I bought a two-bit sailboat!
Jérôme visits the sailboat which is posted for sale at 12 000 euros with the possibility of keeping the harbor place in Port-Camargue. But this does not interest Jérôme who is looking for a sailboat to live aboard. If the interior of the boat seems clean, the hull on the other hand is not attractive. Indeed, to face osmosis, it has been planed and dried for 3 years. Faced with the extent of the work, Jérôme declared that he was not interested in buying the boat. Finally, the owner comes back to him a few days later and proposes to give him the boat for a symbolic 1 euro. Jérôme refuses and makes a proposal for 2 euros: " That's how I bought a two-bit sailboat "he said with a laugh.
A job of hard work
Following the purchase, this self-taught man set to work. It will take him the whole year living on board to make this old lady afloat. Not counting his hours nor his sanding discs, he will completely rework the hull by doubling it with a glass cloth after having reworked it with epoxy coating.
The rudder, broken just before leaving the water, was also completely rebuilt. For this, the handyman recovers a stainless steel propeller shaft that he will remachine to transform it into a solid bit. For all the repairs, Jérôme does not hesitate on the quantity of material. For his sailboat he puts into practice the adage "too strong never fails".
After the hull it will be the deck that will be completely stripped before receiving a paint protection and an anti-skid. The windlass which is ready to be torn off will also be rebuilt with a new support.
Finally, not much work inside
For comfort, the sailor has also favored a large battery park (800 A) which even allows him to run a washing machine (cold). A mixed gas and induction hob is also installed. The mattress of his bunk (a huge aft cabin) is cut out of a commercial foam mattress before the protective canvas is sewn on by hand. A solution that costs him only 200 euros when the specialists of the nautical mattresses asked him for more than 1000..
Ready to go sailing
Today the sailboat is in the water. Ready to set sail. The original sails are a bit tired, but the onboard box is not enough to replace them. Jérôme will therefore find an anchorage in the 06 and gradually tame his boat. Indeed, he does not hide his lack of experience, he who has only done a few sailing courses. But he is counting on this solid 12 ton sailboat to be indulgent with him.
Work originally underestimated
When asked " Would you do it again today? "he answers not without hesitation: " I underestimated the work, both in time and money. I felt like I was living like in the movie "Groundhog Day", when the actor wakes up in the same place at the same time every morning. The 7-hour days of non-stop sanding while drinking Red Bull were trying.. "
As for the budget, for this boat bought for 2 euros, Jérôme finally spent 30,000 euros for its renovation. In the end, it's not the big expenses that weigh down the budget, but all the little things: consumables, tools, paint, survival. The biggest item is the 6,000 euros of epoxy resin.
Putting yourself at the disposal of humanitarian associations
From now on, Jérôme's life project is to work part time. Six months in winter to rebuild the ship's finances and six months of sailing in summer. And to make this navigation profitable, he is looking for associations that help the disadvantaged. Jérôme would like to offer them his sailboat as a means of transport. To associations that have needs, Jérôme is looking for contacts in this field.
