Need suggestions for half-built boat

[gmarie]

My husband was in the middle of building a 25-foot wooden V-hull boat when he passed away two weeks ago. I am needing suggestions as to what to do with it. The hull is finished and he was working on framing the interior. He was working off his own design. I have pictures of most of the work in progress, and the plans he drew. This is the third large wooden boat he has built.

I don't know if it is worth trying to sell it, or what. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[PAR]

Very sorry for your lose, GMarie, was your husband a contributor here?

In your area there is a large wooden boat community, possibly several are familiar with his work. If you drop me an email (click on my icon) I can pass some pointers and addresses that may be of some assistance to you.

[gmarie]

Thank you. No, he wasn't a contributor here. I just found this site. He would have loved this forum. I'm sure he would have enjoyed exchanging information.

I tried clicking on your icon and it says you have no contact information listed. I may have missed something. Thank you for your help.

[lewisboats]

Off to the right it says "Send email to this member" Click on the link.

Steve
PS: Sorry for you loss also.

[Gilbert]

Hi gmarie,
Where abouts are you in Oregon? I am about a half mile from Westport, Oregon. Be glad to assist it you are anywhere close.

[gmarie]

I'm in the mid-Willamette Valley. Westport is near Astoria isn't it? I'm probably 2+ hours away, with Portland traffic factored in.

[jfblouin]

Do you have somes pictures that you can put on forum?

[artemis]

Originally Posted by gmarie

I'm in the mid-Willamette Valley. Westport is near Astoria isn't it? I'm probably 2+ hours away, with Portland traffic factored in.

There is a very active Messing About in Boats group in the SW Washington NW Oregon area. A good person to get in touch with is John Kohnen. His email is jkohnen@boat-links.com . He also has the website "The Mother of All Maritime Links", is deeply into wooden boats (having several of his own) and will, I'm sure, be able to help you.

[gmarie]

Thank you all so much for your help. Here are some pictures of the boat.

[Commuter Boats]

My sympathy for your loss. I too lost my husband halfway through the production of a 52' steel Roberts; in addition, we owned three other large boats and several smaller ones. My advice to you is to sell whatever you have while it still has value. Boats decay quickly without use or attention. While you want fair value, that's not the most important factor. Trust professional and reputable people; I'm sorry to say that friends don't often give the best advice. Even though I am a capable sailor in my own right, I found it near impossible to maintain and crew a boat. I did hold on to a 28' 1947 Herrshoff sloop for several years and had many enjoyable/memorable seasons on it. Finally, it became too much. My Roberts frames are being turned into a greenhouse with the help of my gentle, power boat building husband. Life will improve. Nameste.

[Bergalia]

Hi Gmarie.
First of all commiserations at the loss of your husband. Unfortunately no words, how ever well meant can replace the loss you have suffered. But to continue his work, to complete his boat - that is a practical 'memory' we would all wish for.
On transporting the craft to a new home, can I suggest you contact one of the many 'societies' which have an interet in this type of project. The International Lions Club, or Apex. They are two I know of that have members in both here in Australia and America. They'll be listed in the telephone book - or at your library. It is the type of work they excel in. No doubt a member will have contacts in the haulage business - or be able to recruit a suitable trailer as part of their brief to 'enrich' their community.
If the situation is explained to them - no doubt further help will come flooding in.
Again, Gmarie, I'm sure the thoughts of the forum members are with you, and good luck in this worthy task.

[gmarie]

Thanks, Bergalia, for your kind words. And thanks for your suggestion. What a great idea. Originally, my intent was to give the completed boat to the Heart Association to be auctioned off. Perhaps they have a contact or two. If not, I will try the organizations you mentioned, or others who regularly solicit contributions of vehicles and boats. We are building a website to keep everyone posted of our progress. I will post the address when it is ready. Thanks again for your suggestion.

[alan white]

Hello Gmarie,

If you contact WoodenBoat publications, they can advertise the boat. Seattle is also a good place to advertise, being the West Coast wooden boat capital.
I will not comment on how to make the most money on the boat. I don't know if you are strapped for money or simply trying to cope with too many things to do.
If you are interested in maximizing the return on the boat, just say so.


Best to you,


Alan

[dirtybeard]

try posting on portland.craigslist.org, and seattle.craigslist.org. The posting is free and the boating communities there are very active.

namaste.