Help me start my 2x 1100HP engines!

By and large I agree that even assuming to get the boat FoC, she would hardly ever be worth the huge amount of work and money required to bring her back to decent conditions.
But FWIW, I just noticed a video made entering the e/r, according to which my previous idea that the cockpit extension might have been an afterthought was wrong.
In fact, the engines are right under the raised part of the cockpit, and they spin straight shafts, so the boat was clearly designed like that from the start.
Pity that she was left to deteriorate so badly, but if by chance the OP is going to get her, I for one would be interested to hear about the restoration job - which is going to be demanding to say the very least!

I suspect the OP is long gone,

If it's a great adventure you're looking for, it's easy to predict that you won't be disappointed!
Looking forward to help as much as possible from my armchair and keyboard...
Or possibly also in person, if you are based in Valencia?
By sheer coincidence, I will spend a couple of weeks there in March, before and up to the Las Fallas.
If you will be around, I'm always happy to buy a beer to anyone who has the guts to embark in a project like this!

Just as a first thought, did you consider loading the boat on a ship to bring her to Spain, rather than fix her in the UK before moving on her own bottom?
I am suggesting this because I suspect you should invest a helluva time/work/money just to make her seaworthy and reliable.
Which would be essential, because as I'm sure you know it's a looong way from Brighton to Valencia.
Not to mention that Biscay crossing can be anywhere from tough (if you're lucky) to downright dangerous (if you aren't).

Sure, it would cost quite a bit to transport the boat by ship.
But aside from allowing you to do the whole restoration in a place you are more familiar with, and save yourself all the risks of a challenging route with a new to you (and somewhat untested) boat, it's not like bringing the boat to Valencia on her own bottom would cost nothing.
If you keep into account fuel, marinas, and possibly some professional crew (depending on your experience and how many other persons you are thinking to travel with), the ship transport becomes more attractive...
Anyway, just a thought. All the very best anyhow!

PS: yes, indeed I already noticed (see post #23) that my initial doubt about the boat being originally built without the cockpit extension was wrong.
The engine room video clearly showing the engines position and their straight shafts proves beyond any reasonable doubt that the extended cockpit was NOT an afterthought.

I never heard of anyone towing a boat of that size for such a long way.
And considering the inevitable speed restriction, also the weather window required (particularly for Biscay crossing) would be longer...
But if someone would tell you it's feasible, I'd be interested to hear more, just out of curiosity.

Ref. land transport instead, I'm 99% sure it would NOT be feasible at that size.
But again, happy to learn something new if you would find any transport company willing to handle it.

If you will fancy that beer (or sangria, whatever!) when you will be in Valencia, just drop me a pm.
But please, don't mention again "when I was younger" now that you specified you are 36yo.
Some of us could fall into a deep depression...!

There is a huge difference between restoring cars or buildings vs getting a boat ready and reliable enough to cross from the UK to Spain. The Bay of Biscay isn’t something you want to under estimate.

Haven’t seen the specs on the boat but it running the Canal des Deux Mers from the Atlantic to the med an option?

Wise choice.
With used boats, there's no such thing as a great opportunity lost.
There are only other opportunities out there that you are still unaware of!
Good luck.

The big question....did the OP of this thread really walk away...or did he just tell us that?