Pacemaker purchase?

I hate to kill a sale for a YF member or anybody else, but you're thinking of buying a 60' wood boat and bringing it to Naples. Fl.? You've got courage, a lot of time on your hands, and/or a lot of money to spend. As long as you possess those a 60' Pacemaker is a beautiful boat. Understand though that the water, heat and humidity of south Florida are not kind to boat. Worms, barnacles, mold and lots of painting are a few of the things in your future.

Except for a few classics, most wood boats are heading for the bone yard or the bay bottom, which is why the insurance companies are hesitant.

As the captain of a 1981 Hatt I love seeing the proud old girls given life and respect, as long as you fully understand what you're getting into. She'll fair much better in Baltimore than in Naples. Good luck. She is a beauty.

Are you having it surveyed? Part one you say you're about to pull the trigger, but then it reads more like you have already agreed to purchase it? I realize a survey sounds expensive compared to the cost of the boat but compared to the future costs a survey may be a real bargain. You indicate your concern is below the waterline as it well should be, but what about the engines and other systems.

I understand that surveyors will not survey any wooden hull on a commercial vessel due to fastener failures. Note I said commercial, maybe that's the Ins. Co. history and reason. I have a friend in Vancouver who bought a similar 66 Pace and boy, is he having work....everything leaks...ymmv

Ditto Olderboater's comments.

You will need liability insurance. That shouldn't be too much trouble. You'll probably be self-insuring the hull and machinery though.

You have some good people in Baltimore. Go talk with some of the people in the yards for a heads up on what to expect. Look around for older guys with wooden boat experience.

Your background indicates you'll be able to handle things like changing a plank here or there, but things like paint may shock you. Not too many people are using house paint anymore. Things like Awlgrip you won't do yourself and can easily cost the better part of $100K for that boat. Seams spread and contract on wood boats. So paint won't hold nearly as long as you'd like. She also won't be cheap to haul.

I must have missed something; "Commercial" vessel? Your Pacemaker has an COI? Rating?

You mentioned bottom coated, was that just paint or epoxy?

I was referring to the Ins. issue. some should engage brain before mouth...

Have you checked out any older Hatteras yachts?

There is even another forum just for the older Hatts.

You can get into some real nice older Hatts in the 53' to 60' range with Detriots at a decent price.

I love and admire wood boats, especially the older ones.
A 50 year old 60' wood boat is going to need a lot of love and a pretty fat check book to keep operational.
I am not sure I would personally take on such a task.
However, I would not discourage an informed buyer from getting into an older wood classic. I would just want them to know what they are getting into.

BTW, a 60' fiberglass boat will keep you pretty busy with maint.

Good luck, and if you buy the boat please post some pictures.

Regards,
RT46

Was this comment for me?
I was referring to the insurance issue also. I didn't understand how the term "Commercial" was used unless the boat is used for commercial activity.

You need to find, and get references for, a really good surveyor in Florida (It sound like that is where it is) that has done a lot of large wooden boats. And someone else expert in whatever engines are in there. These types of vessels are notorious for becoming infinite time and money pits. That it is still around and afloat is somewhat reassuring, but a boat that size and age can get away from you so fast it will make your eyes water... literally. One sees so many of these projects up on the hill in the back of a yard forever.

More than likely it was a mental note to himself.

Do not recall any mention of commercial use by the OP, either.

This is some tough love; however, if you can not afford their services, you can not afford the boat.

Marine Surveyors

Post#7 makes reference to "commercial vessel" survey problem and comment from the insurance co.

If she goes to Baltimore, she will be going back home. She used to live in Baltimore many years back. She was a full time liveaboard for a husband and wife who were (both I think) airline pilots. She was then named Sea Mist or Blue Mist. She had already had tons of $$ spent on her, then "couch" got her and really went crazy. She is a lot of boat. A pre-purchase survey would be a really good idea. Look up Henry Pickersgill, surveyor in central Florida somewhere. He knows wood hulls.

Post#7 is not by the OP.

The member (Post#7) who introduced commercial vessel is at fault, not you.

The hidden reasons for a survey:

Marine Surveyors