I could use some help valuing a boat. The owner is asking too much, but doesn't want to tell me what they would take for it. They haven't had many bites, so they say price is negotiable if I can pick it up in August.
So, Im stuck in the "game" A value would be very helpful.
Here's the deal:
Late 1970's (not sure) Tornado FIBERGLASS. No Trailer Has soft spots on the hull where you sit. Apparently no other soft spots. Has Hobie cat wooden rudders (not original) Aluminum Mast. Has 2 mainsails, One Jib, And spinnaker (no spin pole, loose footed.)
It will cost me $150 to drive and pick it up.
I am attracted to the boat because I am pretty good at repairs and refurbishing, And I'd like to do an overhaul to make it beautiful again.
This looks like the boat posted on Craigslist for $1,500 in Maine. I also think this boat was one that I looked at in MA. If it is it went for @$300-400 from that owner. Personally, looking at the shape of the boat, rig, rudders, mast and cb's, it will take a lot of work to get it back into shape. I would value it at under $500. Good luck with it.
Have to agree with Tom - it looks like the mast has come down before. Is that a bent rotator arm at the bottom? The mast looks bent, too. LOTS of work. This boat needs a dedicated restorationist who doesn't care about money, or more permanent retirement.
John Williams
- The harder you practice, the luckier you get - Gary Player, pro golfer
After watching Lionel Messi play, I realize I need to sail harder.
I have had a similar boat. Every time we went out in a decent breeze we broke something. Everything from beams ripped out of the hull to delamination, deck and hull coming apart, ripped out forestay fittings, broken rudders and centerboards.. Fixing up an old Tornado is doable, but taking it apart and checking the inside is a good move in my opinion. Old Tornados are great movers, but they did have a reputation for beeing fragile back then.
There will be a lot of work to make that boat nice again. The question is always if you want to work on the boat or sail..
I have had a similar boat. Every time we went out in a decent breeze we broke something. Everything from beams ripped out of the hull to delamination, deck and hull coming apart, ripped out forestay fittings, broken rudders and centerboards.. Fixing up an old Tornado is doable, but taking it apart and checking the inside is a good move in my opinion. Old Tornados are great movers, but they did have a reputation for beeing fragile back then.
There will be a lot of work to make that boat nice again. The question is always if you want to work on the boat or sail..
Agreed and do you want to put more money into it than it will ever be worth?
I have previously rebuilt a 70's T that was in similar condition. I would NEVER do it again!
I subsequently built a new wood T from plans, and that was (and is) far easier (and possibly cheaper in the long term) than trying to get an old, soft, disintegrating boat right. If it was in the UK, that boat would be for scrap only - if you could find a buyer though, it'd be a rip-off at anything over a couple of hundred pounds. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
John Alani ___________ Stealth F16s GBR527 and GBR538
Re: Help Value a boat
[Re: Jalani]
#153193 08/23/0805:11 PM08/23/0805:11 PM
I looked at a damaged Sailcraft Tornado where the decks had come loose and walked away from it. I then built my own Tornado using 4mm marine plywood. It is as stiff today as it was when it was built. Again, I would look to pay under $500 for the boat but think that $200-$300 is far more likely for the boat. You will end up putting in $1500-$2500 to restore it at a minumum. I built my Tornado including purchasing mast, beams, rudders & heads and centerboards from Geoff Dobbs of Sailcraft of Canada for a total of $4873 finished. You could not build one for that today, but with the Olympics over, you will find boats and parts beginning to go on the market. Go to tornado.org and you will see some posted. There are 2 older T's for sale on thebeachcats.com for $2500 and $3200 right now including trailers. Both of these are much more modern and in relatively good shape considering their ages. Take a look at those before purchasing this one.
This boat is worth nothing. If you ask around enough you can find individual Tornado parts in better shape than anything you see here - for free. I'm not saying that you could assemble an entire boat for free from mixed parts, but you could get to a better starting point from which to throw away your money on a boat.
The seller of that boat should be paying you to haul it off.
If you really want to torture yourself, offer twice the value of the scrap aluminum in the beam and mast.
Re: Help Value a boat
[Re: chrisun]
#153195 08/24/0810:12 PM08/24/0810:12 PM
Thanks for the responses. Everything is pretty much right on par with what I was expecting.
Yes, windswept this is the T that was on the Maine Craigslist.
I enjoy fixing just as much as sailing, plus the winter will arrive at some point, so buying the boat will be a next-season splash.
That is, so long as the boat is refurbishable? I've included another picture of the sag on the other hull.
Although the boat does not have a trailer, a friend does have a cedar planked Tornado, and I can borrow his to pick it up/ move it around the neighborhood.
IT may be fixable, just do not pay anywhere near what is being asked. I again think this is the boat I looked at in MA in June. You would have 2 different hulls, one panthercraft and one sailcraft. Looking at the last picture though I am not sure anymore because I do not remember the decks being light blue. Nonetheless, this boat is in really tired shape for the money and look at the link that I showed you. If you decide to buy this, then good luck with the project. I can help you sort it out if needed. Do your self a favor and do not overpay for what will become an expensive project even if you paid $0 for it.
Can I grab your email? I'd like to forward the full set of pictures to you (it's not a huge file), and see if perhaps this is the boat you looked at. Any additional information would be very helpful.
I recognize the cost of refurbishing. Fortunately I work in the marine field, and I have the majority of parts and equipment to make the boat sound (including a vacuum bagging system, and tons of epoxy/fiberglass)
The "trim" stuff I can get at a good rate (such as blocks/ lines, etc) as I have a wholesaler account.
i'm far more interested in refurbishing to sail, rather than refurbishing to sell.
Besides, I think those Tornados on Beachcats are over-priced. I know he got a gift, but my nieghbor got his immaculate cedar planked T, with Aluminum Mast for $1,800
one thing that isn't clear... Are you an experienced cat sailor? those T's are very serious machines that are not for the "faint of heart". They get very powerful, very quick and are probably not ideal as a first, or even second catamaran...
If you are a seasoned cat sailor.. then its all good.. if you are not ... you may want to concider a different model to refurb... just my .02
Re: Help Value a boat
[Re: ]
#153203 08/25/0803:03 PM08/25/0803:03 PM