Are you into a project boat?

[jssailem]

It has been awhile since Andy of BaotworksToday has worked on a sailboat. This video just posted. It is for those sailors who look at one of those marina wrecks and says I bet she could be a good boat… again.

Here he has placed the boat is his nice warm shop and begins the process of gutting the boat. It will give you project minded sailors a little insight into boat construction of the 70’s.
Restoring A 1970 Westwind Paceship 24 ~ The Gutting

 

[JBP-PA]

Love Boatworks Today. I stopped watching much while he moved to Michigan and am happy to see he has another project boat.
Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Jkutyna]

In my case it was, oh there's just a little standing water inside. It hasn't gotten up to the level of the engine, and the diesel still rotates so it's just a big cleanup job. Yeaaaaaahhhhh.... 2 years later and I've realized that I didn't buy a boat to learn to sail, it's to learn to be a carpenter, diesel mechanic, electrician, seamstress, painter, structural engineer, interior designer, naval architect, rigger, and so forth.

 

[Jkutyna]

How bad can it be?

 

[jssailem]

it's to learn to be a carpenter, diesel mechanic, electrician, seamstress, painter, structural engineer, interior designer, naval architect, rigger, and so forth.

That is just the beginning. You need to be the Navigator, Captain, Boatswain, Helmsman, Plumber, Deckhand, Swabbie, Cook, Supply Officer, Bookkeeper, Financier, and playmate.

If you do not play with the boat she will get grumpy.

 

[RussC]

There must be something wrong with me. over the past 10-12 years I've owned 5 or 6 17'-25' sailboats that I refurbished. I think the most expensive one was around $3K and the cheapest was $800.00. I spent anywhere from 3-6 months getting everything right again and sailed each one for at least one full season before selling...... at a profit. now admittedly when I say "at a profit" that means my labor was basicly free, but I find getting an old neglected sailboat out of the weeds and back in the hands of someone who will love her again quite rewarding and it gives me something to keep my juices flowing over the winter months. a win-win.
I think the trick is to use your head and not your heart when choosing a boat to refurbish. some are just too far gone to bring back and you just have to let them go. pick a boat that YOU like, so it won't seem like a job, but it also has to have good bones to begin with.