Restoring my 1978 33ft Hunter that Sank

[Daryl]

Project Boats

Restoring a Hinkley, Sabre, Tartan or a Hunter take the same amount of time and expense. After personally doing two vessel restorations I have some advice that not everyone here will agree with.If you ever take on a major restoration project you should start with the very best boat you can obtain. It would be very easy to have way more money invested in your Hunter than it is worth. (there is at least one Hunter of a similiar size with over $80k invested by the owner) Just like some vintage and classic automobiles, there are many for sale that as $30k invested, will sell for $10k or best offer. That ain't a good place to be

 

[Ross]

If you have a hull of the shape

you prefer, and if you can do the work that needs doing and if at the end of the day you have a boat that pleases you in every way, then what you spent was well spent. However if you are always disatisfied with what you have and always want something more or different or sexier or whatever, then save yourself an awful lot of work and buy something that pleases you for now. Because next year or the year after you will be looking at something else. Me? I keep cars for twenty years or more, I have lived in the same house since 1971, been married to the same wife since 1967. For me the familar is good, I improve, refine, maintain, and in general avoid change where I can.

 

[Herb Parsons]

Another Comment on Restoration

Fred said:"Now whether it was financially smart is another issue."and followed with:"Clearly, emotion and the desire to make my boat 'my way' played a Major role in the rebuild."This is one of the big issues that I see debated on boat restoration a lot. I'm hardly an expert (so I suspect in about 2 more years, I'll be pretty close), but here's what I've observed.If someone is restoring a boat in an effort to get back what they put into it, they probably shouldn't bother trying. Chances are slim.If they're doing it for any combination of enjoying the rebuild or desiring a boat built the way they wanted, then the actual expenditure to value of boat comparison doesn't apply. Face it folks, buying a boat is almost NEVER a "sound financial decision", especially a sailboat.When my O'Day is finished (and fortunatley it's getting close), I will probably have put 3-4k into it in actual costs, not counting the value of my labor. That, added to what I paid for it, means I would never get back what I put into it were I to sell it.But, I'll (likely) never sell it, because I would never get a boat like it. I would never get another boat where I can look at the interior and know that I built every bulkhead, I put in the cabinets, the hull ceiling is my design, and every layer of varnish was put on by me. What dollar value can I place on that? What dollar value can I place on telling my grandkids about "PeePaw's boat"?Also, comparing the value of a similar boat is also not a good comparison. I guarantee you, Fred's 35' Hunter is a better boat than a factory 35' Hunter, so you can't compare price.Now, Neil's situation is a little bit different, because he has little or no "emotional investment" in the boat. But, there is still something to be said about the pleasure in having a boat that you've restored. He bought a project boat when he bought it, it's just a bigger project now.

 

[Ross]

Herb, When you have finished

your work and have sailed the boat and asked your self, what, if anything, would I change? and you answer yourself, nothing, I like her just the way she is. You will have something that very few boat owners ever have. A boat that suits you perfectly. There is nothing more satisfying that that.Ross

 

[Neil - 1978 Hunter Cherubini]

Tampa Area - She is for sale now

Well, I recieved an offer for 6k. This tread tells the whole story, compete with pictures.If anyone is interested, please post or email directly. I have it listed on Craigslist now.