What do you think?

[USA1791]

I’ve been looking to buy an alberg 30 and it’s been hard to find that many for sale that are close by and not all the way across the country. Anyways I did find one and I’m very new to sailing, so would like some opinions. I believe these are blisters but he said there are no blisters so just want someone else’s opinion.

I know the boat needs work, just don’t want to get in over my head.

[George_SD]

If you are new to sailing and working on the boats - i would strongly suggest to get something that requires less work and will give you more opportunity to actually sail it. The one you are showing is going to need a ton of work inside and out (at least in my view).

I personally can't stop working on something until it is done and I know it won't let me down, so to me this would be a very long and expensive project. Everything about boats is expensive and old boats require a lot of custom work because original parts are no longer available. You have to be creative, have tools, know how to use those tools, have money for parts, etc.

Is it doable? Yes.
Have people with no boating experience done this kind of thing before? yes.
Should YOU do it? Only you can answer that question.

It's a big project.

[skipmac]

Hard to be 100% from a photo but they sure look like blisters to me. If so, as far as I can see from a photo they don't look deep, just into the gel coat. And if that is the case then easily fixed.

I do agree with George that this boat appears to need a LOT of work. If the boat is otherwise good with no structural problems or delamination, motor works and it otherwise justifies the selling price then maybe if:

- you have more time than money
- you want to spend a good while fixing a boat instead of sailing a boat
- you might be happy getting the boat functional with small regard for cosmetics.
- you have a place to work on the boat that won't cost more than buying a better boat.

Remember the advise (which sounds like a joke but is very true). Any boat project will cost twice as much and take twice as long as you estimate.

[tkeithlu]

I second or third George's post. When you are starting out, you need a boat that is ready to sail. Project boats end up taking many times the amount of time you think to refurbish, and end up costing more than ready to sail. I recommend that you consider a wider range of boats, with the owner taking you out for a test run being your starting point.