free boat as a way to learn
Posted by padkiins@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 40 comments
classic free sailboat post lol. i boat now and grew up on the water, but don't sail. the last year or so has been full of me learning all i can to hopefully have a decent liveaboard one day. i've halfheartedly been scouting local marketplaces to keep an eye on what pops up, but i'm well aware of the financial and time commitment it'd take so its been placed under future plans since the idea popped up.
i noticed a free boat on my road recently, seems to be in pretty rough shape (FREE painted on the side rough), so i know taking it in is self-inflicted torture in most ways, but i am curious. storage isn't a concern, and while i doubt this thing is close to seaworthy, does anyone think it'd be worth it to take on as a way to familiarize myself and explore a bit? i learn hands-on, so even if it never becomes a proper project, i feel like i'd get something out of it.
now if so, what should i look for when i check it out?
Dr_Ramekins_MD@reddit
I'd avoid a free boat unless you're really sure of what you're getting into and know you have the skills.
There are plenty of cheap boats out there that people are actively still using and are at least in a semi-acceptable state of repair. Something that's been on the hard for years without use? Or, worse, in the water for just as long with no maintenance? It's going to be a lesson in fiberglass repair and boat systems maintenance more than it will be in sailing.
Where are you located? If you're anywhere near decent water, there tend to be at least one or two sailing clubs around.
u399566@reddit
There is no such thing like a free boat.
DV_Rocks@reddit
Are you a DIYer? Is the boat fiberglass?
I may be in the minority, but it's a great way to learn repairs. The boat cost you nothing, so you can do anything to it to make it worse. You don't want to make your first mistakes on an expensive new boat.
Since it's your first boat, you'll have a greater appetite to do work most of us would rather not do.
Prepare your wife though. She's about to be a boat widow. Mine calls my boat "the mistress", because I'm always on her š
padkiins@reddit (OP)
thatās what i was thinking, even if not to learn to sail i think it couldnāt hurt to have something to explore and experiment on since its free. thereās no rush to make her perfect since iām not paying for storage and can return to it or leave it be as i please. the wife has had time to prepare. we will see if she handles it as well as she thinks she can š
DV_Rocks@reddit
What kind of boat is it? Brand/size/year? Walk to the transom and see if the serial (like a VIN) is there, and if so, post it here.
Wintercat76@reddit
Not a waste. I got a free boat that came with the slip, and while it needs work after 15+ years on the hard, below a tree, it's been dry inside.
Needed a thorough cleaning, a new outboard, a couple of hours of wood working and paint, but is now ready to sail.
So far took me two weekends and 2500 USD. The rest that I need is just cosmetics.
whyrumalwaysgone@reddit
Just because a free boat is never a good idea doesn't mean many of us haven't accepted one. Go for it, you will learn a ton.
If you can sort out secure inexpensive storage, that's great, especially if you have a partner or spouse who is less enthusiastic. Likewise maybe have a disposal plan as well if it doesn't go well.
padkiins@reddit (OP)
i've got land to store and work on it, so i don't have to worry about paying for storage until/unless this thing can float. that's the main thing pushing me towards really considering it--worst case scenario, i have to find a way to dispose of it, but its still no huge inconvenience if it tanks since i could just set it aside!
TangoLimaGolf@reddit
Is it on a decent trailer? If so does it have the mast? If either one of those is a no then absolutely donāt take it.
padkiins@reddit (OP)
yes to both
TangoLimaGolf@reddit
I mean if itās moveable easily and you have the space Iād say give it the old college try. If anything you have a canvas to learn fiberglass repair, rigging, etc..
padkiins@reddit (OP)
thatās what i was thinking but it seems the general consensus is itād be a waste š i figured if i do plan on a liveaboard later iād much rather learn the ins and outs of repair and maintenance on something thereās no real loss in.
Snoo74600@reddit
No such thing as a free boat or a free puppy.
Nephroidofdoom@reddit
If what you want to learn is boat maintenance and restoration, then by all means go for it. If you would rather spend your free time learning how to sail, you are going to be far better off looking for a local yacht club or boat share program.
padkiins@reddit (OP)
i have a desire to indulge in both š i tend to bounce back and forth between projects/goals so i was thinking about keeping it as something to come and go back to.
Nephroidofdoom@reddit
I hear you. Iām writing this as I contemplate cutting out the rotting core under my chain plates which will likely delay my launch by at least a week.
Still thereās nothing like then feeling of a job well done.
My only suggestion is that you make it your choice how deep you want to go. Jumping into a āfreeā boat my be biting off more than you want to chew right now.
I would say go sail first, make sure you like it, and then if it strikes your fancy, find a fixer upper in your budget that needs the work youāre interested in doing.
There will always be more āfreeā boats so donāt worry about missing out on this one.
LordGothington@reddit
Depends on what you want to learn. If you want to learn to sail? No. If you want to learn to fix up a busted old boat, perhaps.
kdjfsk@reddit
No.
it makes as much sense as taking a "free" car to learn to drive. If its good enough to learn to drive (or sail) it wouldnt be free.
Join a sailing club with a fleet of dinghys or harbor 20s, or join a racing yacht crew. Taking asa-101 is a good step toward getting on a (beer can) race boat.
DemandNo3158@reddit
In my opinion, learning in a small, unballasted dinghy teachs the fastest for the leastest. Move up to a hot dinghy before a keel boat. Assuming you have protected water. One of the best things in the world is to competently sail your own boat! Good luck š
padkiins@reddit (OP)
thank you! :)
Dameon_@reddit
If you spend all your time and money fixing a boat (potentially hundreds of hours for a "deal" like this), how do you expect to learn anything about sailing?
If you want to learn but don't want to invest a lot, buy a small dinghy and tool around on it. It'll run you maybe $1000, and you'll learn more in your time sailing it around than you would spending hundreds of hours fixing a project.
daysailor70@reddit
If you want to learn to sail, find a friend or join a club. Getting a free boat and getting it to the point you can sail means your never going to get to sail. One man's trash is another man's treasure doesn't apply here. If the boat is so bad he painted free in the side, it's a junker.
space_ape_x@reddit
The best, most fun and safest way to learn is to join a club. Youāll learn, make new friends and develop solid drinking technique.
padkiins@reddit (OP)
i certainly plan to poke around the yacht club near me, i was just curious if having something to tinker with and get my hands on in addition would be beneficial at all.
cakedayy@reddit
I actually joined my local sailing club in Sacramento CA ā it was like $180 for the whole year and then free access to the clubās fleet of Lido 14ās, Lasers, Sunfish, FJs, etc. i learned how to sail monohulls this way (Iām a Hobie 16 owner)
space_ape_x@reddit
I understand the appeal but renting will give you more sailing time and less stress
padkiins@reddit (OP)
thanks for the advice š«”
diekthx-@reddit
With a free boat youāll certainly ālearnā but maybe more like āhe gon lurnāā¦
we-otta-be@reddit
Just get a cheap dinghy or a hobie cat. If storage isnāt a problem this option will be cheap for you and you can get in the water tomorrow.
Pattern_Is_Movement@reddit
free boats usually cost more to get seaworthy than cheaper boats for sale.
If you want to get experience, join a local yacht club and sail with them.
ncbluetj@reddit
As the first surveyor I ever hired told me "son, if someone gave you this boat, you should give it back" This was for a boat that I was hoping to pay good money for!
You need to ask yourself whether you are interested in restoring boats or sailing them. Can't do both at the same time. There are enough decent sailboats out there for cheap/free that you shouldn't take a piece of junk just to get one. Look around and find something decent. Your future self will thank you.
inselchen@reddit
I mean youāre gonna sink time money and nerves into it and what can you realistically get out. Learning how to hold a grinder or mix epoxy? Why? Iād direct my time and energy towards crewing on boats, getting sailing experience, and saving money for a usable boat.
padkiins@reddit (OP)
thats why i came to ask others' opinions š i have a boat of my own that i take out, but it isnt a sailboat. i plan to explore the sailing community around me regardless, since its impossible to learn everything on my own, but i have no real experience with maintenance and stuff. time and money, yeah, but i'm by no means stressing over it. i don't have to pay for storage and it would be something to do, why not?
inselchen@reddit
Sure. Iām not quite sure I understand what your question is though.
padkiins@reddit (OP)
i'm just curious if anyone thinks it/having something to tinker with (since its free) would be helpful. i'm not sure how to explain im sorry š like having a spare watch to take apart and put back together or poke around in. i wouldn't base all of my education on it, just something in addition
inselchen@reddit
Yeah I suppose it depends on the individual haha, if you enjoy this sort of tinkering by all means go for it. Whether you actually gain a lot of useful skills, no offense Iām not sure.
CleverTrash10266@reddit
Newbie: My buddy gave me a boat!
Old Grizzled Guy: He ain't your buddy. He hates you. His wife probably hates you more and told him to do it.
Last_Cod_998@reddit
Shhh, if you keep bad mouthing the horse you'll never sell it.
Gone2SeaOnACat@reddit
really depends on what the boat is, condition, etc.
Free wooden boat? Ruuuun!
Free 50' fullkeel that's been sitting collecting water for 30 years and the engine is a mass of rust? Nooope!
Smallish boat (16-24') with decent sails, running motor or outboard mount and has been kept reasonably dry? Could be a good chance to learn without breaking the bank.
CH1974@reddit
It's someone else's garbage that expensive to get rid of....don't be their exit liquidity! There is plenty to learn on a boat that's sailable and good to go. Never ending maintenance and at least you get to enjoy your efforts instead of seeing them turn to dust in the yard like the last guy did.