Dreamboat Or Derelict?

How to pick a fixer-upper that’s actually worth fixing up.

- Chip Lawson

It seems that every time I walk into a boatyard I inevitably find myself smitten by some under-loved (read derelict) classic beauty sitting forlornly off in a corner. Hmmm, I think, I could buy her for a song and with a little elbow grease and some TLC, she will be ready to go.

Of course, all too often such thoughts represent the kiss of death, the beginning of bankruptcy, and may even lead to divorce. Thankfully, I usually get over my infatuation as soon as I leave the yard. However, on four occasions I’ve succumbed to temptation and ended up buying one of these orphans in pursuit of “the deal of the century”—in theory, at least.

The first two were lemons, with one simply being cut up and hauled off to the trash after much effort. The third I was able to complete and actually sail, but only after a surprisingly large investment. For the fourth go-round I actually got it right, at least by my standards, by employing the painful lessons learned from the first three, so that I finally made a great “fixer-upper” purchase. I still have that boat, and expect it will be my last.

So what is the secret to buying that perfect fixer-upper? Two things: First, before talking to the owner or asking around the yard, or worse, pulling out your checkbook, do some serious research on the particular brand and model of boat that has caught your eye. Go onto the web and search for an owners’ association or some other owners. Ask them about their boats. How do they sail? What kinds of problems have they had? Are there any common or known defects or shortcomings?