Hi Everyone, hope you're all well.

I live in Sydney and am looking to purchase a cheap boat to sail here with another New Zealand friend. We are both Qualified Coastal Skippers and have sailed quite a bit before and are looking to buy our first boat. We have been looking around and have been recommended a HOOD as a good beginners boat. We would look to sail here on Sydney harbour in fun races and also look to stay over in one of the bays here or even occasionally sail up to the Pittwater if the weather allows.

The boat which we have been offered is very cheap and I am trying to get my head around if this boat is worth the time and effort to restore. The Hood that we have been offered is currently being used as a mooring minder since April. The boat before that was well used until the keel fell off and the boat sank. I have been told that this is not uncommon with the HOOD range.

At $500 to buy a boat without a keel, is this a steal or am I being sold a lemon. Where can I get this fixed? I have contacted NOAKES in Sydney.. and also don't mind giving the boat some good old fashioned TLC.

Also, moorings seem to be quite an issue too.. I've contacted the councils but this also seem to take quite a long time to come about..

I'd love some further information, advice if you have any to help out a couple of newbee sailors here in Sydney..

Cheers
Chris and Mark

Also below is the advert with the information..

A Hood 20 sailing yacht which needs work, so being sold at a giveaway price. With some TLC could become a very comfortable little cruiser. Equivalent yachts are being sold for more than $3,000. Currently occupying a mooring in Watsons Bay. Sails and rig in good serviceable condition, but she currently has no keel. However she is floating comfortably in Watsons Bay and is not leaking.
The owner is keen to have her removed and will negotiate on price.

Cheap boats are usually cheap for a reason.

Hoods are a great design, however they are getting long in the tooth now. The decks are a plywood sandwich and most will have lots of water in the plywood which provides saggy decks. This is tricky to repair.

There are probably more options for your intended use around 24 foot.

Make sure you have your boat storage sorted before you buy. Moorings are the cheapest wet berth option, however it is getting increasingly difficult to get insurance on an older yacht on a mooring. Insurance is needed to get the boat hauled out for antifouling etc in most places.

Trailer sailers are another option, but you need the right vehicle for towing and the time to get sailing each time is longer and more complicated.

For me, a secure keel is a must have, so this Hood would not be on my shortlist.

Think about Triton 24s, maybe endeavour 24s etc that may give you some improved overnight options. The Duffor is a nice boat, but will be quick = tippy for beginners.

Regarding the bit of rubbish you asked about ........ Run far ..... Run fast.

at this price you need to be able to fix everything yourself. If you need to ask who can fix the keel then this is not the boat for you. I suspect any shipwrights would charge more to replace a keel than what it would cost to buy a good hood 20 if there are any still left.

About 2 years ago a guy on a hood20 made the local paper here. It took him something like about 3 days (can't remember the exact details) to get from port stephens to newcastle. There was no wind and he was eventually towed into port.

Find out all about Top Hats at

www.tophatyachts.com

Don't buy the hood. It will annoy you greatly. I know These things.

Buy the best you can afford, not the worst.

Select to expand quote

Bundeenaboy said..
Buy the best you can afford, not the worst.

agree

Avoid like the plague......

Select to expand quote

brizzydave said..
Don't buy the hood. It will annoy you greatly. I know These things.

You just bought that boat so you had an excuse to drink Brizzy Dave Got you worked out you banana bender

I used to help build them at Spit Bridge Marina they are a good boat for a weekender and club sailing on twilights etc.
With a bit of work they come up fine and buy the way Keels fall off due to people not doing maintenance on boats.
You don't need all the Certificates of Ocean Masters Day Skippers and the rest of the bull that goes on these days just have a go learn off others and most important have a bit of Fun.

I sailed for 35 years on other peoples boats till I bought a Folkboat for $7,000 and sold it for $15,000 but I spent about $12,000 fixing it and lived on it for 6 years. What ever boat you buy make sure you have a good sound boat that is seaworthy or you will be broke in no time.

Good Luck

Select to expand quote

HG02 said...

brizzydave said..
Don't buy the hood. It will annoy you greatly. I know These things.

You just bought that boat so you had an excuse to drink Brizzy Dave Got you worked out you banana bender

It's a long story. But yep!!....you are 100percent right lol. It cost 800 dollars. 800 dollars too much. Spent thousands on it. And easily three hundred hours. Beauty is in the eye. So that makes me a very sad individual. :-) . It's an old boat etc ....but its the headroom. The headroom gets to you after a while. I'd slap Warrick hood if I could.

Select to expand quote

brizzydave said..

HG02 said...

brizzydave said..
Don't buy the hood. It will annoy you greatly. I know These things.

You just bought that boat so you had an excuse to drink Brizzy Dave Got you worked out you banana bender

It's a long story. But yep!!....you are 100percent right lol. It cost 800 dollars. 800 dollars too much. Spent thousands on it. And easily three hundred hours. Beauty is in the eye. So that makes me a very sad individual. :-) . It's an old boat etc ....but its the headroom. The headroom gets to you after a while. I'd slap Warrick hood if I could.

She does look nice though Brissy

Aww..ta mate. :-)

Select to expand quote

brizzydave said..
Aww..ta mate. :-)