Family heirloom Passport 42 - who can help me understand boat's condition and cost to repair?
Posted by Ivyveins@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 9 comments
Hello, I am in possession of a 1984 Passport 42 that my dad and I lived on when I was a child. I have lots of experience working on the water, but not with owning or maintaining boats myself.
It's been seriously neglected for about 10 years (6 years out of the water then 4 years back in) but from what I hear Passports are super solid boats and might be worth the effort to repair.
I want someone who really knows boats to inspect everything and tell me what needs immediate fixing re: structural integrity and preventing further deterioration, and whether it would be worth it to try to fix her vs sell. Would that be a surveyor? A mechanic?
Some details:
The new Kubota engine only has 100hrs on it but hasn't been turned over in 3 years.
The sails are new/unused since manufacture 10 years ago.
She has the original teak deck with screws. I understand this causes major issues but don't know how bad it is on mine. Interior leaks appear to be from hatches/portholes only, but there are a few isolated teak deck planks that move up and down when I press them. I'm very worried about this.
The bow pulpit was bonked into a piling 5 years ago and the screws were ripped out of their attachment to the deck. Those screw holes have been exposed to the elements for 4 years. I'm very worried about this.
The interior is beautiful.
The batteries are dead but when connected to shore power most things light up. Bilge pump, refrigerator, and a few other things don't, which I think is because they need the batteries?
Is a surveyor the right person to evaluate this? Who can I talk to?
MrSnowden@reddit
Marine surveyor is what you want. But they usually are in the business of finding every potential issue and the worst possible cost to protect perspective buyers. So you want a realistic view of must do should do could do.
Raneynickelfire@reddit
So it's a Yanmar...
Ivyveins@reddit (OP)
I don't understand what you mean by this, can you clarify?
macadamia808@reddit
Your boat is 40+ years old. If you are going to use the boat it needs a thorough inspection and likely an expensive refit. If you are not going to use the boat then mothball the systems or sell it
Ivyveins@reddit (OP)
That's why I made this post. Is a surveyor the best type of person to do an inspection in this situation or should I look for a different type of professional?
Secret-Temperature71@reddit
What you are asking for is a recommendation for a Marine Surveyor.
I suggest you try in or both if these web sites. You will need to name your location to get good answers.
Sailnet.com. A smaller forum more concentrated on the Eastern USA and Canada.
CruisersForum.com has worldwide reach but you may get more answers from unrelated areas.
There is also a UK forum.
thebemusedmuse@reddit
You could get a surveyor, or just a local expert. I wouldn't be too worried about a Kubota, only to service it before you start it. Almost certainly you need new batteries as well, but that's easy to test.
Ivyveins@reddit (OP)
Thank you! How do I evaluate hull integrity? Does it have to be hauled out? Is that something the surveyor would do?
I know that when it was hauled out 4 years ago they said thru hulls and everything looked great. The last time the bottom was cleaned was 1 year ago and he said everything looked good, in need of new paint but otherwise good.
I hear these passports are built like tanks but I'm concerned about rotting balsa deck, and deckplates (esp the bow pulpit ones that are fully ripped out) leaking water into the hull above the waterline. Is a surveyor the one to evaluate all that or is some other type of professional better?
light24bulbs@reddit
That doesn't sound that bad.
You should read the short book/manual "inspecting the aging sailboat". Available as an e-book, readable in a night. This will help you find other problems, which could be big or could be small.
A 42 foot boat essentially requires you be upper middle class or do everything yourself. Or both. Just warning you.
If I were you, I'd keep it and make it a major part of my life. But a boat like that will be at least 1/4 of your life. If that makes sense. 1/4 of your days, maybe money, effort.