Derelict Perfection, Defined
(For Some Sailboats, Radical Surgery Might Be Death With Dignity)
During yesterday’s lively discussion about vintage fiberglass sailboats that could be surgically converted to cruising motorboats, a critical question was raised: How derelict does an old sailboat need to be in order to take it to the Dark Side? How bad, how rotten, that you’d consider removal of all sailing gear as a form of death with dignity (at least in its life as a sailboat)?
One of our regular readers, John Bakalyar, posted a local Facebook Marketplace ad showing a long-neglected Com-Pac 19 sailboat that “needs an enormous amount of repair work,” but comes with a usable if untitled trailer for the grand sum of $600. (Location was Alvin, Texas, in case you’re tempted.) John claimed he was in “no need of another boat,” but we’ve all said that before sheepishly dragging home another project. And while pointing out that the faded old Com-Pac was certainly cheap, John wondered if the boat might appear to be too far gone.
My general response, having admitted to a life of foolish temptation when it comes to the “potential” for rotten old boats, has been to claim that almost any old thing can be restored if you have enough patience, time, love and unquestioning, irrational dedication. Oh, and money.
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