Is it worth saving?

TLW · Jan 27, 2013

The "wall" between the v-berth at saloon is the main bulkhead and it is very definitely a structural piece. It can be REPLACED, but NOT Eliminated. Lots of work here. All depends on the price and if you have the tools, facilities, skill, time,to tackle the job.

soldier1964 · Jan 28, 2013

looks like a major strip out to be sure there is no signs of black mold. like TLW said, its alot of work.given the time and effort and the all mighty dollar, could be a sweet boat.

Ron-Anne · Jan 28, 2013

Best have something else to sail for a while, wonder what shape the core is in???

Jackdaw · Jan 28, 2013

The First 29 has a solid hull, so that will be OK. The deck is cored but Beneteau as a practice uses solid areas where they drill thru the deck. So it it rare for a Beneteau to get wet deck, even with a substantial leak. But in general they rarely leak, and that was a bad one. So I would be interested in where the water is coming in and why. Solve that first.

The bulkheads might be shot, you'll have to look into that. Good news is that they do not support the rig.... the rod rigging shown in your pix connects the chainplates to the hull.

Typical for this era french boat the head liner has failed. It all has to come down. A messy but doable job. Keep the old pieces for patterns. Most replace it with sailrite hull blanket. Getting the old glue off is the big job.

captjd · Jan 28, 2013

I just completed repairs on a 27 that were similar to yours. You can bet there are core problems in the decking. Your main bulkhead is going to cost a lot to repair and I suggest getting an expert on this part. As for cost of the boat? You should expect to pay less for the boat than the repairs. Therefore, it should come at a very big discount. If you can't do many of the repairs yourself I wouldn't even go there.

bobbyfingers2001 · Jan 28, 2013

First off, you need to expand on the boat you are looking at:

Are you getting it for FREE? or are you paying any significant amount for it.

What is your main objective and planned use for it? Total restoration, day sailor, club racer.

What skills and resources do you have, do you have a (free) place to work on it, do you have the equipment and help available, and at what cost.

What is your timeline like, are you able to work full time to get this done, or is this a long-term project.

Does this boat hold some significance to you?

-------------------------------------------

Here is the ideal situation for what I am looking at:
1) Got the boat for free.
2) I have a yard and all the tools and resources available at little or no cost.
3) I have another boat to use during the repair project.
4) I am planning to use this as a gutted out race hull

If anything else then buy a different boat, as you most likely will never finish the project and will just be throwing away a lot of money and wasting a lot of time that could have been spent actually sailing.

IMHO

Union36 · Jan 28, 2013

Nope..

Sometimes "free" is just not a good idea.....

rgranger · Jan 28, 2013

Do you enjoy working on old boats? I do ... but I've been told I have an illness.

If you are having fun... (sailing or fixing or some of both) then it is worth it. If you are only doing it "to save money" then it is a bad idea.

2 cents

BobM · Jan 28, 2013

Beyond that...

....there is not a lot of info readily available on the sailing characteristics of the First 29, but buying a finicky racer as your first boat may be a bad idea. I know that some First series boats didn't have a very balanced helm, which may be rough for a rookie. My last boat was a pain for the opposite reason. It was NOT responsive and for a rookie it was tough sometimes. The broad keel of the L25 made tacking in light or heavy chop a chore.

Personally I think I'd rather replace a bulkhead than one of those crappy headliners. I hate those things. I had one in my last boat and they suck. If you get the boat, pull it down and paint.

At least the mast isn't deck stepped, so the bulkhead isn't holding it up.

waternwaves · Jan 28, 2013

I concur

that boat is a walkaway.

If the boat came free, and you had a free location to work on it, and you already had machine/woodshop, and already have another boat, and already are single and under 25, and already have your sailright sewing machine,

then it makes sense. Otherwise There are way too many other boats in better shape.

800 hours from now, when you are 35K into it you will wish for a different boat.

.... Seriously, most would only take that boat under the above conditions.

BobT · Jan 28, 2013

That looks to be a wet and rotten boat. Add up a few of the required material$: marine plywood for bulkheads, headliner material, epoxy, glass and gel coat repairs for the wet deck work. A completely new electrical system. Tools you don't have yet. 1000 hours of your time. All new upholstery. Then go to the used boat sites and search boats for the same cost. You should find something that will require considerably less work and be more durable. Don't worry, you'll still get to work on it enough to make it your own.

Ludwig Schweinfurth IV · Jan 28, 2013

All I have to add to all that good advice is that if you do tackle the job don't fool around. On jobs like that I have wasted more time tearing it out bit by bit in an effort to save parts than than on any other task. Look and plan carefully and drill some holes if you have to, but once you decide what to take out get it all out and do your grinding and vacuuming first. That way you will not have to be doing any demolition while you measure and make your templates. Good luck!

wthomascompton · Jan 28, 2013

If you are getting it for free and if you have space next to your shop to park the boat and if you have at least a decent table saw, jointer, planer and saber saw, it certainly is do-able. Just make sure that the boat sails to your satisfaction before you start. It is no fun finishing a project and finding out it is not useful to you.

I am retired and own the tools and had the space and finished an ODay 22 in one summer. I had to get a new mast in addition to replacing every piece of wood. Not terribly exhausting.

It cost me $1000 give or take for plywood and parts and 6 months of 20 hour to 80 hour weeks. The boat sails decently enough on the inland lake where I trailer it. Wouldn't consider it a decent boat for ocean use the way it is, but is sure is pretty and meets my needs.

Good luck, Tom in Indiana

psych54 · Jan 28, 2013

Doesn't seem like a complicated issue. All you have to do is ask yourself, "do I want to sail or do I want to restore?" Good luck with whatever you decide

boatertwo · Jan 28, 2013

I agree with rgranger. I suffer from the same illness...but I also have more than 20 years of boat repair/maint. under my belt. I purchased a San Juan 23 and trailer for $500.00 had to remove /renew bulkheads, fittings, rigging..the list goes on. I made sure the hull was in sound shape too. I was able to control costs.. not necessarily keep them down in all areas..because of my repair knowledge.
The bulkhead is definitely structural. Just make sure you support the overhead with 2x4, 1x6, etc. after removing the old bulkhead.
Repair costs may exceed value, depending on how well you control them. But then it is a "labor of love"....

Good luck!

Dennis
New Bern, NC

captcoho · Jan 28, 2013

Amen to WaternWaves ........

Go For It · Jan 28, 2013

Lots of work

Rubato said:
Am looking at a first29 that has had water leaking into it for a few years.
Generally I think anything is worth saving, but the value when finished may underscore the costs involved. I'm sure the sails will need to at least be reconditioned. All lines are shot. Diesel should run, turns over easy by hand. One stanchion is broken leaving a small hole in the deck. All the cushions should be reupholstered. And the pics show the obvious damage.

Is the wall between the v berth and salon a structural piece or can it be removed without causing a failure of the cabin top?

Any ideas on value now and costs involved to return her to former glory?

Thanks for your helpful suggestions in advance.

Several years ago I refurbished a 1974 C&C 35. It was a big project. Took three years. At the time it was the only way I could get into a bigger boat. Unless you have lots of time on your hands, the know how, the tools and patient family members I suggest you pass. There are enough used boats on the market that will take considerably less work and you can start enjoying them this spring. Life is too short. Based on your pics I estimate a $15 to $20 K job.

joelbus · Jan 28, 2013

Boats and women

Boats are like women. If you don't love them, they won't love you back and they will make your life miserable. I think this boat hasn't been loved for a long time. Walk away or don't it's, of course, up to you. It's not weather it's worth saving, but is it worth loving it? :cry:

lowerfredrick · Jan 28, 2013

Run. Consider yourself luckier than a whole slew of folks who thought something like this would be a good idea. Including me. I wish I had bought something 'done' even if it had cost me 5 times what I've spent so far. At least I'd be sailing.

Is it worth saving?

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