Boat Disposal-what can I do?

[Gadfly1974]

I'm sure I would have received different advice had I joined this site before I bought, but...

I have a 1974 San Juan 24. I've sailed it hard for 3 years, but now it has a rotten hull that can't be fixed- the keel is WOBBLY. How do I retire it? I don't have a lot of extra money, it is kept in a marina, but I will not scuttle it. Can I sell it for the lead hull? I am in Vancouver, Canada.

 

[Tim R.]

Place an ad saying free and someone may just take it.

 

[Gadfly1974]

That's actually a good idea. I'm pretty emotional about the whole thing, so I didn't even think of that.. what are the odds that someone will have a place for it.. I heard that the keel is over 1500lbs of lead -- is that worth something?

 

[Ross]

Check over on the woodenboat forum. There is a bunch of builders in the pacific northwest that are always on the lookout for lead and other bits and pieces.

 

[Brian D]

Some local disposal sites will also take the boat away if it has a lead keel. Make sure you keel really is lead and not steel. There is a disposal site here is in the San Diego area that will take the boat away just for the lead in the keel.

Good luck.

 

[sailingdog]

Yes, lead is selling for about $.22 a pound... so the keel is worth about $300.

That's actually a good idea. I'm pretty emotional about the whole thing, so I didn't even think of that.. what are the odds that someone will have a place for it.. I heard that the keel is over 1500lbs of lead -- is that worth something?

 

[Andy1237]

Scubaboat Donation!. Find a scuba club that will remove the hull, clean it out and "legally" sink it as a dive site/fish habitat.

 

[MoonSailer]

Chain saw if all else fails a chainsaw can make quick work of a fiberglass boat. Even a skill saw will cut up most of a boat. I saw a marina worker cut up a couple of worthless boats. The pieces are then placed in a landfill. Breathing protection is essential!!!! Lead or cast iron the keel should be worth something. The aluminum mast is also worth money as scrap. Call a scrap yard they might want it !!!!

 

[Ross]

I'm sure I would have received different advice had I joined this site before I bought, but...

I have a 1974 San Juan 24. I've sailed it hard for 3 years, but now it has a rotten hull that can't be fixed- the keel is WOBBLY. How do I retire it? I don't have a lot of extra money, it is kept in a marina, but I will not scuttle it. Can I sell it for the lead hull? I am in Vancouver, Canada.

Gadfly, I am confused you have a fiberglass boat that you say has a rotten hull? The keel is wobbly and can't be fixed. Somehow I think that there is a person not far from you that would take the boat off your hands and make it whole again.

 

[Jalepeno]

Try contacting http://www.salts.ca/ and ask them if they are interested in a sailboat donation. Don't be too critical of your boat's condition. The SJ-24 is a very desireable day racing boat and even if they are not interested, they should be able to give you some advice.

 

[Rich (P303)]

Maybe... contact some local trade schools. Get the woodworking shop to handle the wood stuff... and the automotive shop to handle any fiberglass and engine work. Could be a great project for the kids (and keep them off the streets)!

 

[Nik]

Sailing Angel.... They take donation boats, Look for them on E-bay.....

 

[Fairwind]

Do you have craigslist in Canada? www.craigslist.com List it and it will be gone. Never fall in love with something that can't love you back..