If you were going to buy an old beat up sailboat cheap (relatively)?

Question

what problems would you look for? What kind of repairs can be made easily and cost effectively? What kind of problems would make you flee in the opposite direction not even bothering to pick up your ten foot pole?

Are those the good problems or the bad problems,Tall_Brian?

Answer 1

I would look for a spongy deck, especially around stanchions and hull fittings, where water has wicked into the core (bad). Signs of fatigue stress on the mast,and,chipped or cracked gelcoat. If the vessel is wooden, rotten wood, open seems, sagging or hogging keel. All this stuff is bad. In any case if the boat is old and beat, you will need new sails which are expensive, rigging, lines, maby stays and shrouds. Unless you like boat restoration buy one lightly used.

Answer 2

If the decks, hull or flooring is 'foam core', check for 'spongy-ness', that usually means the foam has absorbed water and its structural integrity has been compromised. Loose ballast/keel from being grounded hard. Look for corrosion on the standing rigging, especially where the wires meet the swagging.

If you do find one and 'fix it up', sail it in safe waters (near safe port with rescue close at hand) several times in strong winds before you venture out into open water alone. Better to have a rig failure with assistance at hand than all alone on the high seas.

Answer 3

Hire a professional surveyor to assess the condition of the vessel. It'll be a bit pricy, but could save you a ton of cash (not to mention your life) in the long run. They KNOW what to look for! Besides, you'll need a current survey to have the vessel insured anyway!

Answer 4

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Answer 5

check for leaks check the stern check the mast check for stress cracks in the hull if it has a motor check secondary propulsion operation

Answer 6

Leaks, rotting wood and non-running engine if so equiped.