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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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I got a new boat

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/18/2007 : 22:58:39

Hi All, I still can't believe this, but I came across a free boat on the wooden boat forum and it looks like I'll have a boat come spring. All I have to do is motor it from New York city to Lake Huron. Here some pics.

1938 Motorsailor built by Ralph Wiley in Oxford MD. Purchased new in 1938 by my grandfather still in the family. Servicable twin Perkins 4-108 diesels, new in 1976. Hull sound 1.25" white cedar plank over oak frames. Interior original, but needs restoration. Currently afloat in Islip NY

Dennis
No Boat
S.E. Michigan

Edited by - on

saribella
Captain

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USA
286 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2007 : 23:29:51

Fantastic Dennis!!!! She looks like royalty.

Edited by - on

mhartong
Navigator

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USA
152 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 05:18:26

Sweet!

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 05:51:59

Cool!

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 06:17:32

Congratulations, she's a real beauty!

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 08:24:48

send us some interior shots too

I think this boat would look good with a pirate flag on it

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 08:41:22

Dennis -- Lovely boat! As you pass through Lake Erie (Assuming that's the chosen route) I hope that you make a stop in the Cleveland area for a tour. These really need to be preserved. I might be convinced to crew for a few days as you cross. Not much experience but I follow orders (reasonably) well.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5904 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 08:58:37

Wow! What a nice old motorsailer! From the photos, she appears to be well maintained, and, from the RC flag, it looks like she was used recently as a race committee boat. I've heard the trip from New York up the Hudson River and through the canal system is a really nice cruise.

Edited by - on

Gambit
Navigator

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USA
160 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 09:15:39

Very cool Dennis. You will have to let me know when you are coming through Rochester. There are some nice spots to stop for a drink, eat or overnight tie-up.

If the timing is right I would love to help you lock through the couple of area locks. I'll make sure you don't make a wrong turn on the Genesee River. That would take you out to Lake Ontario but you would not like the ride.

Looks like a fun boat and handy right near your office.

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 10:37:04

Hi All, I will post my travel plans here as soon as they are firm, probably two months from now, and I am looking forward to making a cruise of it. I talked to my cousin Tommy last night and he will be coming for sure. He spent 30 years being flown around the caribbean fixing boat diesels!!!

Here is the first note the guy sent me.

Horizon is still available and I am working with my Dad to get the boat a
good home. Our goal is for someone with the means and experience to take
the boat, restore her and use her. My parents are 70+ and no longer have
need for the boat and the significant burden of maintaining her. I am
concerned about her going to someone with more dreams than means. Any
prudent effort to deliver her off the Bay via sea will involve some
significant yard bills and many weeks of hard work. Transport by land would
be very expensive. I would hate to see her cut up for the bronze fittings,
engines etc.

Horizon is currently afloat at Cook's boatyard in Islip NY. She has not
been off the Great South Bay for many years. Use in the past few years
includes five mile day trips to Fire Island, race committee for local races,
but even this limited use has been sometimes unreliable with engine
overheating, air in fuel lines, steering failure etc...

In early February 2007 she opened a seam, the bilge pump failed and she
settled down 3 feet to the bottom, with water over the engines. She has
since been pumped out and floated again. The engines have not been run
since and there is a pump going periodically to keep her up. Diesels will
need some work to clean up and get running. Before leaving the Bay, at a
minimum she would need to be hauled, caulked, all through hull fittings
thoroughly checked, stuffing boxes checked, all systems, rudder and rudder
shaft checked, etc...

The interior is usable but certainly not pristine. There is some
significant dry rot in some of the mahogany toe rails and some around the
deck house. Wooden spars and rigging need to be checked and repaired.
Sails and sail covers are in reasonable shape.

Edited by - djn on 03/19/2007 11:10:24

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 12:45:39

Ah hah! I misread the original post... She's not in your family... I thought at first you were taking over an heirloom--a sacrifice I can understand.

A friend of mine is restoring a not-too-dissimilar wooden boat--he's a professional wooden boat builder, restorer, and marine power mechanic who has worked in yards in Maine, Rhode Island, Martha's Vineyard, etc. Dennis, I thought you were starting a new business! This thing is a monster project--even before you can make your journey. <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Any
prudent effort to deliver her off the Bay via sea will involve some
significant yard bills and many weeks of hard work.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Have you thought about (this might sound silly) getting a survey by a pro who's knowledgeable in wooden boats? I know you say this one is "free", but it could bury you in expenses later on--from the diesels and cooling systems to the keel, frame and planking, masts and rigging, steering system, etc. A few hundred now could be very enlightening, to say the least.

Don't get me wrong--she's a pretty old thing... (You can read that sentence two ways--both right.) But take a deep breath, get some objective information, and then check with yourself on whether you're ready for this.

Your friendly curmudgeon...

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 03/19/2007 13:09:05

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 12:50:00

Hi Dave, you are absolutly right. I am buy a business and this boat is just a hobby. I do have a yard at the new business and will make it a long term project. My cousin is flying up from Florida when I go to inspect it in a couple weeks. He is the diesle machanic and surveyer. Cheers.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 15:07:00

I, like Dave, thought this was your family heirloom. Remember what has been posted here before. A $10,000 boat is a $10,000 boat regardless of what you pay for it up front. From your second post, I'm thinking that will be the starting figure.

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 15:13:26

Yep John, it is a long term thing but one I can play with for years to come. Also, I have full intentions of picking up another C25 in a year or so as it will be years before Horizons will be done. I like rebuilding stuff, it is what I do instead of watching TV. Cheers.

Edited by - on

Alan Clark
Captain

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406 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 15:17:59

Dennis, Congrats on the "NEW" boat..Best wishes and Fair winds..

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5904 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 15:53:33

A fellow at my marina bought a Catalina 30 in Florida that had sunk. He cleaned up the diesel engine and got it running, and then sailed and motored it to the Chesapeake, where he's finishing the job in his spare time. If you haul the boat and caulk the seams and check out the prop shaft and steering gear while your cousin gets the diesels running, then you should be able to get it home, and end up with a nice boat without too much invested. Of course it's not good for an engine to be under water, but they can be brought back, and, if your cousin is a diesel mechanic, it should be a piece of cake for him.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 16:06:48

"Anything's gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there." - Capt Ron.

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 16:39:27

Amen Don. But that is part of the fun. Steve, That is what we are planning. For the first visit (by car) I will bring all my tools, then when we go to move the boat, I'll be working on everything else and Tommy with be bringing the diesles back to life. I have access to a "Bore Scope" which will allow us to look deep into the engine cycinders and lower end. Tommy told my of engines that had been submerged for a year that he brought back to life. Also when we get home, he will take then engines back to Florida and come back next summer with them both rebuilt. MAN O MAN. I'm getting geeked. Cheers.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 16:47:02

Old + Wooden + Boat = Prepare to spend lots of $$

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5904 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 19:23:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by djn
 Also when we get home, he will take then engines back to Florida and come back next summer with them both rebuilt. MAN O MAN. I'm getting geeked.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> You should be! The Perkins 4-108 is one of the best marine engines, and two of them, freshly rebuilt, will last a long time, and do a lot for the value of the boat. That seller was lucky to find you and your cousin. He wanted the boat restored, and not many people would have the know-how to get it done.

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