project boat worth the time?

[wannalearn]

My wife and I would like to sail for several years on a livaboard.I realize that a through knowledge of a cruiser is imperitive so I have been looking for a boat that needs (not structural) repair work so I will be forced to become knowlegable while making the boat ready for extended cruising.
I have located a 37 Irwin CC that is basically what we want . The boat has had the interior removed and stored(engine also) for the last fifteen years.I realize there is a fair amount of work to reassembling but my concern is is it worth it or even a good idea

Any help and advice will be appreciated,Terry

[PAR]

They make a good boat, the resale values of the yacht should give you a good idea how the public views them.

Putting up the interior is a good thing for extended time on the hard. Putting them back together isn't a task I'd recommend for a beginner, though with help you can get it done, but it doesn't really help your needs actually.

To be successful at the "cruising" life takes experience. A little at a time and soon many hours of "helm" time accumulate. This time at sea helps you form the compromises you must for this type of life style. Before long you'll have very defined ideas, needs, likes and dislikes in each yacht, situation, task and duty performed.

This is an ongoing adaptation of your "perfect" yacht. With most serious cruisers, it boils down to having a boat custom designed for them, with much input by them to the designer. Others, make do with the boat they have and the modifications are quite endless.

It's usually wise to start small, and as you gain experience, move up in size, until you get to the point that "this" yacht has everything I want, desire and need. It would be a shame to put all the money and effort into the reoutfitting of this craft, just to find you can't afford, can't find the time, don't like or other wise bit of way more than you (or she) can chew.

One key factor in cruisers is the ability to solve problems, sometimes in a fashion that isn't typical or accepted. Thinking on the fly, the boat or your life may depend on it, is a common thread amongst this group. It's an important one. Engineering on the fly is another trait, I see a lot. I was sailing on a stiff blow off Miami in a 42' near half century old, ketch, some years ago. I had to head up from the comfort of the reach I was on to round a shoal and the beat wasn't pleasant, being wet and harsh. I heard some strange noises coming from the main mast, I scanned the stick, but saw nothing out of order. Then a loud crack, I looked up and could see the built up mast had a crack. I eased way off to take the strain off the rig and got out my harness. Apparently the mast had been repaired years before and a scarf joint was opening up, fast. I knew I was heading toward the shoal I wanted to miss so I got up the stick as fast as I could and drove 4" screws though a piece of 1 by stock that was keeping the motor oil off the shelf they were sitting on, into the wildly bending mast. I remember hanging on to the starboard upper shroud to pull the stick in line as best as I could before I drove the screws with a cordless drill. I did this while under way, swinging in the rigging from the spinnaker halyard. When back on deck I rounded up on the other tack and quickly reduced sail. This was possible because of some fine helmsmenship from my wife, whom had gotten pretty good over the years, calmly and coolly, she kept the pressure off that side of the stick, all the while my weight in the rig was tossing the balance of the boat everywhere. I was very proud of her.

Do the bare boat rental thing a few times, borrow a friends yacht, get some time (lots of time) on yachts of all types. You'll very quickly notice that you have favorites. Ask yourself and the other half why. Make lists of these things and patterns will show up. These will be the things you'll want in your 'Perfect" little cruiser. Then ask yourself, 'does this half taken apart boat have these things? Can I make it have these things? Now that I have this experience and knowledge, is this the boat or not . . .'


Good Luck,