Sunken Treasure

[Rick Webb]

It would be an excellent way to turn money into frustration and time into angst.

Were it to be a successful operation you would truly be looked at as some sort of a boat maintenance god, a real stud of epic proportion and the cock of the walk.

 

[Grumps]

I want to pose a crazy question:
What are your thoughts and/or experience with rebuilding a sunken sailboat? I am considering having one floated and rebuilding her. She’s been down about a year in freshwater. It is believed to have been an act of vandalism, not a hull issue. I am not certain what it is, but I’m leaning towards it being a 1977 Morgan 382. Engine wasn’t operable when she sank, which isn’t a problem for me as I was strongly considering an electric conversion anyway. I guess my biggest concern is with the hull and deck. I expect to replace everything on the interior and I’m not in a hurry to finish the project, more of a hobby. Thanks for any input you may have to offer.

Ok, update on the sunken treasure…

It is a 1987 Hunter Legend 37. Solid glass hull, cored deck.

 

[jssailem]

You feeling Lucky?

 

[Grumps]

You feeling Lucky?

Mostly bored

 

[Grumps]

You feeling Lucky?

I want to pose a crazy question:
What are your thoughts and/or experience with rebuilding a sunken sailboat? I am considering having one floated and rebuilding her. She’s been down about a year in freshwater. It is believed to have been an act of vandalism, not a hull issue. I am not certain what it is, but I’m leaning towards it being a 1977 Morgan 382. Engine wasn’t operable when she sank, which isn’t a problem for me as I was strongly considering an electric conversion anyway. I guess my biggest concern is with the hull and deck. I expect to replace everything on the interior and I’m not in a hurry to finish the project, more of a hobby. Thanks for any input you may have to offer.

Ok, update on the sunken treasure…

It is a 1987 Hunter Legend 37. Solid glass hull, cored deck.

…and it has new sails… Ha!

 

[shemandr]

Grumps, it would be remiss not to mention that even fiberglass can be degraded by immersion in water - especially fresh water. The osmotic gradient favors migration of water into the laminate where it then can degrade the resin and even the fibers. Yes fiberglass hulls sit in fresh water for years but they are protected by gel coat and/or a barrier coat. The interior fiberglass is rarely, if ever, so protected. So there is little assurance that the un-cored fiberglass will be sound.

 

[Grumps]

Grumps, it would be remiss not to mention that even fiberglass can be degraded by immersion in water - especially fresh water. The osmotic gradient favors migration of water into the laminate where it then can degrade the resin and even the fibers. Yes fiberglass hulls sit in fresh water for years but they are protected by gel coat and/or a barrier coat. The interior fiberglass is rarely, if ever, so protected. So there is little assurance that the un-cored fiberglass will be sound.

But it has new sails

 

[jssailem]

migration of water into the laminate where it then can degrade the resin

True fact.
But Grumps is bored. Confusion with such details, why? He might get lucky. Most of the boat could be fine. Just a little bit of degradation.

 

[JBP-PA]

But it has new sails

Fetch off the sails. If they are still good you can sell them.

 

[Grumps]

But it has new sails

Fetch off the sails. If they are still good you can sell them.

Kind of considering parting it out. Has salvageable hardware… mast, wenches, cleats, engine block, etc… would depend on the cost of acquisition.

 

[SteveHughessails]

If it arrived at my shop I wouldn’t turn it away.
That’s a large vessel.

 

[twodzusfittings]

Hey Grumps
salvageable hardware… wenches!
Talk about "Plenty of Fish in the Sea.......but really, they are not all salvageable!
Oh you mean winches.....or do you?

 

[Grumps]

Hey Grumps
salvageable hardware… wenches!
Talk about "Plenty of Fish in the Sea.......but really, they are not all salvageable!
Oh you mean winches.....or do you?

I’m thinking wenches…

 

[SailingLoto]

Just to put a finer point on it, I'd wager that you can buy a decent Morgan 382 for $20-25K. There is no way you could reconstruct this wreck for less than that.

Mark

One on ebay that sailable with a $5000 start bid. It's listed on yachtworld for 15k.

 

[azambella]

There is no way this is a GOOD DEAL. If you have time and money go for it but, the suggestions
brought forth by others of buying one (not under water) are by far the most sage advice.

A lesson we all learn the hard way, the highest cost you are looking at is your time...

 

[azambella]

How far down is this gem?

 

[azambella]

Sorry sent too soon,,, How far down is this gem? You could do the dive and check thing.
Pick a few points and look at them down there before going too far down the tunnel.

if 30' or under, a recreational diver can spend about 20 minutes on it looking it over....
Assuming its a safe dive.

 

[Foswick]

I am late to this thread, but I want to add another take on it.

First, I completely agree that there is no way this makes financial sense, if your goal is simply to have the boat to sail. I think, though, that this might miss some of the point. The first response should not have been an outright "No", but instead the follow-up questions:

• What do you want to get out of that project?
• What is your budget?
• What skills do you have?

Most of the time, the assumption is that the person just wants a cheap boat. But, there is a great deal of romance and satisfaction that comes with the idea of raising a boat from the sea floor and restoring her. For me, that would be entirely the point, with this project. If I just wanted a comparable boat for the lowest cost, there are better ways.

As others have pointed out, it is not a practical choice. But that does not make it an incorrect choice. A great deal in sailing and sailboat ownership is impractical and, for most of us, it involves a certain measure of sentimentality. I have a hard time relating to sailors who are entirely practical. For me, real life is full of practical decisions. Sailing has to involve a good portion of impractility, or it is no better than real life.

I can definitely see a situation whereby I raised a boat from the depths and restored her. But, for me, it would have to be a special boat. And, it comes with the eyes-wide-open understanding that it could well be cheaper and easier to completely build from scratch.

This makes me think about an airplane restoration of the B-17 "Aluminum Overcast" that I saw, years ago. A group of volunteers was restoring this plane from REALLY rough shape. Not the cheapest way to get a comparable plane, but that wasn't the point.

 

[SteveHughessails]

Updated needed @Grumps

Did you walk away or have you been busy?

 

[Grumps]

I am late to this thread, but I want to add another take on it.

First, I completely agree that there is no way this makes financial sense, if your goal is simply to have the boat to sail. I think, though, that this might miss some of the point. The first response should not have been an outright "No", but instead the follow-up questions:

• What do you want to get out of that project?
• What is your budget?
• What skills do you have?

Most of the time, the assumption is that the person just wants a cheap boat. But, there is a great deal of romance and satisfaction that comes with the idea of raising a boat from the sea floor and restoring her. For me, that would be entirely the point, with this project. If I just wanted a comparable boat for the lowest cost, there are better ways.

As others have pointed out, it is not a practical choice. But that does not make it an incorrect choice. A great deal in sailing and sailboat ownership is impractical and, for most of us, it involves a certain measure of sentimentality. I have a hard time relating to sailors who are entirely practical. For me, real life is full of practical decisions. Sailing has to involve a good portion of impractility, or it is no better than real life.

I can definitely see a situation whereby I raised a boat from the depths and restored her. But, for me, it would have to be a special boat. And, it comes with the eyes-wide-open understanding that it could well be cheaper and easier to completely build from scratch.

This makes me think about an airplane restoration of the B-17 "Aluminum Overcast" that I saw, years ago. A group of volunteers was restoring this plane from REALLY rough shape. Not the cheapest way to get a comparable plane, but that wasn't the point.

I agree with you. I have a 25 footer to sail around on, this would be something for me to restore and eventually sail. No real budget in mind and my skills are probably not as good as my willingness to try anything.