Cautionary tale on eBay

[AlanD]

There's a lesson to be learned somewhere between the lines of this listing for a partially completed Bruce Roberts Spray 40.

To quote from the listing:

"The builder/owner started building her twenty years ago... He was to use this boat for himself as he was planning on sailing her around the world. He is now in his seventies and has given up on his dream. The last ten years have not been very productive for him as he has not made much progress.

"The boat is land locked as it is behind the original owners home in Manchester, New Hampshire. He used to move the boats out the back and down the hill to the rear street but someone has built a new home there now and the only way to get her out is with a very large crane."

See the full story here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Spray-40-Bruce-Roberts-Mahogany-Wood-HULL-ONLY_W0QQitemZ4616276434QQcategoryZ63731QQrdZ1Q QcmdZViewItem

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

I know of a few boats like this. A good friend of mine, who sadly died by his own hand 15 years ago, was helping his dad build a steel double ended ketch of 30 some feet in their backyard. The boat eventually got in the water, but Mr Edwards is really too old to use her now. :(

[Bob Smalser]

Depends on whether finishing it or working on it is more important. For some the process, not the end, is the real joy.

[ken.bryant]

Hmm. A cautionary note for me, certainly (starting to build at age 60). I, too, have a friend now in his late seventies, who's built a beautiful thirty-footer, over a period of twenty years, and as far as I can tell the boat's never going to get wet.

As I build the Gartside 12-foot rowboat (my "practise boat") and pore over other Gartside plans, I think I realistically need to limit my ambitions to something like his 20 foot Itchen Ferry.

Mind, at the moment I kayak in surf, roll the boat often just for the fun of it, make 10-day open coast trips, etc. Sixty doesn't feel, physically, a whole lot different than 40. But obviously there are limits...

[Ken Hutchins]

This is always a lingering thought, but I'm enjoying building my boat, I intend to live until at least 100 so I will have time to enjoy sailing when the boat is launched. But I also know that I am going to live until I die, and I intend to enjoy every minute of life doing things I enjoy be it building something like a boat, sailing, rebuilding antique cars, hunting, fishing, walking in the woods and all the other things that make live enjoyable. Keep active is the best way to enjoy life.

[Ken Hutchins]

I'm within about 15 miles of that boat, hmmm, no I don't need another. It does sound like the seller has done the proper work to find the best way to handle the move. I can't help but think there are other ways to get it out of where it is. The cost of the move will be close to what the hull is really worth. :(

[Norske3]

Leave it....make a nice flower planter. :(

[Bruce Taylor]

Ah, that boat. There's a thread about it, over on boatdesign.net. The fellow who ran the ad had been considered narrowing her beam by cutting her in half and removing a long strip out of the middle!

http://boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=10537

[Hughman]

Originally posted by Ken Hutchins:
I am going to live until I die, and I intend to enjoy every minute of life .Yup.

I just planted 2-300 white oak seeds. When they get to be a century or so, I'm gonna cut em all and build me a schooner for my old age.

[ken.bryant]

Be sure to shade them so they grow slowly, with tight grain. Probably adds a century to the project, but so what? You'll find other stuff to do in the meantime...

[Katherine]

I guess it's a good thing I started relatively young.

[Norske3]

Whats "relatively"? smile.gif

[Katherine]

28

[willmarsh3]

I fixed up the ebay link with tinyurl since it is too large for the ubb code so I could look at it
ebay link (http://tinyurl.com/m6vzj)

They say they will get pictures of the actual boat up this week.

Will.

[Bob Cleek]

I loved that boatbuilding site. The best post of all was the guy who called Bruce Roberts "the greatest boat designer of all time." :rolleyes: Bruce Robert... the face that (almost) launched a thousand dreams.

[seo]

This listing looks like a kind of half-scam that's becoming increasingly common on E-bay. The "owner" (who is the owner, anyway? It certainly doesn't sound like the guy who built it.) won't allow a bidder to inspect the vessel, but will procure a "Licensed" marine surveyor. There aint no such thing, by the way. Even an ABS or Lloyds surveyor is not "licensed." The buyer will pay $750 to the seller for some services not clearly outlined, and uncertain additional fees.
If the seller wants the boat out of his back yard, it makes sense for him to hire a crane and have it set on a Brownell trailer and taken to a boatyard. Then sell it there, without all the double talk.
seo

[Lew Barrett]

Ken,
The following is not an exaggeration. While reading your post, I was thinking; "Poor guy...he's 60! I hope I never get that old." Then I realized with a shock, I had my 60th last November. We're just getting started! ( except for my lower back which feels it a bit these days)
Lew

Originally posted by ken.bryant:
Hmm. A cautionary note for me, certainly (starting to build at age 60)....

[ 03-01-2006, 10:03 PM: Message edited by: Lew Barrett ]

[Ken Hutchins]

I started building TALLY HO II when I was 55 :D and will be close to 65 when it's finished. :rolleyes:

[Garrett Lowell]

Originally posted by AlanD:
There's a lesson to be learned somewhere between the lines of this listing for a partially completed Bruce Roberts Spray 40.

The lesson is: Tomorrow is promised to no man. Time brooks no delays. Make hay while the sun shines. Etc., etc.

[Ken Hutchins]

I just looked at the photos of 'the actual boat' and the other boat being lifted by the crane from the same builders place. Hmmm, me thinks I'm not seeing the same place, and the add states the boat was under cover and heated during construction??? The last photo shows a boat inside a building, but I doubt it's the same boat, no evidence of a building in any of the other photos.

[Lew Barrett]

I started restoring Rita when I was 48, and along with some other events, it "grew" me to 59 in double time, but I hope to hang in at 60 for quite a while Should have quite growing up when I was 29 though..... :D
Lew

Originally posted by Ken Hutchins:
I started building TALLY HO II when I was 55 :D and will be close to 65 when it's finished. :rolleyes:

[WindHawk]

Not to hang my heart out, but my wife is going through chemo for colon cancer after having a very nasty resection of her intestine that landed her in the ICU for 11 days. She also recovered from 4th stage lymphoma 4 years ago.

After two bouts of this, we don't ever think in terms of how our ages limit us, but in terms how great it's going to be to get the senior discount in another 10 years when we reach 60.

Build it just as soon as you have the cash. Take whatever time is needed. There's likely a nice lake behind the boatyard in Heaven where He allows for the guys who didn't quite finish the boat the first time a second chance to get it done right.

[Puka]

Great thoughts, Windhawk,all the best to you & yours. smile.gif

[Wild Wassa]

Windhawk, you have an inspirational attitude Skipper.

All the best to your wife ... she sounds like she is with the right man.

I hope you both kick boat.

Warren.