Fortunately your land locked home - doesn't sit in water let alone salt water or you might consider it a money pit. You'd be delusional to think any vessel let alone a 61' wind jammer is not a money pit. and a huge one - Bought new - average cost of maintenance is 10-15% of the value/cost of the vessel - well known fact to anyone in the industry. any repairs are over and above that cost. Hence it is usually a Rich mans playing field. Shoe String Budgets and Boats generally - not always - but generally do not go together. Have you priced the sail replacement costs? I'm sure they are stretched if they saw any seas. Did it even come with all the all the sails?? you're not going to sail her alone - so - you need crew - unless she's so equipped and then you must have spares of the need rigging - Rigging - has to be replaced on Sail boats to be safe in a timely fashion. Water or hull damage which you find on most FREE boats - can be extensive. Granted - great project - I have seen worse be brought back to full sea worthiness - but at great costs. Just getting her up to Coast guard standard can be costly. The rewards when done - yes can be great. But my point is - FREE - costs alot - because until you spend the money - you can't do squat with her except park and look at your Free acquisition of a money pit. Those that wish to undertake this type free endeavor should not be fooled in thinking this is going to be a cost Free, let alone Cheap venture. It's expensive period. One time out at sea calling Sea Tow to come rescue your butts - will give you a rude awakening as well as the insurance costs . Hence it's usually a rich mans playing field - or a boat /vessel poor live aboard sailors playing field ... ;0) You either have deep pockets to keep up it - or go broke trying. No matter your choice - I do wish you well - and would love to see some the future ports you take here posted some where on line. again - Happy sailing -chase-

Hey trebuchet03 - ahh the family business is involved with yatching... explains alot of your cost savings... True - seen more great stuff throw out by the yatchs - deffinetly during a re-outfit. But Hmmm - 12 man life raft thrown out? still in inspection date cirt? - i'll hold my toungue on that one - lol My only real point here - and you seem to have the benifit of more than the average connections to lower your costs some what - but it does take deep pockets to maintain a vessel - i think you'll agree. Your statement as to 10 to 15% yearly maintance costs being reasonable - lets me know your finacial freedom exceeds the costs of maintanance - the average joe would have heart failure after going into sticker shock at the costs related - seen it many a time. Even those above the 600k annual income rate. The last vessel i was on a few weeks ago - 1.4 million in fees for some stuff the owner wanted done - (she's a 108 foot) Year before 3.5 mill. He sneezes at nothing when it comes to costs of his vessels - (he's has 4 or 5) Great owner. I was under the impression at first you were of the 100k range income bracket. An outlay of 100k in a 50 to 60 foot vessel is nothing to spend in one lump sum fixing something that breaks. or of Modernizing them. Sail vessels - if your planing a ocean crossing - have to 100% i think you'll agree there as well - putting up and down the river or local coastal safe sailing if not. Again not trying to deture anyone from attempt this thype thing - just opening eyes to the reality of what free really is in boating - i comend you for you under taking with this vessel - but do worn those thinking this is a FREE venture - That free does cost alot. Especially in boating. Wishing you the best trebuchet03 - See you out there one day i hope. -chase -

I imagine that it would be in the range of
book value of the boat/cost of repairs=likely hood of it going for free.

got that backwords
R/B=C