Olson 34 called "Valhalla II" in San Pedro?

[Christian Williams]

All new cushions and upholstery, all new sails, engine doubts would give me grave pause.

But I did it all (my engine was fine), and would do it again. It makes the boat yours. And the number of candidates for sale is always limited.

Still, I would really really need to love the boat and not be able to find anything else that worked for me.

It helps to be retired. All that work and a job don't mix, unless the job will pay for the restoration.

 

[G Kiba]

Seems to me that the cost of bringing a boat back to life has risen so fast. Not to sound too morbid, but I believe the rate of aging out of sailing seems to be not to far behind it (myself included in single digit years if I'm lucky). I belong to a fairly large YC in the SF Bay Area where I have seen some really well maintained (some renowned) boats go for sale or are donated to the club for sale. If I was younger and looking, I would periodically ask around and look at what's available at yacht clubs. The boats may cost a little more but will still be a savings in the long run.

 

[Loren Beach]

Seems to me that the cost of bringing a boat back to life has risen so fast. Not to sound too morbid, but I believe the rate of aging out of sailing seems to be not to far behind it (myself included in single digit years if I'm lucky)

Probably material for starting a new thread... but I have to admit that putting approx 100K into our boat in 2021, after doing the new drive train in 2018 for 15K, seems very reasonable compared to a new equivalent boat for 300K +.

BUT.... we had been putting in labor in bringing it back to good condition, along with still sailing it and cruising it every summer, since 1994. As Sean has said here, it's a very satisfying lifestyle, but requires focus and time.
Having seen others spending a lot more time and money on restoring (and flying!) much older light aircraft, our particular form of "fun" seems quite reasonable. But then, we would say that!

As for aging out, ah yup. We likely have less than a decade of active boating left. (sigh)