Is this boat really NOT a project?

[keaveny]

In my first post I noted that I am vigorously looking for my first boat to learn to sail. I have looked at several and came across this Rebel. I am learning as I go here, but looking at this boat and the needs the owner says "could" be addressed I wonder if this boat is not more of a project than he leads on.

http://drop.io/rebelsailboat


Thoughts?

 

[Tim R.]

Rode hard and put away wet. Centerboard housing is definitely stressed from many years of hard sailing. I would walk unless you want to spend time fixing instead of sailing.

There are very few great deals on sailboats out there in spite of the economy. You will still generally get what you pay for. Buy the best boat you can if you want to save money and go sailing now.

 

[sailaway78]

Boat Projects

There are a couple of things I have learned over the years concerning boat projects. The first is on an initial inspection, you will probably only see half of what needs to be done. The time it takes to make repairs will be three times what you estimate. The cost to do same will be at least four times what you estimate. This from experience.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

The best thing you could do is find someone locally whom you trust and has some experience with boats to actually look it over thoroughly. As most sellers don't make a habit of taking pictures of the problem areas, making any comments based on 20 pictures is a crap shoot.

 

[Ross]

The seller is putting lipstick on a pig.

 

[Roger Long]

The first is on an initial inspection, you will probably only see half of what needs to be done.

You must have better eyes than I. My experience is that even a good surveyor will only see about half of what needs to be done.

 

[BobM]

I usually say that any small boat like this sells for about what the trailer, outboard and sails are worth. No outboard. Ripped sails, which otherwise seem in decent shape, but which the owner says need $100 of repair. Plus a leaking/weak centerboard trunk. $800 sounds about right to me. If he thinks it is worth more tell him to get the sails repaired and to reglass the centerboard trunk and then you'll talk. I am always amazed at the people who declare that a litany of repairs are easy and inexpensive, yet not so easy or inexpensive that they do them before they sell the boat!

 

[Nereussailor]

Guys,
Are you looking at the pictures of the same boat that I am? It's a 16ft boat for $800 with a trailer. We're not talking about a 30-40 ft boat with all kinds of systems here. Why would you even talk to a surveyor on something like this. I can see talking to a friend that knows boats. I'd look at the hull, look at the centerboard trunk, inside and out. look at the rigging, look at the halyards, look at the sails. is it all easily fixable? If you have the know how, the right books and forums, go for it. I didn't learn how to fix boats by paying someone to do it, I learned how to fix them by tearing them apart and doing it. I read every book I could find and asked questions on forums. Then I fixed what needed to be fixed. If you move up to a bigger boat, you will have to learn how to fix them too. They're all about the same, some have more and complicated systems, but hey, read some more, ask some more questions. That way when you get out somewhere and get in a jam, you can fix the problem and get home safely. Don't rely on someone to come get you and tow you in to a safe marina so you can pay $$$$ to have your boat fixed. Do it yourself and take pride in the fact that you can fix it.
The trailer is worth a couple hundred, so that leaves about $600 for the boat itself. I don't know about you, but I make that in a few days. I'd buy it, tear it apart, and fix it, just to say that I can do it. And I'd tell the person I'm selling it to next that I took it all apart, and fixed everything so it's safe.
You've got a whole winter ahead of you to fix her up. Learn how and do it and you'll be surprised at the outcome.

Dave

 

[cephius (Dave)]

A new 16' day sailor with trailer is $4,000.00 to $10,000.00. You could pay for professional help on the Rebel and still be way ahead. Or you could just sail it "as-is" and get your $800.00 worth.

This boat seems to meet all the criteria you posted in your other thread. Wear your life jackets and go sailing.

 

[Marcia]

I agree with Dave. If it were me, I'd probably buy it warts and all and spend the rest of this year reading and fixing. Come next spring you will be SO proud of your accomplishment!

I LOVE projects and from the looks of the pics and the owner's descriptions (assuming he's honest), it doesn't sound like a bad deal in the long run....but that is just my very humble opinion. The only thing that concerns me is the swing keel leak. That must be found and fixed. If you don't mind doing work on it, you will be rewarded with a pretty neat little boat that will give you years of sailing pleasure AND a wealth of fix-it knowledge. The sails look to be in pretty good shape and you can sew the holes if you have an average sewing maching with Sunbrella thread. The hull needs repainting, but you can do that for minimal cost. It comes with a trailer - more money saved.

One of the best books I ever bought was "Fix it and Sail" by Gilbert. I've read it cover to cover twice. It's very descriptive, even includes what and where he bought the supplies he used for the rehab.

Best wishes, now get going on your "new" boat! =) Let us know how it turns out. Be sure and take LOTS of before and after pics you can post next year.

 

[oldiesrocker2001]

I'v gotta agree with the last few posts. I'd buy it as is - the biggest issue is the centerboard trunk. You'll need some expertise on glassing for a friend to help, but most of the other systems may be OK to start out with. I'd buy it, take it for a shakedown sail on a nice day(not too breezy) and make a note of what looks to you to need changing right away-some of the lines look kind of old too, so take a close look at them too before your first sail. I did that with my 67 SailingStar(like an O'day)17 footer. While I put 100% more into the boat then the $600 I bought it for, I happily sailed it for 10 years and sold it for 800 while it was still one of the prettiest old boats on the lake. Spent twice as much as that on the V21 plus twice as much in mods before I was happy with her looks and performance. Have fun!

 

[Ross]

If you decide to buy this boat and make such repairs as she needs you will have the advantage of knowing every square inch of her inside and outside. Sone of the expenses that are rarely discussed is the tools and equipment needed to make these repairs, be also prepared for that. A new grinder, a special saw, power sanders, shop vac, personal safety gear. Don't skimp.

 

[MrBee]

Ok, what i'm see here is that the boat might be a good deal,,,, but you mention that this will be your FIRST boat and you want to learn to sail. I kinda think if it's your first boat but you know how to sail, buy it and fix it as you like. If you DON'T know how to sail then buy a boat that is pretty much ready to go. The last thing you need is to be fixing a boat you don't even know how to use..instead of using it.
If you tend to like projects and doing that kind of work, then by all means, give it a go, if your just learning about Sailing AND working on sailing boats... I suggest you learn to sail FIRST on a boat that's ready to sail, then if you find another boat you like better but it needs work, go for it.

Just some thoughts from the other side ....

Brian
Bee

 

[Marcia]

"If you decide to buy this boat and make such repairs as she needs you will have the advantage of knowing every square inch of her inside and outside. Sone of the expenses that are rarely discussed is the tools and equipment needed to make these repairs, be also prepared for that. A new grinder, a special saw, power sanders, shop vac, personal safety gear. Don't skimp"

Not to mention paint and lots of it, epoxy resin, appropriate hardener, thickening agents, sandpaper and plenty of it in all grits, paint brushes, more paint brushes, even more paint brushes, paint thinner, a plethoria of stainless steel screws, nuts and washers and a dollar jar.....for all the times you're going to swear and curse the day you bought it! That jar will pay you off when you start sailing though!

 

[Ross]

Marcia, You have been there too?

 

[jibes138]

Take a look at the gooseneck

The fitting on the end of the boom looks like it might be separating from the boom. Pictures don't show why but might be cause for concern. Again, not a huge problem but might need to be shorn up, wouldn't want to lose the boom.

 

[Dean5735]

I had one !!!

I had one exactly like this one and loved it!!!! Sure it was rough, pretty much just like this one in the photos, but she sailed great. They are a heavy wide boat and they are tougher than hell.
I had it for sail/sale for $800 too and then took $600 for it in the fall.
I did some small repairs over the years, but the centerboard housiing was a little loose, the wood in between the floor and the hull was rotted, but that didn't really matter as far as floating or sailiing goes.
Great seats and room for a few people and a cooler!!

Make them an offer and just get out there!!! You will love it.
Or just keep looking and sitting in the chair in the house.
Enjoy, Dean

 

[Dan H]

A new 16' day sailor with trailer is $4,000.00 to $10,000.00.

Really? Where?
Maybe 20 years ago.

 

[shemandr]

A 16' boat with a double spreader rig? I'd love to sail on this boat! At $800 with a trailer its good enough. Why don't you offer $500. My first boat was similar. I had no idea about sailboats but it had a big cockpit, a spinnaker launch tube and all the sail controls of a keelboat. I paid too much ($1,500) and learned to sail, learned to paint, learned how to re reeve a halyard, how to unstick the mast from the mud when I capsized, how to drag it up on a beach when it sank (Several times), how to do fibreglass work when Hurricane Bob filled it with water and the trailer roller punched through the bottom. I sold it a decade later for $600. I've never regretted buying that boat. Its like a marriage: Its going to change you and you don't even know how. You just have to be willing to take the journey. Don't overthink this!