Hi folks!
First post here, so hopefully this is in the right forum.
I very recently came across an abandoned sailboat while driving around which I soon came to learn is a 1970 O'Day Mariner 2+2. Long story short, I was put in touch with the son-in-law of the recently deceased property and boat owner who is currently out of state. This gentleman granted me permission to inspect the boat and, upon removing the tarp, I was mortified to find that the entire cockpit and cabin had completely flooded and is presently holding literal hundreds of gallons of water. I quickly covered up the boat and returned home, but something stuck with me... something kept calling me back to this classic hull... I made a return visit and confirmed my worst fears that the sails were left in the boat and were sitting in several inches of water; the tiller was also present but the rigging, mast, and boom (along with the trailer wheels) were all being stored in a garage. I retrieved the sails and took them home for a thorough inspection and found out that they were surprisingly in great shape, even though mice had made some minor holes in the main. Along with the main were a jib and what appears to be a storm jib, though I have yet to take measurements to confirm.
So here I am, thinking about this boat night and day: the interior is a total loss; all wooden elements have dissolved into paste; all of the cushions are now oversized Petri dishes; every locker is filled to the brim with debris and bits of positive flotation that the mice had gotten into; anything and everything electrical will have to be replaced. Despite this, the hull is in immaculate shape as is the topside and the sails, other than the main, really just need a good cleaning and are quite serviceable beyond that. The galvanized trailer is in mint condition and I'm sure the stored peripherals are in decent shape.
So, bottom line, I offered the gentleman $200 to more or less take it off his hands. I figured this was a fair price, considering, but he came back with a firm $500 ask. I'm at an impasse as I do not know much about these hulls (perhaps the O'Day forum would be another place to seek advice) and am wondering if there is any core in either the cockpit sole or in the cabin area that I should be concerned with. Naturally, I am unconcerned about the boat's ability to float since it is currently holding its weight in stagnant water!
Thanks in advance!
John
First post here, so hopefully this is in the right forum.
I very recently came across an abandoned sailboat while driving around which I soon came to learn is a 1970 O'Day Mariner 2+2. Long story short, I was put in touch with the son-in-law of the recently deceased property and boat owner who is currently out of state. This gentleman granted me permission to inspect the boat and, upon removing the tarp, I was mortified to find that the entire cockpit and cabin had completely flooded and is presently holding literal hundreds of gallons of water. I quickly covered up the boat and returned home, but something stuck with me... something kept calling me back to this classic hull... I made a return visit and confirmed my worst fears that the sails were left in the boat and were sitting in several inches of water; the tiller was also present but the rigging, mast, and boom (along with the trailer wheels) were all being stored in a garage. I retrieved the sails and took them home for a thorough inspection and found out that they were surprisingly in great shape, even though mice had made some minor holes in the main. Along with the main were a jib and what appears to be a storm jib, though I have yet to take measurements to confirm.
So here I am, thinking about this boat night and day: the interior is a total loss; all wooden elements have dissolved into paste; all of the cushions are now oversized Petri dishes; every locker is filled to the brim with debris and bits of positive flotation that the mice had gotten into; anything and everything electrical will have to be replaced. Despite this, the hull is in immaculate shape as is the topside and the sails, other than the main, really just need a good cleaning and are quite serviceable beyond that. The galvanized trailer is in mint condition and I'm sure the stored peripherals are in decent shape.
So, bottom line, I offered the gentleman $200 to more or less take it off his hands. I figured this was a fair price, considering, but he came back with a firm $500 ask. I'm at an impasse as I do not know much about these hulls (perhaps the O'Day forum would be another place to seek advice) and am wondering if there is any core in either the cockpit sole or in the cabin area that I should be concerned with. Naturally, I am unconcerned about the boat's ability to float since it is currently holding its weight in stagnant water!
Thanks in advance!
John