Flooded boats
 

Hey guys i need your opionions. My husband is thinking about buying a boat that sunk during Katrina. what are your thoughts on flood damaged boats (under water for 2 hours)? besides rebuilding the engines, new material on the seats and cabin, replacing gauges, ect. what are the risk of buying a flooded boat. is mold really a big problem? dont all boats have some mold? he can buy the boat really cheap.

thanks,
pamela

Re: Flooded boats
 

Only under water for two hours??
I doubt it, but if only under for two hours, I wouldn't think it would be too bad.
If you're already planning on doing a full re-rig - knock yourself out.
I would be suspect of all wiring and plumbing, and make sure the stringer system and Transom are dry.
The hull itself, it should be fine IMO.
Good luck.

Re: Flooded boats
 

what kind of a boat are you looking at?

Re: Flooded boats
 

Rat - how long was your tub under??

:evilb:

Are you getting that babe back together?? Haven't seen any pic's in awhile.
Or did you get yourself all wrapped up in Duct tape and super glue that you couldn't reach the camera?

Re: Flooded boats
 

30 something cafe?

Re: Flooded boats
 

i'll have it primer in a few more days. :D

Re: Flooded boats
 

were ALL of the gauges and electrical components replaced? have you had it surveyed?

Re: Flooded boats
 

make sure the surveyor has a moisture meter.

Re: Flooded boats
 

nothing done to it yet except cabin bed and couches taken out to dry out. no survey but thats a good idea. thanks.

Re: Flooded boats
 

Get a good survey, not some fly by night. Make sure the stringer system is ok. All cosmetic stuff can easily be replaced. It's winter where you're at so this would make a good project for you guys, and like you said if it can be picked up cheap, and it gets you safely out on the water, that's the bottom line. Hope it works out for ya all. Jeff

Re: Flooded boats
 

katrina = salt

Re: Flooded boats
 

i would imagine a mixture of both but i dont know for sure. does it make a difference?

Re: Flooded boats
 

pam k, a BIG difference. Pass on this boat even if its free. There are too many good boats for sale...

Re: Flooded boats
 

Be very care full I read and it was also on this board some were that a fireman died cutting someone out of a car.He had cut his hand and it was a flood car from katrina.From what I understand the flood water was very toxic in some places oil raw sewage chemicals etc.
I would pass plus if it has a salvage title resale value won't be much

Re: Flooded boats
 

I'd pass on a sunken salt water boat. I think you'd be better off finding one that's not sunk. You most likely will have to replace everything except the hull. You'll have a lot more money and time invested than buying one that's already running, or just needs engines. You won't believe how much just the little things cost that you will have to replace.

Just my opinion.

And btw, a Cafe is one of my all time favorite boats. :)

Re: Flooded boats
 

I've bought sunken boats before, believe me you'll spend lots of time and money trying to get it right. You must replace anything electrical including wiring harnesses, switches, guages, all steering, controls and cables. Whatever you don't replace will go bad in a year or two. You're better off looking for a boat with no power that you can get cheap.

Re: Flooded boats
 

unless they are paying you some big $$ to take it away I would run from it as fast as I could. way cheapper and a lot less agravation to just spend the money on a running drive'n boat, There are some good deals out there on cafe's now. just my 2cts

Re: Flooded boats
 

The boat will have to be stripped to a bare hull, and start everything over from scratch. If that's something your husband is up for, have at it.

Re: Flooded boats
 

You have to have a little fun doing it. If it's not the case... I agrre with the above... Get a running one and worst comes to worst, redo the upholstery, the dash if you want! You'll still be ahead in time and money. But if he like doing that...

Re: Flooded boats
 

ruuuuuuunnnnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!! i went over to the site where alot of boats were brought , only thing i saw worth buying was a 16 hewes flats boat.... other than that, everything i saw was under for more than 2 hours...

whoever told you that is full of chit!

agree with other comments , it's a buyer's market on boats these days , alot of nice , ready to go cigarette's out there...

Re: Flooded boats
 

I will pull the power out fo mine and let it go for $15k , (red 40' excalibur in the swap shop)

Re: Flooded boats
 

I read the same thing about the toxic water but can't find the link.

Re: Flooded boats
 

the story we were told is the boat was in a dry stack storage place with the plug out in missisippi when the water came in. he sent a pic of under the bed area and there doesn't look like any mold. still, after reading the posts, it looks like my husband (as sensible as he can be sometimes) really needs to pass on this. thanx for the help!

Re: Flooded boats
 

It all depends on the price. Engines and drives will need to be gone through. If you would show a pic of the boat and details I think the power of OSO could give you a good number.

Re: Flooded boats
 

And I'll bet that number will be higher than a good running boat would be.

Re: Flooded boats
 

this is in the swap section
http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...p?product=2553

nice project.