Before I start I do realise that this is a question with so many variables there is no way to truly answer it but I am sure that some here will have an opinion or at least be willing to have a stab at the answer.

I was having a chat with the Mrs on the weekend as we sat on the boat after a sail. The old girl (the boat NOT the Mrs) is now 30 years post launch and in need of some TLC. Trouble is (as you would all be aware) attending to one issue usually reveals 3 new problems that need fixing so we were wondering about stripping her out and starting from scratch with a full refit. But how much wold this cost (hence the piece of string)?

The yacht is a 30 year old Swanson 32. We are just talking about the interior here and whilst there may be bits of the existing fit out that could be retained I think these would be insignificant and it would be simpler in the long run to start with a clean slate rather than trying to marry old with new.

So what is your best guess for how much such a project would cost? I could probably manage the strip out but don't really have the time and certainly don't have the skill to complete the refit myself.

If we decide to go down this path I'll come back and let you know who got closest to the final figure

Take a look at the Swanson 32s for sale currently, and think about the value after you have done a re-fit. A restore might be a better option. IMHO changing the original design can even result in a loss in value.

It will cost as much as your allowed to spend, not a cent more.

Matt
do you like the layout?
most Swanson 32 have plywood fitouts with teak ply face panels glued on with teak trim and laminex etc
So if you like the layout the refit should not be that expensive,but it will depend on how much your budget is?
Just keep in mind,there isn't a lot of ways to reconfigure a Swanson 32 as such.
Been there !
cheers Jb

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jbear said..
Matt
do you like the layout?
most Swanson 32 have plywood fitouts with teak ply face panels glued on with teak trim and laminex etc
So if you like the layout the refit should not be that expensive,but it will depend on how much your budget is?
Just keep in mind,there isn't a lot of ways to reconfigure a Swanson 32 as such.
Been there !
cheers Jb

Yes the layout is fine though if starting over I might opt to make a few small changes.

The current fit out is as you describe - plywood with teak face panels. The issue has been some moisture ingress has delaminated the teak (possibly also into the ply). I have often wondered if it was possible to remove the teak and replace with something?

Matt, I'm pretty sure in the past I've seen fancy faced ply for sale at Mr Wood and Ply but I think they've kicked
the bucket because Bunnings took over their niche. So give Bunnings a call and see if stock teak faced ply.
You could also get hardwood ply for cabin sides, dunno if you still can.

As you see my icon, Swanson 32, wooden deck,
short cabin 32 Swanson , not 36 cabin.
wouldn't put extra cent in.

Factory fit outs in Swanson 32's are very rare. I don't have the figures now but more than half the hulls were built from the hired moulds. A fair precentage were also finished by home builders from factory built hulls. The costs involved to refit a stripped out hull if you have to pay someone would be astronomical. It would be more practical and economic to sell your boat and buy one of the many superbly fitted out vessels for sale.

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Ramona said..
Factory fit outs in Swanson 32's are very rare. I don't have the figures now but more than half the hulls were built from the hired moulds. A fair precentage were also finished by home builders from factory built hulls. The costs involved to refit a stripped out hull if you have to pay someone would be astronomical. It would be more practical and economic to sell your boat and buy one of the many superbly fitted out vessels for sale.

spot on !! I recon if you payed someone to do that job, you would spend upwards of 150 k and when 3/4 finished you would still own a 40 k boat

The piece of string is as long as how much you love that yacht or how deep your pockets are.

Refitting a yacht often costs more than what you paid for it.

If your estimate is X it can quite easily become XXXX which is the beer we drink up here.

So what is your best guess for how much such a project would cost?

$30,000
Lift out and storage on the hard for at least 3 months.
Ply, epoxy and glass.
Tools.
Sink and galley gear.
Laminex for counters and chart table. Adhesive.
Wiring and switchboard.
Upholstery.
Flooring .Hinges. screws. LED lights , internal fittings
That piece of string could very easily turn into a noose.

Check out Mads at Sail life to get an idea of how things blow out.


Gary

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Ramona said..
Factory fit outs in Swanson 32's are very rare. I don't have the figures now but more than half the hulls were built from the hired moulds. A fair precentage were also finished by home builders from factory built hulls. The costs involved to refit a stripped out hull if you have to pay someone would be astronomical. It would be more practical and economic to sell your boat and buy one of the many superbly fitted out vessels for sale.

Yes Ramona that fits with the history of our yacht. I'm not sure if it was a hired mould job or a factory mould but she originally came from somebody's front yard who had lost interest in completing the fit out. The job was finished off (the 1st guy really hadn't done anything) by a shipwright on the Central Coast before moving it to Lake Macquarie.

This is' Jia ' our Swanson 32 with a 36 coachouse and cockpit . One of those amateurs built 1977
Jb