hey Grumps
salvageable hardware… wenches!
Talk about "Plenty of Fish in the Sea.......but really, they are not all salvageable!
Oh you mean winches.....or do you?

 

[Grumps]

Hey Grumps
salvageable hardware… wenches!
Talk about "Plenty of Fish in the Sea.......but really, they are not all salvageable!
Oh you mean winches.....or do you?

I’m thinking wenches…

 

[SailingLoto]

Just to put a finer point on it, I'd wager that you can buy a decent Morgan 382 for $20-25K. There is no way you could reconstruct this wreck for less than that.

Mark

One on ebay that sailable with a $5000 start bid. It's listed on yachtworld for 15k.