Possible source of low cost boats....

[vinegarj]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/01/business/01boats.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&th&emc=th

article above deals with the growing number of boats that are being abandoned due to the economic turndown.  i wonder if a person with a trailer or other transport abilities could contact "the authorities" in the areas where this is happening and cut some sort of a deal to relieve them of one of these boats.  would seem like a win-win.

[AdriftAtSea]

Unfortunately, many times, the bureaucratic part of getting the title to an abandoned boat takes so long that the boat will deteriorate past the point of salvaging many times before you can take ownership.  In many cases, these boats weren't in good shape to begin with, since the owner didn't have the means to maintain it properly.  Then, after it is abandoned, they are often stripped for parts by locals, and the interior is often left open to the weather...ruining the interior. 

It will often cost far more to re-furbish or re-fit one of these abandoned boats than it would to buy the same make and model of boat in good condition to begin with.  Free boats rarely are worth getting.  Cheap boats are often priced that way for a reason. YMMV

[tomwatt]

Hope I haven't started flogging a dead horse in resurrecting this topic which had settled to the bottom...
the option I chose (after following the same topic in several other areas) was dealing with a yard owner left with several boats sitting on the hard after the owners gave up on them. In my case, I picked up a Bristol Corsair 24 for the cost of winter storage, and am happy as a clam at high tide. But I came in after the yard had tried to auction these, and got no offers, so my timing was right.
Of course, now the work begins, but I think the boat is going to be well worth it... just the right size for solo-sailing, and big enough to keep me busy for a while on a budget.

[newt]

well done tom,  sounds like the way to pick up one of these babies, before the government steps in.

[ThistleCap]

There are a lot of unloved boats around.  You don't have to wait for them to become derelict, either.  If you see one that appeals to you that has been sitting, take the initiative and track down the owner.  Talk to the marina manager, as mentioned, but also just haunt the piers and storage yards and keep your ears open.  Contact insurance companies looking for outlets for their totaled boats.  Word of mouth alerted me to a 29-ft sloop that had just been sunk.  I contacted the insurance company and placed a bid on her while she was still sitting on the bottom of the bay.

Whether you adopt a boat or not is more than a mere dollar and cent decision.  For many of us, who would never sail if they had to come up with a fortune, getting a fixer-upper is a matter of necessity.  In this age of instant gratification, too many are reluctant to start on something that requires more than a coat of wax, but the nice thing about fiberglass is that almost any boat can be brought back.  A lot of sweat and less money can work wonders.  The 29-foot sloop was missing the bottom third of her keel and had twenty-six holes in her starboard side.  Surge action of waves in the boat had destroyed the cabinetry and torn loose every bulkhead.  In a year, I had a first-rate cruising boat that the surveyor said was in better condition than when new.  Just find the boat that appeals to you and roll up your sleeves.  

[ThistleCap]

Following any hurricane or nor'easter, there are hundreds of boats totaled.  When a boat is totaled, the insurance company gets the title and has full ownership, so getting a new title is no problem.  The history is clearly documented, so even getting it Coast Guard documented is as simple as one bought through a broker.  There are many companies that scoop these boats up for pennies after a storm, do cosmetic repairs, and ship them to Europe for sale, and put them back on the market here.
Insurance companies take bids on boats they total, so your chance of getting a boat to rebuild is as good as anyone else's. 

[tomwatt]

Thanks!
I have to say that I encourage anyone who is pondering a boat, but needing to get in 'cheap' (as was I), to poke about, talk to people, see what turns up.
The yard owner was not only very helpful to me, we talked about several different prospective boats and ending up with the Bristol really suits my needs and experience well. He even offered to come by and coach me on the work from time to time.
I think he mostly hated to see the boat go to waste!
This my first boat, at least as far as a real boat goes... although it cost less than my kayak (so far). Will it be my last boat? Who knows... time will tell. Of course, I have to learn to sail first. That's going to be interesting. Hope none of you has a boat down-reach (is that a word?) of me on my first solo.

[ThistleCap]

Tom, welcome aboard.
That would be downwind of you, in your lee, or to leeward of you (pronouned loo-ard), in which case you would want to be real careful, because we would have the right of way.  Reach is a point of sail (angle relative to the apparent wind).  The most important thing is having a great time while being safe, and you may find your path smoother if you take a sailing course or make the first few trips with someone willing to show you the ropes (a popular expression, but on a boat they are lines, except in a few special applications).  Start with Royce's Sailing Illustrated.  It's a great handy little book that has helped tens of thousands get started.  There are a lot of us sailors around.  What part of the country are you planning to sail in?
Jim

[tomwatt]

Tom, welcome aboard.
That would be downwind of you, in your lee, or to leeward of you (pronouned loo-ard), in which case you would want to be real careful, because we would have the right of way.  Reach is a point of sail (angle relative to the apparent wind).  The most important thing is having a great time while being safe, and you may find your path smoother if you take a sailing course or make the first few trips with someone willing to show you the ropes (a popular expression, but on a boat they are lines, except in a few special applications).  Start with Royce's Sailing Illustrated.  It's a great handy little book that has helped tens of thousands get started.  There are a lot of us sailors around.  What part of the country are you planning to sail in?
Jim

Out on travel, just found your reply... and yes, I'd have presumed I'd be careful regardless... just that things may be a bit wild my first trip out... there's 'right of way' and there's 'oh my gosh!'
Seriously though, I anticpate not going out without some grip on things. And I have an ex-Coast Guard buddy that I'm trying to enlist in the early stages of me afloat. He's already been good advice. I'm hopeful I can coax him into being more than advice.

[ThistleCap]

Dear Tom, Most organizations will start new classes right after the first of the year once the holidays are past.  My recommendation would be to avail yourself of one of those.  The basic courses are usually offered free with just a surcharge to cover the cost of printing materials.  They can also save you money on such texts as Chapman's Piloting, Seamanship, and Small Boat Handling.  Try this link---
http://www.usps.org/e_stuff/public_ed.htm
If you can't find anything near you (some squadrons forget to post their classes with National), send me a personal message with your address, and I'll contact National and located the closest group for you along with contact names and numbers.  These classes meet state requirements for licensing nationwide, and also usually qualify you for savings on insurance.  There is a short intro available on-line, and also an instructiional video and book, but I'd recommend getting into the classroom course.   There are a lot of options you can discuss with the local squadron's education officer.
Best wishes,
Jim

[tomwatt]

First of all, I have to apologize if I left the impression (and it certainly reads that way) that I was going to just sail out without a clue and endanger my fellows. I've been traveling and have to plead exhaustion, I guess. Plus, I'm finding navigating the forum not that easy (not a criticism, just that I can't find places I've posted previously easily).
Secondly, I have to thank you all for the helpful suggestions and information. I will be most studious in my efforts to learn, and will not be doing anything to endanger anyone's boat or people - myself included.
I have a couple of coats of paint to get onto the hull before it gets warm enough to think about getting it wet. But I know there are several boating orgs in my area (greater Boston) and don't expect to have any trouble getting both the practical sailing lessons and the textbook materials necessary for doing this right. And that's a great link you've provided there, Jim. I'll be signing up for a course I promise!
edit: I notice that my local (Merrimac) squadron is organized for both sail and power boats as well as kayakers. Excellent!

[Godot]

Don't be too worried about things, Tom.  Sailing really isn't that hard.  Grab any one of several good learn to sail books and read it a couple of times this winter.  Try to get a sailing buddy to go out with you the first couple of times.  I promise, the basics are easy to pick up.

Now, while sailing really isn't that hard, sailing WELL takes time and practice.  A class may help speed it along.

Or do what I do, figure it out on your own.  Of course, I can't claim the best technique.  Pretty much every time I go sailing on someone else' boat I figure out a new thing I was doing wrong.  ::)

Learn the basic rules of the road (if you aren't sure, just give way and figure it out later).  Learn basic terminology (it makes communication much easier when everyone speaks the same language).  Learn how to cleat off a line (I've seen some unusual methods).  And learn two or three basic knots (bowline, for certain, plus maybe a half hitch to start ... others will come soon enough).  That can easily be done on your own over the winter.

Oh, and don't worry, the boat is supposed to "tilt" (heel).  :)

[Captain Smollett]

Good post, Adam; some great advice/info there.

The only thing I might object to is this (at least from an academic point of view):

Learn the basic rules of the road (if you aren't sure, just give way and figure it out later).

The way the rules are written, if you are 'stand-on,' you are obligated to hold course and speed.  The reason is simple: so others know what you are doing/planning to do.  Practically, on a sailboat, giving way when you don't 'need' to may not matter much since our maneuvers are much slower than almost everything else on the water.

On the other hand, we are all obligated to avoid collision, so your comment is completely sound... ;)

[Godot]

I've learned a couple things regarding being the 'stand-on' vessel... if the other guy is bigger than you, he might not care.  If the other guy is drunker, he might not care.  If the other guy doesn't have a clue, he might not care.

As a rule when I 'give way' I try to make big, obvious (and, preferably, early) changes in the hopes of making my intentions known.  I would suggest that is generally a good policy to follow. 

And, if you aren't sure if you have the right of way, I think it is a safer choice to assume you are the give way vessel instead of the stand on vessel. 

[Captain Smollett]

Yep, I agree 100%; that's why I said

Practically, on a sailboat, giving way when you don't 'need' to may not matter much since our maneuvers are much slower than almost everything else on the water.

Except perhaps a sailboat race or EXTREMELY close quarters with power boats, WE can give way in a fashion that often does not violate the 'obligation to stand-on' in any practical, meaningful way.

(The 'may not matter much' in my earlier post was a confusing way for me to write 'may not lead to an TECHNICAL violation of the Rules' )

Should've just kept my 'academic' observation to myself, rather than muddying the discussion...sorry.

[tomwatt]

I appreciate the encouragement... anticipate that my sailing learning curve will be a mix of things both classroom, assisted and unassisted (I'm hoping to solo outside the traffic and breakwaters as soon as I have a good feel for things... figuring at worst my Bristol is an unlikely candidate for a knockdown reagardless, and at best, I may catch on and get the hang of it if I'm left to my own devices for a while.
I'm even keeping my eye open for a sextant... thinking it's a skill that would be handy to have (it stood Capt. Bligh in good stead in the south Pacific).

[Frank]

Don't beat yourself up to do everything right. Get out and have fun. The neat thing about sailing is you are always learning...no matter if year 1 or year 31. Best lessons learned are 'tiller in hand'.   Enjoy yourself.

[Godot]

Of all the things to worry about, a knock down probably shouldn't be far up your list.  From the reports I've read they are built like a tank to offshore standards.    

You probably aren't going to find yourself in a situation where the sextant will be handy for awhile, either.  Unless your planning on taking your corsair across an ocean or something?  Hey, provided it is in good shape, it's probably quite capable of it!  Although you might want to get a year or two of learning in first.  :)

Seriously, Sextants are cool as a voyaging backup to the ever present GPS, or for someone with romantic sense of nostalgia.  I've noticed that just messing around in the Chesapeake I've become lazy regards coastal navigation skills and often just defer to the GPS unit.  I think it perhaps takes something away from the trip and am considering spending some time sailing without it, just to get back to basics.

[tomwatt]

I've done a lot of land nav with GPS, and had quite a bit of time in the wilderness with and without GPS. I'm an okay navigator with the exception of sextant skills, which I really do want to learn. And yes, some ocean crossing (yes in my lil' Bristol) is on my mind. I don't expect to put it into the Pacific (I lived for a year in Hawai'i and I saw real waves - no way I'd want to be in a boat amidst that), but crossing to the USVI, or going north and crossing to Scotland appeals to me.
The short term refurb plans for my boat are just to bring it up to coastal cruising functional... with an eye towards a refit to real offshore cruising for one (well, maybe two if someone should decide to join me, although I don't much anticipate that).
And thanks, I won't beat myself up too much... 'right' as far as I'm concerned is 'did it work?' or not. If I can get things to work, that's good enough. I'll worry about style points when I have everything else covered (no offense intended to anyone who might be interested in style points - you're welcome to my share).