Barn Find Corbin 39

[Fourseasons]

Greetings!
I recently came across a 1979 Center Cockpit Cutter Corbin 39 on a trailer in a barn. It has never been completed or launched. It has the tall double spreader mast. The Westerbeke diesel engine has been installed. Much of the interior woodwork is complete. It has minimal wiring and plumbing installed. It looks like it has never seen rain. I'm wondering what it may be worth.

[SVTatia]

Rig complete? All sails?
It is worth over $100K, but as is where is 30K perhaps?
Lots of them around for your to get a feel for the price. Hard to say without seeing the shape and inventory, but the right price is the one someone is willing to pay for it.... if it is for sale that is.
Gorgeous blue water boat.

[Mike OReilly]

Depends on a lot of things. In good shape in a good location it could fetch near $100k, although when I was seriously looking about seven years ago they seemed to be in the $60-80k range (for good ones).

Challenge with Corbins is exactly what you’ve got: a home finished boat. The quality of the boat will be dependent on the quality of the builder. Some are awesome. Some are junk. Only a serious examination will reveal what you’ve got.

I’m actually looking at two Corbin 39s right from my cockpit here in Corner Brook, NL. At least one is for sale, maybe both. One is said to be amazingly finished inside, the other … not so much (but it appears well equipped).

[Fourseasons]

The boat is for sale and the people wanted out of their Pole barn. I haven't done a complete inventory yet. Lots of boxes of parts underneath the boat. There is also quite a stack of teak wood and plywood.

[a64pilot]

My guess is they are not the builders, I’d ask what they wanted for it, it may be less than you think. Have to remember this is not a finished boat in the water you can take on a test sail. I’d guess they may be very happy to get 10K, but I’d ask what they would take for it first, case they may primarily want it gone, secondary is if it brings a little money then that’s OK too.

[SVTatia]

Originally Posted by Fourseasons

The boat is for sale and the people wanted out of their Pole barn. I haven't done a complete inventory yet. Lots of boxes of parts underneath the boat. There is also quite a stack of teak wood and plywood.

Mike is right, it depends... but nevertheless, you may have found a great bargain. Keep in mind that you need to learn about the boat. Very well built, very strong, it is a cored hull (Airex).
Let me know where it is and I'll do the inventory for you...

[taxwizz]

Let ME know where it is and I might bring a competing offer. ;~)

[skipmac]

A LOT will depend on how finished the boat is. Engine sitting on the bed but no exhaust, hoses, pumps installed is worth a lot less than one ready to go.

All tanks and hoses installed?

Wiring? Could be a very big, time consuming job.

Plumbing? Ditto

Time and place to put the boat while finishing. Cost to move it? All could add up to tens of thousands........... or not.

Too many variables.

BUT it's a great boat, very solid and reasonable performer.

[Cadence]

I think post 5 is a good approach.

[daletournier]

Honestly i wouldn't pay much. There are so many boats on the market that are great value that you can sail now. It always costs more than you think.

When i first got into boats i would have looked at something like this as a bargain. A decade or so down the track i understand that a boat is way more than a hull and a mast and its really easy to underestimate the cost of getting it to where you want it.

As a64 said, ask them what they want, they may basically just want it gone plus a little "i got something money".

[Captain Bucknut]

Offer to haul it out of there at no cost to them. The longer it sits the more they will want it gone. If they do not take your offer, you have lost nothing.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Cadence

I think post 5 is a good approach.

Definitely agree this would be the best way to start. But still highly recommend getting a much detailed idea of what's done and what isn't.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by taxwizz

Let ME know where it is and I might bring a competing offer. ;~)

Same here. If the OP passes and the boat is near north FL I have a friend looking for a project.

[roland stockham]

A boat is worth what the owner will take - and they want a space not a boat. Good start! Project boat generally go for a song. Unwanted/inhereted ones for the first line. Start from the point of how much they would have to pay someone to dispose of it...
This of course assumes you have the skills to finish it

[Oceandeep]

This brings back memories. My neighbor in NS bought one of these and he worked on it for 10 years getting it ready to go to sea . Unfortunately he died young and never saw it finished.

They are a beautiful well founded design but don’t pay too much. I’m just finishing a 5 Year re-fit of my boat and it’s costing twice what I planned plus endless free labor

Boats make no financial sense. They feed some deeper need within us. Go for it if the price is right - less than $10k