Is this a good deal? | TheaterFire

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mokunuimoo@reddit

It’s $free.99, right?

I’d take it for that

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

It could be! Been sitting there on state beach for over a week.

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RangeroftheIsle@reddit

Well I'm 3000 miles away, if you could hold on to it I could make my way over & sail it off.

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DIRTYDOGG-1@reddit

My dad always told me that free boat is almost always more expensive than a new boat .

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IanSan5653@reddit

I wouldn't. How much do you have budgeted to remove it from the beach?

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pirate_starbridge@reddit

Why did they put a wheel on a 27' boat... So unnecessary

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Illustrious-Elk-1305@reddit

Going by the photos, the boat doesn't look like a wreck, yet.

But being a bit more pessimistic, this is what eventually tends to happen (report from the UK)

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/22/mission-clear-rotting-boats-poisoning-cornwall-creeks-fibreglass-pollution

Stern warning: one man’s mission to clear the rotting boats poisoning Cornwall’s creeks

Unwanted vessels left to decay release fibreglass shards into the water, harming marine life. Steve Green – with his trusty van Cecil – is determined to clean things up

Green (and Cecil) are on a mission to rid the beautiful hidden creeks of Cornwall’s Helford and Fal rivers of 166 abandoned fibreglass yachts, which are leaking plastic and toxins into the predominantly marine waters. Marine biologists have likened the thousands of shards of fibreglass they have found embedded in the flesh of sea-creatures in areas with wrecks such as these to asbestos, a substance known to have a noxious effect on humans. ...

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ageofaquarius26@reddit

I mean I'd pass but I'm a little fussy.

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

Stop being a downer. I got them down to only $5k

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RangeroftheIsle@reddit

Still cheeper then an apartment in a major city.

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akraut@reddit

I bet they think they know what they have. 😉

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whistleridge@reddit

That’s how much they’re paying you to take it? Generous of you!

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Hypamania@reddit

It might be almost worth the seller paying the buyer 5k to take it

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RangeroftheIsle@reddit

At first I read that as 'little fuzzy'.

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Secret-Temperature71@reddit

The bigger question is what is the tidal rise here? If she can nearly stand up you have a chance of getting her off without much damage.

Make offer contingent upon successful refloat. The danger is she can't be got off easily and when you purchase her you end up liable forbremoval fees.

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frankwemissyou@reddit

Boston tidal range is typically 12 feet

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

I need an updated picture, but even the unusually high tide that had some minor flooding moved her but not out.

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thebemusedmuse@reddit

If I was near I’d help you get that out. Get an anchor in the water far out and put it on a line around a winch. Tighten it as the tide rises and pull the boat around. It’s a small boat, the weights involved aren’t extreme.

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mokunuimoo@reddit

Hang a weight off the top of the mast from a halyard, ideally a water bag, so she stays heeled over. she’ll float in less water

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

Oh interesting trick to file away for future-hopeful-never-need-to-use!

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Odd_Dig4551@reddit

If hanging a bag of water from the mast is too much, you do not want to own a boat. Just walk away and thank your wallet.

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

Your response lost me: I said I like the idea and hope to never have to use it, as in not be beached and need it to get out. As mentioned elsewhere, including the body, the whole post was mostly sarcastic about taking this boat.

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Odd_Dig4551@reddit

I did not mean to cause offense. And I could have probably framed it better. This boat will be a a project at best.....I was trying to dissuade you from such an endeavor (I'm 4 boats in).

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thebemusedmuse@reddit

Thanks - was meaning to add that.

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

Appreciate that! More of a gamble then I am willing to undertake if a dud, and do not need to add an expensive project to my plate right now

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thebemusedmuse@reddit

Come on! We want to live vicariously through you!

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

If this group funds it, you can!

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

So this is 95% sarcastic shitpost. But we just had a coastal flooding advisory due to higher than normal tides - she floated part way out from this but is still grounded. She has been sitting there for at least a week, and word is she has been floating around the harbor for a while...

The idea of taking her definitely crossed my mind, but I do not have the funds to take that gamble

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steelhead1971@reddit

😂

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I-Am-The-Jeffro@reddit

It's a better than good. It's a great deal for the PO that won't have to pay salvage on it.

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

"PO"?

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I-Am-The-Jeffro@reddit

"Previous Owner"

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dizzymiggy@reddit

As I kid I had dreams of finding a boat like this and sailing it. Rightful salvage!

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

I know! That is the part of me that dreamed of doing this, sailing off, circumnavigating the world, and coming back happy and tan and blissful

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dizzymiggy@reddit

My dream was a lot more depressing lol. Mostly just escaping from a rough situation. Being a kid is hard.

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Rubes2525@reddit

I've always wondered how salvage rights worked. I'd totally board it during high tide and try to kedge it if it means I get to claim dibs.

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Agent_Andy007@reddit

I cannot believe nobody saud this yet, but you cant park there

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

Someone filed a 311 for illegal parking. This is Southie, if we cannot slash your tires we will get you fined or towed!

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Raneynickelfire@reddit

Okay but is it actually damaged? I don't see anything hull-breaking in any of those pictures. Scraped up gelcoat yes but that can be fixed.

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

My concern would be internal hull damage, and then damage to the cabin from rain/open

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TheAVnerd@reddit

The officer in my boating license class last night said homeless folks were using it as a bathroom.

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

If I were them, I would have slept in it! What license?

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Whitegrongo@reddit

Dirty Mike and the boys at it again

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nerdycarguy18@reddit

As a halfway man, how bad is this? If it were a steel hull I wouldn’t think twice, but fiberglass, is it okay? Does it put extra stress on the hull?

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

Check out this comment thread above

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jawisi@reddit

BRO DID YOU PUT THE TLDR AT THE TOP? I MIGHT HAVE TO SEND U/SPEZ A FEW CLAMS TO REWARD YOU FOR DOING IT RIGHT.

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

I did try! I think it got overlooked by about half of the people's comments. My original body was truly just "What do you all think? Hull is clean… No haul out fees… /s". Will take the compliment!

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_in_space@reddit

Just add water...

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

Dehydrated boat.

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BlackStumpFarm@reddit

I’ve been in this situation with a C&C 29 after brand new twin 3/4” mooring lines chafed through overnight in a winter storm. There are no deck fittings on the C&C or a Catalina 27 that can withstand the forces necessary to tow off at high tide. My rescuer looped a heavy web strap around the rudder post where it exits the hull. (One of the photos shows some of the stainless steel rudder post between the top of the rudder and the hull - just enough space to position a webbing strap). My C&C was hauled off stern first after 24 hours on a gravel beach without a scrap of damage. The rescue boat was a 20’ inflatable with twin 90 horse outboards. The salvage fee was C$1,500, paid by my insurance.

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

Interesting! I am still concerned about damage, especially having read everything else here

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TehSloop@reddit

12th photo: ah, well, theres your problem!

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

Why I took it! I am thinking someone did that to "keep it" from drifting back off. But what do I know?

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Golywobblerer@reddit

Most expensive boat is a free one. Make sure they charge you a dollar.

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eotty@reddit

No.. the most expensive boat is a boat that should have been free.

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

Love this. This like kids saying infinity+1 beats infinity, but it is true!

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Golywobblerer@reddit

Touche

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Ixxtabb@reddit

Grab a shovel and dig a trench up to the keel. Wait for king tide and you got a boat.

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InquisitiveMind705@reddit

Everyone needs to tan their bottoms from time to time. Perfect time for a below the waterline inspection, replace the zincs and you’re good to go

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Rylee_Duhh@reddit

I mean if this was for sale and you could get it off that beach it'd actually probably be relatively easy to fix it up imo lol

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Electricturbo@reddit

Imagine beaching your boat.

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larfaltil@reddit

A great buy! Will never need anti-foul ever again.

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OldGaffer66@reddit

Love the anchor. That will keep it safe next high tide.

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whyrumalwaysgone@reddit

Odds are its fine. That looks a lot like an old Grampian 30, if so the hull is solid glass and heavy. The way the halyards are wrapped around the spreaders to stop them from clanging and seagull prevention in the rigging indicate someone has cared for this boat and possibly stayed aboard recently. No visible damage to rig or stanchions or rudder looks like a non-violent grounding, possibly tidal. Wouldn't be overly surprised if just drifted off a nearby mooring and beached at high tide.

I've sailed worse.

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despreshion@reddit

Not sure how well the current owner has been taking care of it based on the cinderblock anchor. Hopefully they didn't own it long enough to make too many decisions like that

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

I edited my post, but mostly a sarcastic shitpost... though the thought of sailing off with her has crossed my mind...

I do not know enough, but would the c-27 hull not be as robust? sad to see her in this shape

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whyrumalwaysgone@reddit

Most of the boats of that era were pretty tough, and if they have survived to present day even more so. C27 could be Cal 27 or Catalina 27, but the shape of the boat doesn't look right for that. Honestly you probably could float her and sail away - any chance the owners are just visiting the bar until the tide comes back in?

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

No bar there, never seen a sailboat in this area and rarely even a motorboat - MLW is 1' in parts although tide is 9-11', and she has been sitting there for a week or more now. We had a recent high tide that was enough to cause low laying flooding and it floated some out, but is still grounded.

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Irreverent_Alligator@reddit

It is 100% a Catalina, I can tell because the hull plate is just like my Catalina 30 and I can at least make out “talina Yachts”

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Fire5hark@reddit

Yeah, Catalina 27 is a fun little boat. Curious how close the water gets at a high tide. If it surrounds the boat or even touches the edge, you can easily yank it off that beach with a motor boat. Looks 70s era so the fiberglass is nice and thick. I’d take it. Find the owner and strike a deal. Tow boat US would make quick work of that, but unless you have a policy it’s $100/foot of waterline and $300/hour of their time to and from the boat being towed. Heck, with a big enough anchor and line you could winch the thing off the beach.

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Switch-in-MD@reddit

Policy had to be in effect 24 hours at time of incident.

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Redfish680@reddit

You’re definitely going to save money on the haul out cost of the survey.

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Ornery_Definition_26@reddit

I couldn’t Imagine

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LiquidDreamtime@reddit

That free boat is gonna cost you a lot

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_Nej_@reddit

'A boat is a hole on the water you throw money into'

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bigDeltaVenergy@reddit

Well this one will require money before reaching wayer

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_Nej_@reddit

Even better! XD

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Extreme-Mood5605@reddit

No such thing as a free boat!

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Mehfisto666@reddit

Doesn't look bad at first sight tbh

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WeAreOnTheFire@reddit

It is not smiling. Unhappy little boat. Catalina without a smile is a rare find.

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Naive_Adeptness6895@reddit

Its worth it just for that anchor!

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Arthur-Dent7x6@reddit

Is the beach included?

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LizardTentacle@reddit

“You can’t park there!”

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freshboss4200@reddit

How much are you getting paid to remove it?

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richbiatches@reddit

Could be a hidden gem, could be a total disaster. The only thing certain is its a pig in a poke. Are you a rich gambler?

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

Nope. But I did learn a cool new phrase today so thanks! Had to look up pig in a poke

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KreativeKreature@reddit

It would be nice to ask the seller for a sea worthiness certificate which would also reduce your insurance payments and give you some peace of mind as well.

You cannot buy something sitting on a beach not even knowing if it floats or has any issues .

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Ausierob@reddit

ext marine rescue, somethings I came to know about beached boats. - steal hulls have proven to be very resilient, wood and fibre glass lest so, some times much less so. - The strain back through standing rigging, keel, ruder, etc, through hours of getting bounced on the ground are “potentially” difficult to detect, repair, and therefore potentially dangerous. 1 case, 2 years after a beaching, a boats keel snapped off, instant capsized, 3 suffered dangerous exposure from >4 hours in the water, luckily they had vests on, the 4th died, below when it went. EPIRB was on the boat, phones didn’t work or failed etc. so no way to raise an alarm. Only when a wife got concerned, raised the alarm. No direct link to the beaching but suspected. - if you have to use a marine recovery service, the costs can be errr.. shocking.
- that boat needs to be anchored out in the water to stop it moving up the beach.

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

#2 is a very good and scary and interesting point. It makes total sense, but not something I would have thought of. I do not sail beyond harbor (and ideally up/down coast) but the 4th below deck is a sobering tale

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Optimistic-Stacy@reddit

I love the brink in the sand anchor!

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Extreme-Mood5605@reddit

That’s probably why it’s now on the beach.

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

I liked that one too!

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Bluesme01@reddit

$5K as is washed up in a beach? You can do better. There was damage done getting there and damage done getting it off. Sails are done, engine who knows the list goes on. If insuranced it would be totaled and a salvage boat. There are a few washed up boats this weekend on the east coast. Nice Pic's

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Both-Activity6432@reddit (OP)

This was a sarcasm shitpost. While I want a boat, I have no place for it nor funds to get it in shape (much less this one in shape). It has been sitting on this beach for over a week now

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Afitz93@reddit

Grab some snacks at Sullivans and get cruising