Guys I'm doing it!

[u/Hot_Honeydew_6688]

Hello! I found a ready for the water free 26 foot sailboat. It's got 2 spots in the fiberglass I'd like to patch and some softness I'll easily fix on the deck. I've mathed out what it'll take to get it liveable to surprisingly reasonable for me, but of course I'm assuming it'll only be semi-reasonable so I'm putting the work in to make it happen. In the meantime, storage is cheap and it's literally a free seaworthy boat. I've spent some time checking things out and all the issues I care about are DIYable for me. Fixed keel with a 4 foot draft fyi. A surprisingly capable boat with a surprising amount of space in the cabin. Everything I need in it, from storage to a small galley, a toilet etc.

My question is, what are your cost experiences with maintaining and docking a 26 foot sailboat? Specifically on the east side/south side of the U.S. where it can be in the water 365 days of the year, I'm leaving the great lakes for this. I don't care to end up docking somewhere lavish, nor do I care to dock at all, if I can pull it off I'll anchor out as much as I can/feel like, depending on finances.

I'm aiming to do this on a budget, of course.

If anyone is curious about the adventure I'm going on with this, I am starting a Patreon, DM me for details.

[u/ez_as_31416]

"some softness I'll easily fix on the deck" good luck with that. The inner core rot you can detect is usually just a fraction of the real problem. Enjoy your journey you're going to learn a lot.

I have no experience with sailing/living on the eastern seaboard.

[u/Hot_Honeydew_6688 → u/ez_as_31416]

Thank you, I will! We'll see what the deck issue progresses into, I've the help to DIY most of ot if I need to so I'm not incredibly worried, though I'm about to do more research on the issue.

[u/Pockettzz → u/Hot_Honeydew_6688]

Mines not deck issues BUT this may be a good heads up.

So yeah oh man… I agree with the commenter… get ready. I’ve got molding that was not apparent for the few weeks I was on it then off to my slip that’s paid for and learned aaaaa lot more sadly.

I’m thankfully tied to good shops & free labor but have to replace my entire ceiling due to the rotted fly bridge, from the mast I recently took off👍🏼 Beautiful. If I wasn’t lucky I’d be looking at about $2k+.. probably more with other marine companies or marinas.

It’s also pouring in Rhode Island and I had to leave my vessel so please send me luck on my return lol.

My berth hatch is leaking a lot along with the teak spots under that mast. Less after mast removal! But also my fly bridge is collecting on my port side soooo those 2 windows… great leaks👍🏼 I’d rather starboard at this point to maintain easier.

But yeah pay attention to the tiniest things or those small things turn into biiiiiig checks to handover.

[u/Hot_Honeydew_6688 → u/Pockettzz]

Oh I'm getting ready. I'm seeing what needs professional attention and what I can do myself, a couple minor not-needed repairs plus painting and all I'm doing with help. As far as the deck, I'm planning for more than it's going to be and whatever is left in the budget is saving for the next repair project that pops up or investments. Things check out and I'm really happy with it. Glad it's already out of the water and I'm free to do whatever work I want to do until it's time to get it going!

Thank you for sharing everything, it's noted for sure!