free sail boat

finding41 · Apr 28, 2015

I wouldn't take it myself.
There are a lot of other boats out there that are in better shape for not much money. Some in OK shape for free.
I think the amount of work and $ you will need to put into the one you described is too much. The owner may just be looking for someone to take it off there hands so they don;t need to pay for disposal.
Check jaxed.com for the type of boat you want. (You want... Not the next free one.)
Once you have the boat you want pegged go to marinas and ask about what is or may be for sale. If the marina owns it because of unpaid storage fees it is usually worth it for them to get rid of it cheaply and cut there losses.

Here is a link to a video I did when I got our toy boat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ0QDSG4zaA
It was free. BUT! It took a lot of work to fix and make ready. $ too! ($130.... Let me qualify that #. I used to be a contractor and have a lot of tools and knowledge of how to fix things. I had most all of the stuff required already. Wood, spare cleats, old sails, etc. I spent about 6 hours power washing it alone. What's that worth at the coin car wash?)
After video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmw0E3ApM3g
I put it in the lake yesterday.
I'll let the other guys here tell you about the true costs of a free boat.
Good luck.

Joe · Apr 28, 2015

The biggest problem with "free" boats is not the obvious, cosmetic stuff.... no... it's the fact that they are usually missing major functional parts. At some time the previous owners realize the functional pieces from this non used boat were worth more than the boat itself... and started parting it out to others who were in the same predicament you may find yourself in....

If you can verify that all important gear is present then I would say.. go for it! You'll have a lot of fun cleaning and sanitizing, sanding and painting, reworking the wiring and plumbing, plus, becoming a regular at local and online chandleries. (no such thing as a free boat)

If you can't, or don't understand what I'm even talking about, then just be ready to spend an unreasonable amount of time and money trying to find fundamental replacements. I'm talking about: Mast, Sails, motor, trailer, centerboard/keel, rudder/steering system.... and hull integrity, including hatchboards, portlights(windows), hull/deck joint, chainplates and standing rigging (the wires).

It's a lot of stuff... anyone of those pieces are missing, add at least a thousand dollars to the cost of your FREE boat.

My recommendation is to go through the boat again, after reading a few books on purchasing used boats, and talking to someone whose opinion you value... and make sure you can locate all these important parts... if they're missing, ask the owner what he knows about them.... If really a mess, he should PAY YOU to remove it.... 'cause it's junk.

Mikem · Apr 28, 2015

Hmmm. I have heard that the most expensive boat one can own is a free boat.

centerline · Apr 28, 2015

Mikem said:
Hmmm. I have heard that the most expensive boat one can own is a free boat.

this is almost always the case. it costs a lot to get it in usable condition and it usually isnt worth very much after it swallows your bank account... but it can be a great learning experience as it can teach you some of the most important things about fixer upper boat

Apex · Apr 29, 2015

same deal with new boats. Adding in systems is costly, which don't come as standard equipment. Same goes for a free boat, how many major items are needed. Sails, engine, trailer etc....

for a small day sailer
sails: >1k
trailer: 4k
engine 2-3k

31seahorse · Apr 29, 2015

mark rocco said:
So i have a offer to get a free sail boat S2 24 ft need's work....so my question do i go a head and get the boat rebuild it and at the very least know much more about boats or do i take the money and put it towards a boat were i can start to enjoy her all thoughts and comments welcome
mark rocco

Hello Mark,

Believe the dollar figures mentioned above in posts. Remember too, the "small things" add up pretty quickly.

When you mention "learning" about boats you might do that by offering to help other owners (especially your friends who own a sailboat) at a boatyard, volunteer at a restoration project being done by a group like Sea Scouts or a museum. If you need to pay for help from professionals you should expect to pay $65 to $100 per hour for their skills. Not too much work gets accomplished in one hour! Any job you start yourself will surely take much longer than you think it should require.

"TINSTAAFL" or a free boat. Keep looking. Phil

Scott T-Bird · Apr 29, 2015

Is it an S2 7.3? If so, that is a mighty fine boat to get started with. Trouble is, the free price tag is a red flag. Look thru sailboat listings and you will find multiple examples of this boat priced from about $2,900 up to $10,000, with most in the 3 to 5 K range. The boats advertised appear to be in sail-away condition, if not even better. I'd bet that you could find an excellent starter boat for about 4 K that will not have you reaching for your checkbook after the purchase, except to buy supplies and items that are more for your own personal enjoyment rather than neglected maintenance and repair or replacement.

If the offer comes from a friend or family, then you may be getting a legitimate favor and a good deal. Otherwise, somebody needs to unload a piece of junk that can't be sold. In all likely hood, the repair costs (and physical effort) could far exceed the asking price of a good boat that you can sail happily as is.

In my experience, sailors tend to take care of their S2 boats because they are an excellent choice ... you can't go wrong if you look for one that is legitimately priced.

pateco · Apr 29, 2015

Mark,

I am about 8 months into a "FREE BOAT" restoration. I was lucky, and most of the major parts were there, and the engine ran. I can say I have spent more money than I expected, but I am still happy with our decision. The restoration is a fun, ongoing project with the whole family involved. I can tell you that once the boat is in sailing condition, the restoration slows way down. Do you want to work on the boat this weekend, or go sailing? is a weekly question around our house. You can check it out at the link below. Good luck however you decide

rgranger · Apr 29, 2015

mark rocco said:
So i have a offer to get a free sail boat S2 24 ft need's work electrical bottom needs to be sanded and painted need all new sheets life vests emergency equipment in side cabin never covered so water got in mildew main sail new engines new going to need a trailer as well to bring it back to were i live and I'm sure other things....so my question do i go a head and get the boat rebuild it and at the very least know much more about boats or do i take the money and put it towards a boat were i can start to enjoy her all thoughts and comments welcome
mark rocco

Whey you "buy" a used boat... you are actually buying the sails, motor and in your case the trailer. Those are the three most expensive components and if they are in good shape when you buy the boat, some elbow grease, sand paper and paint can usually do the rest. Your "free" boat will cost you $1500 in sails, $2000 for a motor and $2000 for a decent trailer... before you even start in with the sand paper. For $5500 you could buy a very nice sailboat with everything working and clean and well equipped -- ready to sail now --- on the trailer with sails and a motor.

RUN!

Johnb · Apr 29, 2015

In 1984 I did a major rebuild on a Clipper Marine 23. There was nothing major missing but almost everything needed cleaning, tightening, de rusting and re wiring. I did not have much money but could put sweat equity into it.

Being a simple boat on a trailer it was easy to work on. I re engined by unclamping the old Sears outboard and clamping on a Honda in it's place. A haul out could be had for $5 (paying the ramp fee).

It had its limitations, I regarded it as a lake and delta boat, but we had a huge amount of fun with that it for 15 years until we upgraded to our H 37C. In the same circumstances I would do the same again.

What nobody should expect is that you get back all you put in. By now the dock fees total 1.5 times what we paid for our HC37, and that is just one item of expenditure. What you do hope for is that the enrichment it brings to your life exceeds the cost.

Kermit · Apr 29, 2015

mark rocco said:
After reading all the responses i received i will be looking to buy a boat that is ready to sail...thank you very much for your input mark

Exactly what my First Mate and I have done. Twice. Sailing is fun.

free sail boat

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