We have very recently bought a Coromandel for a quid!. She had been lying under the trees in Martlesham Creek Boatyard on the River Deben for over five years and had cockpit growth which would have made David Attenborough’s knees tremble.
My missus and I spent several days clearing the rain forest and I began to formulate the plan. Strip out completely and use as a fun creek crawler along the rivers of East Anglia. We already own two boats - a 1963 all teak Cheoy Lee Vertue (currently undergoing light restoration) and a Hardy 20 stinkpot to satisfy the urge to be at sea.
Anyway, we have realised that this is simply too much of a project to take on at the moment and want to pass the baton to a more youthful, enthusiastic and practical seafarer.
The bad news:
1. There has been rainwater ingress to the tune of six inches in the saloon. This has resulted in rot of the main bulkhead (forward of the heads compartment) and this - along with just about all of the ply - needs digging out and replacing. Obviously there is a fair amount of glassing in of the new bulkhead required.
2. All the electric stuff was either inop or madly outdated so were binned, along with wiring etc. The plastic water tank was gopping and binned. The three seacocks were seized - although the toilet outlet in the cockpit locker is a Blakes and ripe for servicing and many years future use.
3. A previous owner had ‘Snocemed’ the interior (yes, hard to understand why you would lay concrete on your cabin sides) but it is salvageable through sanding the rough surface down and then painting.
4. The teak rubbing strake has rotted in parts but is restorable with material from KJ Howells in, Poole.
The good news:
1. The hull and topsides are in good order and compound well (I have tried in various parts). I cannot find any evidence of any sort of damage or repair. The integrity of the hull is what first attracted me.
2. The mast seems fine and is sleeved on to a ‘stub’ with an, apparent, optional steel brace.
3. The junk boom, yard and sail seem serviceable - if a little grubby. One batten appears to be broken but is a small job.
4. Deck fittings are excellent and she has an electric anchor windlass which WORKS! I was astounded when I tested it expecting nada. This was because she has a solar panel on the companionway hatch which has been charging an extraordinary battery for the past five years.
She is ashore in a beautiful place. She would cost around £15.00 a week to store in situ (no moorings available at present) and can be lifted on to a trailer in minutes.
In summary this is a fabulous opportunity for a passionate enthusiast to have a go. It will be a lot of time and effort but no particular high skill levels are required. I budgeted about £500.00 for materials to get here into a comfortable weekender.
She REALLY needs saving.
If interested and would like more info please give me a call on 07454555481.