Hi Mark...I own a Tiki 38 in Malaysia which i sail solo. I can tell you that this Tiki 46 is a BIG Project and will cost you a lot more time and money than you anticipate. Also a 46 is a lot of boat to sail alone or with novice crew especially in this twin mast configuration. My advice to you is to walk away from this one and be patient as this one could break you emotionally and financially.
Absolutely. 46ft is just too much surface area and volume for single person to refit, sail and maintain, let alone in the humidity and location of Golfito. If there is indeed a 40 footer under construction in Preston please go and look at it as three months in tropical CR will certainly stretch to thirty
The builders of the first Tiki 46 finally sold her when Nev was in his mid 70's. They often sailed solo long distance. I've sailed the Tiki 46 too, for many days. They sail well enough to sail off the anchor, as I saw my 70 year old friends do often. I sail a 16 ton boat by myself almost all the time, and I'm an old guy.. He will do fine. He should buy the Tiki, he wont be sorry. I doubt he will ever be without crew either, as most long distance sailors can find folks to sail with fairly easily.
I think this post is very sound advice and will save you a lot of heart ache,I would actually offer to buy melody from Andy and Mellissa and put your own stamp on it now,I think they will keep the bowman,melody would be a great boat for you,good luck.
74 years old, lived on and crossed oceans on sailed boats from 30' to 60' for over 1/3 of that life. Last boat was a Prout Quasar. 8 singlehanded crossings including Cape Town to Lisbon. Don't walk, Run away from this boat. The odds of it ever being seaworthy again are less than Manchester U winning the World Cup in my lifetime. For every inch of rott you find, there is another foot hiding, just out of sight. Among my many lifetimes, I was a partner in a Shipyard in the South of Spain. The number of boats like this that ended up rotting away was far greater than the ones that ever went back into the water.
@@MrSychnant We are not sure what his experience of this boat is yet, but maybe he should watch Huub vlogs, who bought a 30 ft boat sight unseen in Guatemala, and has, despite an emotional break up, and finding numerous problems with his boat, managed to fix and sail half way around the Caribbean, on I would guess, a very modest budget. I want him to make a good decision like everyone else, but I wouldn't underestimate his ability either.
We’re in the midst of a burgeoning economic downturn, a lot more boats will come on the market with even more attractive prices. Please consider waiting it out for all the stars to align. Your regret won’t be missing out on this boat, your regret will be not waiting for the actual dream boat and conditions.
People only ever take the advice they want and never the advice they need. This is a tough one Mark! Do you want to spend the next sailing season in the tropics re-fitting your dream, at great emotional and financial cost? Or do you need to spend some more time at home with family and friends & Yoshi, looking for a boat you can fit-out in 3 months and be sailing South and beyond? Decisions are tough and you've probably chosen already through heartache and pain. I wish you all the best for Christmas and the New Year.
Mark, with all the emotional stress that you have gone through in the last few months, I think you would be much better off spending quality time with family and friends before diving into another boat adventure. You are clearly very stressed and now is not the time. As for the Wharram, I wouldn't go for it due to the reasons you give, logistics, location, being alone and quite frankly I think it's a very large project which you would struggle with. Give yourself some time, enjoy getting your (and Yoshi's) life back on track and find yourself another boat much closer to home. Good luck to you and have a great Xmas.
Dear capnordest 👍👌👏 Exactly! Very well said, very well indeed. Unfortunately the utube algorithm doesn't allow long absence respectively even punishes it. Have a nice Christmas time. Best regards luck and health.
Frankly I don't get the fascination with these boats, they are cramped, cumbersome, uncomfortable and need massive amounts of maintenance. So many better choices to travel the world in. They don't even look good.
IMPORTANTLY FIND YOURSELF ANOTHER COMPANION ...YOU MUST STILL BE FEELING AFTER WHAT NADIANA WOO DID TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY !!! TAKE YOUR TIME TO FIND SOMEONE NEW..BUT NEVER TAKE her back !!!
That boat is NOT a £20,000 boat no way. It’s a damn near free boat and then it’s too expensive. That’s one heck of a lot of work in a location that is going to fight you all the way. If that boat is 90% complete I am a banana
His love affair with these crappy cats is a mystery to me. That is a lashed together piece of shit that should be free and in a much better location than Costa Rica. He's looking at boats assuming that his Dad will be able to help him and others will just keep sending him money to finance ridiculous decisions.
@@andrewdrew677 hopefully mark wont buy a boat and in time regret it i think he is still upset over losing her and really better to wait till he is in a better frame of mind before buying another boat.
@@davidwolstenholme4676 she might come back once she has been with her family a bit, he should be flying there rather, she was a good woman and hard to find these days.
To me, the seller didn't really make it sound "so easy". While I don't think it really is a 90% job done, it didn't look massive either. He was honest about having burned out on the build, about soft plywood spots and incredibly honest about how Costa Rica is not the right place to finish the boat. From what I hear, parts availability and pricing is also a real killer there.
@@AntiVaganza "parts availability and pricing is also a real killer there"; indeed, it is subject to corruption, hyper-taxes and unreliability. The chances of meeting honesty are slim, and where is the go-between after a few minutes? What was his excuse? Perhaps he did not know you were coming/sarc.
@@AntiVaganza Yeah, you got everything imported from Europe, I guess. Although, have you ever seen Amewicans using cedar, for boats, for guitars, for whatever? Cedar is at least five times more expensive over here, in Europe! Amewicans chop a lot of trees, each year, I guess. Maybe wood is not that expensive as we'd think. It is the transport. Get it there on a cargo ship, instead of a plane. Might do the trick.
I've rescued/rebuilt 3 sea going boats and only the one that was in a remote location almost got the better of me - in the end we sailed out, but because of the logistics of dealing with the remote site and time constraints, i did a piss poor job of a couple of key jobs and it almost came back to haunt us.
Mark,just watched this video again I am still not sure it's the right project for you at this point in time ,oh he's really selling this boat and at times is convincing but it's that part that makes me feel uncomfortable,, before you decide go and check out Sailing Melody I know whatever you buy you will change but don't tie yourself to a project that's going to leave you flat broke..
Pass on this one Mark your not convincing anyone let alone yourself,,walk away remember that if you have a few videos that don't do well ,then where will that leave you..we all want you to be happy ,it's your call.Ps Think .
Epoxy not setting properly is not a climate issue, it’s more of a mixing and ratio issue. I live in a rainforest in Northern Queensland and have no issues with epoxy setting. Have fun!. Check out Sailing Tangaroa, they put a small cabin on a Wharram in Western Australia.
@@GlenT1D there are specific epoxys for underwater and wet enviorments. Even standard epoxy will work for emergency situation on wet wood but for long term work you want at least 20% or below. I would bet that if failed due to being to wet
Tangaroa was sold and is now / was here in Darwin Northern Territory Australia. I saw what I believe was her a few weeks back at a mooring off the Darwin yacht club in Fanny bay. Yes there's a place called Fanny bay😐 Noting there's a tourism slogan SEE YOU in the NT spelt in "Text" short hand there's a kind of theme happening.. 😁 Cheers
Mark, Before you bought your last boat I was watching you go through the decision making process as to which boat to buy, I recall you saying that the comments from RUclips were leaning against buying the cat. I was one of those viewers yelling at the screen “don’t buy that boat!” In my opinion you were very lucky to sell that boat for a fair price! I’m hopeful that you will take the advice from the crowd here and avoid this risky proposition.
Lots of cons, Mark. Particularly, the location, access to the boat, security of the boat, and the rig! How will you manage the twin masted sailing? Go home and look for something nearer to home. Best wishes for a happy Christmas and a successful boat-buying New Year.
My thoughts also 🙏 I’m worried for the lad, I’m worried he may feel self pressure in getting it because of the long journey and other things. Best walk away with a little loss than have a load of stress and problems down the road.
It's a junk rig, these are made for solo sailors. Both sails can be dropped in a minute, and set in not much more, although i don't recall seeing any winches on that Wharram.
Young Mark; I have the feeling that you've ran out on a limb with this boat away the hell down in Costa Rica. The feeling comes too that you ought to back away and go spend time with your best pal Yoshi and that lovely family of yours. There is another boat out there just waiting for you to stumble upon it - and when you do there will be NO doubt that purchasing it, getting it shipshape and confidently sailing around the world is the absolute right move. Give yourself a break sir, scramble back off that far limb. Thank you for the video, I do think the 46 foot Wharram is nice - at the same time I am extremely concerned about all that must happen for it to truly become yours.
IMHO, if you're going to sail the world, number #1 (one) is a dry cockpit. A dry cockpit also has, as a bonus, a sun shaded cockpit. Exposure to rain, sun and wind causes fatigue and fatigue cause poor judgement. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Agreed 100% Looks and feels like a load of problems just waiting to happen ! Personally mark i know you spent a bit of money going there but really not worth the hassle that will come with that boat. Look for something in Europe with much less work and hassle and a safer options that will not put your personal health and life in danger. Good luck anyway look after yourself and Merry Christmas 🥰🎀🎁🎄
I think this is a crazy job to take on , wood boats are a never ending headache, this would cost you mire then the sparksman and stephens boat , and the sparksman is a solid fiberglass sailing boat ready to go . I would wait gather some more cash and look out for better alternatives
No, fiberglass boats also need taken care of, or rhey might rott too. BUT the problem here is logistics when repair it. If it actually is only put the board on and installing the motor to make it able to sail, then it would maybe be a possible project. Hard to know about the motors though. And it if you really think you have that, and your parents with you on this (motor mechanic are good to have), and it is just the money, go for it. If it is some thing more, then have a look at another boat. The logistics are not that well... And you need to find yourself a crew if you want to sail it to spain or US. Which is probably something to be done soon.
Wood epoxy boats, are the longest lasting, cheapest to build boats that there are. They also have the lowest maintenance. IF they are built properly, and the problem there, particularly with Wharrams, is that they are almost never built properly, or by people with any experience. It only takes one serious mistake to wreak the whole thing. And the T46 has a number of places where there are problems. The beam connection boxes looked funky to me on the one a guy I know built, and also his keel plating attachments. You have a boat that cost 100K and decades to build, and the metal on the keel is screwed in and the whole thing depends on 5200. Almost all the builders will decide to make lots of little changes, and not build to spec. This one I knew when it was built used the wrong marine grade ply for a lot of the build, then it used non-marine ply. That is OK if you know what you are doing. But will the person who buys it even know those materials are there?
I personally would leave it where it is and find something nearer home, working on a boat in a country you don't know anyone,where would you get help from, also logistically you would definitely struggle, give yourself a break , PLEASE DON'T RUSH INTO THIS.👍👍🇬🇧
Hey Mark! I have spent a lot of time in LATAM and I think one of things you need to consider is the fact that things can be really expensive to import. Anything that you buy thats not produced in Costa Rica usually has a 10-20% mark up. That over time will slowly bleed you dry.
Couldn’t agree more. And it’s a great time to get monos, especially under 44ft because so many people want cats and so many are determined a blue water boat has to be at least 44ft. I’m aiming to get a new-to-me boat soon and I’m looking at 38ft monos from late 80s early 90s… some amazing boats and some real world prices. IMHO some of the best blue water boats ever made are in that age and size. Building was seldom done with saving a few pence here or there in mind… they were built to last and sail well.
@@chrisyarnold6205 20k is pushing it… you’re not wrong… 35k is more of a sweet spot but i will see what i can find. But if you paid 20k for that cat you’d need that again to get it bluewater ready
"Happiness is nothing unless you can share it with people..." very true wise old man, Mark. But clearly, you're not alone. You're sharing with 67,000 others who are going along with you on your journey. The filming/production was excellent on this one, btw - congrats for having one of RUclips's best sailing/adventure video series.
Run run away, free or nearly free equals unestimat’able and extremely costly (time and materials). Pay a little for a decent mono hull (rival 32/34, tarantella, weasterly, …, …, etc), and get cruising again asap! Lov the vids mate keep it up and happy holidays 🎉
A 46ft wooden cat, solo and on a budget. In Costa Rica, in a bit of a state. It's not obvious, really, is it. Recession coming in the EU/UK, lots of secondhand dreams will be coming on the market in the New Year; get your head and your finances together, fix the oil leak on the Mini, start afresh closer to home, closer to the support network. Can you tell that its not the boat which brings us back to this channel every week? Think about that for a bit.
Difficult choices Mark. You will have obviously have made your decision by the time you see everyone's comments but I would try to think about it from the head and not the heart. This is a pretty big project and I suspect will take much longer and cost much more than you think, especially if you want the boat to be as sound and safe as reasonably possible to do ocean passages through whatever mother nature throws at you. You already outlined a whole bunch of concerns/negatives and I am sure there are more. I can't imagine sailing this single handed. I got the impression your main desire was to sail, often on your own - I would still be inclined to go with a mono-hull of around 33-38 feet (Sadler, Westerly, Rival, Cape Dory, etc.) that you can get for reasonable price. Make relatively minor upgrades like self steering, ensure rigging, sails, engine, etc. in good shape and go..........
Also, you have to consider what caused the owner to snap. It will happen to you if you do what he did. He seems to hate the weather there. That’s a fight you will have also,unless you plan on leaving. If he is considering giving it away, that is its value, which includes the difficulty working in it where it is. I would be seeing how cheap you get it for. It will cost you more than you thing.
You have engaged my heart over the last several years, you have inspired me and I deeply care about you. I understand your dream and I want it to come true. Just seems like a lot of work stress pain and hell. You are young passing on this doesn’t mean there won’t be something else. If it were in the UK or the south of France, I’d say go for it. This is way off a single persons comfort zone. I feel for you very much. It is your decision I think if I would pass. You have just started looking, again you are young. Take the knowledge you gain as a plus. Your choice but we will follow you either way.
just listen to your gut feelings! And if this is the ONE dreamboat you ever wanted…..its perhaps the chance of your lifetime! yes, there are many problems to go through, but hey, you restored your last boat, then you certainly will be able to get this going. my 2 cents!
Yes, I'm reading through the comments thinking the same thing but no one has addressed it until now. Is the insulation covering up a nightmare of rotting wood? If that is the case, what is the boat worth then? I'd want to cut out some insulation in different areas of the hull to check the integrity of the wood or do some core samples of the wooden hull from inside or outside but the seller would never allow that. If core samples found rotten wood, the boat goes from $30K to $??. How does your friend from Wharram advise you at this point?
You are right about the location, it's far from ideal, tropical climates seem great at first glance but to work in those conditions is hell ! You will need to get the boat out of the water that's for sure but it is not a boat you can live on while you do the work so you will need to pay yard fees and accommodation fees and your guesstimate of a 3 month refit time is highly ambitious even with a dry workshop ! First you will need to ensure all the work that has been carried out is sound and doesn't need to be redone but that is a complete unknown and you need to be sure. Second you will need help for much of that work and third you are going to need tools, yes it can be done but not by just anyone. Fourth, he knows if he cannot get rid of that soon it's going to be scrapped, he is in a hurry, you are not !
I just wanted to add that I can see the potential of that boat and can see that it might not need a lot of work to finish it but then I see things like the electrical system which is non existent and realise that outboard motors will not contribute any power for the batteries. Then there are 2 outboards, that doubles the hassle and cost of parts and maintenance. You can't rely on a couple of solar panels so you will need a generator for power and generators need fuel and maintenance. There is a serious lack of fresh water tankage and those outboards probably use small 20 litre fuel tanks and of course outboards use petrol and on it goes ! The owner got tired of banging his head against it and after spending lots of money dealing with all kinds of logistical nightmares in a tropical environment which eats or corrodes everything that isn't carefully protected he has had enough and I really don't blame him, it's not an enviable job !
@@ian-c.01 I suspect the final outcome would be yesterday's unreliability of electrical power, navigation shortcuts, terrible rigging, dangerous fuel, double-trouble outboards, freshwater shortages and general grottiness. The previous bird jumped ship, Mark deserves better but this boat will not attract it.
@@alexandermenzies9954 I know Mark reads the comments and understands that most people are trying to help, he also takes note of all the information provided and acts on it especially if it is negative ! He also realises that other people sitting on their sofas in very different lifestyles will have a very different viewpoint than him and may not always be able to provide information that helps. If it was me I would only ask one or two close friends or people I know with a great deal more experience than me because there is no perfect boat that will be accepted by everyone who posts comments on his videos ! I think that's why he ended up with his last boat, he knew he had to make a decision and someone he trusted said it wouldn't take too much (for 2 people working together) to get it back in the water ! Many people advised against it but he ignored them !
@@ian-c.01 I would guess about 90% of people are advising against this particular boat. The boat as it is, the lack of plans, the cost of any imports (and there would be many), the god-awful outboards, the horrid rigging, nav gear, fresh water storage, decent cooking facilities, the attitude of the "agent", comms gear, ........... No diesel engine for back up including electrical generation, hugely expensive batteries, Mark is buying for 2 people, one of whom we and he have not met but the basics of safety and attractiveness will always rule.
Mark , if this trip to Costa Rica make happy , even you feel lonely just follow your heart , happiness is around the corner . God bless you , and good luck with the boat .
Mark: I think you already know from your own past experiences that spending more than about half of what you have saved on buying the boat itself is not a good idea, given what you will need to do to make it seaworthy and livable. I would explain that very frankly to the seller and, if he won't come down by 50%, I would walk away. Otherwise, you will be stuck with a broken boat, 5,000 miles from home, no way to get it to a better climate, no money to fix it, and unable to speak the language. But you have probably already made the decision by the time you read this so, best of luck with whatever you decide. We're with you regardless.
Thank you for this new episode. Am glad you are taking us back with you on your new adventures and Wow what a beautiful ship. I understand it gave you a headache.... "What should I do now?" 🙂 By now I am sure decisions have been made. I am very curious to hear and see them in your new video. Cheers mate!
Mark,… I admire your dreamer attitude,..but, as a sailor that’s been around the Sun 65 times, I can’t help myself and would recommend that you respectfully walk away from this project. The right boat for you is out there, but I don’t think this is it. Patience will pay off for you, without the stress, and remoteness from family and strong support systems. Happy holidays to you and your folks!
Hi Mark, Merry Christmas and safe travels. I love your passion for finding the right boat. Remember this quote "The greatest enemy of a good plan is the dream of a Perfect Plan". All will work out in the end. If it is meant to be you will know. Sleep and rest is your best friend. cheers
Mark, Be patient and wait for the right one. If wharram is the boat for you I would make sure it is already in basically sound condition. This location and the many unknowns of this boat look like trouble. Cats are fun but not for solo.
My first thought when you were looking at Minkie was “run a mile from it and quickly”. My first thought looking at this boat is run two miles and even faster. Not just the work involved but it’s location and everything that brings. However, I was wrong with your last project and if you do decide to take this one on I sincerely hope I’m wrong again, but this is a monumental challenge on so many fronts, the main one is the location in my humble opinion. I’ve watched your adventure from you first trip from Wales and will continue to watch with with great interest. Good luck Mark. 👍
Same here. I've been on this journey watching this channel evolve from when it had no more than a couple hundred subscribers. Every single video right from the very start. Mark should run miles away from this boat. If he doesn't this boat will break him mentally, physically and emotionally.
It pains me to say this but I think you're better off holding out for another option. I have no doubts that the boat would be manageable but it's the logistics of the location that would kill it for me. I also feel that if something happened while youre away, that could be the end of all your money and your dreams. You're young and have plenty of time. Buy a mono like the Sparkman you looked at, cross the Atlantic and then you can spend time cruising out there looking for your dream wharram at your leisure.
I think the boat looks awesome. Not sure what I think about the twin masts though. Definitely looks like a lot of work but doable. The location will be a challenge. Costa Rica is one of the more expensive countries in Central America. And also one of the harder ones to cruise in. I'm in utila Honduras on our way up to Rio dulce Guatemala. There's several cheap cats there right now as well as a couple of wharrams. It's a cruising boat repair Mecca. You should check it out before you fly all the way back to England. I would definitely want to do the Caribbean before I am braved the Pacific. Good luck Mark we're rooting for you.
I loved your last cat and was really happy when you decided to get it. I love this one even more. I would be a bit concerned about what the condition of the hulls is like behind that insulation though.
I can see the attraction and as a RUclips project no doubt it will bring many followers as it would be interesting to watch. From a practical point though it is a big undertaking and that rig setup would not be the easiest to handle single handed in rough weather. The owner has obviously spent a small fortune of money and time on her but it does seem to need a lot more of each to complete. Can't wait to see the next episodes. Good luck
Can you see yourself on it in a big storm? would it take care of you? that would be my first question. I think a boat that dont right itself after capsizing is not where I want to be on a storm. I hope you go for a soling monohull. good luck mate!
Good comment, people buy cats thinking they have lots of extra space in the hulls then they go and overload them and lose the speed advantage they had and in the worst scenario risk pitchpoling in a following sea because the bows dig in because of the overloading.
Check every inch of those hulls inside and out, especially under water tanks and toilets, should lift some of that insulation and check for condensation, I bought a plywood cat in the 90's and checked best I could but on my first sail in the north sea the bottom fell out under a sealed in water tank, it had rampant rot and despite rebuilds kept returning every five years, I gave up and sold it after a few years.
I have to say that you pretty much said it yourself on the drive down - if you could move your whole crew to CR for a year or two to undertake this rebuild, it might be a wonderful experience you remember for a lifetime, but if you’re undertaking to do it all yourself this project seems very likely to overmatch you. This isn’t the only Wharram in the world looking for a new owner for another chapter of adventures, in your shoes I would keep looking.
A location is a logistical nightmare. You should automatically double your budget because the import taxes there are pretty steep. Although this would be a very interesting build nonetheless
Navigating the Ocean is child's play in comparison to navigating ourselves... I hope you find your way and then you'll find your boat: it won't work the other way around... All the best for Christmas 🎄🎄🎄☃️🎄
Just my personal opinion. Taking into account what has happened over the last few months, have you thought about just taking time out and looking at either going to sail as a part of a crewman or another option, especially since you plan to build your own boat, look at apprenticeship either in UK or US. Leo, who owns the Tally Ho is in WA, and that shipyard has a great wooden ship building program. Leo learned in the UK, as did Finn, who also did work on the Tally Ho before going back to the UK and starting his own RUclips channel and restoring his own boat while working at a boatyard. That way you are around like minded people and not out there alone. Just a thought. Always better with friends.
Great advice, Mark is still young and has many years to gain experience and learn new skills, helping another project would teach him so many much needed skills and give him some very valuable experiences which will set him up perfectly for the future !
Man what an Adventures to look at a boat in Golfito, spent a couple years ago a few weeks there , we were sailing to Panama City from there and through the canal into the Caribbean, I loved Golfito I like the people of Costa Rica, warm hearted an a bit crazy, if you are looking for adventure no problem, your life is an adventure anyway, the boat thing you are the guy to manage that one, will take some time but as the Costa Ricans say Pura Vida
Keep Yoshi, skip this boat. . . don't worry we are here for the ride regardless if you are sailing, repairing, or just vlogging. Best of luck, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Huge decision bro, take your time, it's a massive project in a very difficult place. I wish you well man, whatever you decide I'll look forward to whatever endeavour you undertake but this one is a biggy. Have a great Christmas and New Years.
Follow your dream mate and you will have no regrets, whatever the outcome. Money can always be made and you will meet someone new on your adventures, the future is bright!
Yes the dream/nightmare! Reminds me of the "huge"- to me- 24' outrigger canoe I built at 16 in my Dad's garage. I was gone a couple years and when I came back, he had sawed it in half so he could use the garage. So I built a 16 foot proa, and sailed it everywhere in the SF BAy Area. I've had huge boats since then, but always true is that smaller is so much easier. Good luck!
Two big downsides are location and not being able to access the insides of the hulls due to the foam insulation, I would keep looking for something in GRP perhaps and more local
Please get a shipwright or surveyor to inspect the boat you choose. You could head to the shipyard where Yaba is getting a refit. I think it's in Brazil. Cheap labour
I would say go for it if it was in a better climate or somewhere like Panama or South Africa where you had easier cheap access to epoxy and materials. But the fact it’s a moist climate and remote would make it a no for me.
I would think long and hard. It looks to me like it would take at least purchase price again to get it in sailing condition, much more to get it offshore worthy. My uneducated guess would be $40k to $50k USD to get it put together. And then think that it will be a couple years before you can go sailing. Added: It would make for an interesting RUclips to watch while fixed up. Again quite a long time and pretty expensive to get it ocean ready.
Hi Mark, I'm a big fan of yours and have watched your journey from the beginning. As someone who genuinely wants to see you realise your dreams of crossing oceans and seeing the world, I implore you not to buy this boat. It will break your heart and your bank balance, that is just a really hard fact. There is a reason the other boat you mentioned is 150k. There is no place for romance when it comes to this purchase. If and when you get it to a sea-worthy state in a few years, the running costs and maintenance will be a nightmare. Nothing about it makes sense for what you say you want to do. There are so many better options out there for you and closer to home. Make life easier not harder. Please take this with the best intentions and not as someone who doubts your ability, it's about wanting to see you succeed. Lastly don't take the fact the seller (who I'm sure is a great guy) being open and transparent as a positive signal to buy, quite the opposite, it's just he has a conscience. 2023 is your year but don't rush, think about it, you're betting the house on this thing. Take care and happy Christmas.
Mark, you already know alot of the joy you got with minki was sharing the work with your partner. This doesn't seam to be a place where you will meet and make new friends. I would look in places you already speak the language and have opportunities fill out your life with not just a boat . Good luck on your quest. Merry Christmas. PS All of the channels I follow where there is joy, seem to have two people making and sharing it. Go where opportunities for all aspects of life are plentiful.
Hope you had a great trip man but i am a man of few words. This boat looks like it could soak up so much time & money. omo. Have a great Christmas bud. Keep well. 8 )
Firstly, hats off to you, you are a brave man and I admire that. They always turn into bigger projects. That is not the climate to get the work done you need. It does seem worth doing, but not there. I would look at disassembly and shipping her in a container. Likely £10 perhaps but cheap in the long run if your gut tells you she’s the one for you. Best of luck, follow your intuition, you’re more than capable of the task but it could break you where she is and will easily take twice as long as you anticipate.
If the hulls, beams and at least one engine check out buy the boat, do the absolute minimum to move her somewhere dryer. Sailing around the world with a dog is a big issue, many countries make it extremely hard to bring a dog into, and even more are not happy to have the dog onshore. With a boat that size it is unlikely you will need to sail solo. Wharrams are extremely capable boats and easy/kind to sail.
I've read a lot of the comments below and there is a hell of a lot of good advice there regarding the boat, logistics, handling such a big vessel solo etc etc. My point is about Yoshi. I was in a position where I had no choice at the time but to leave my dogs behind. If you are anything like me, and I think you are in this regard, it will eat you alive. 45 years on and I still think about it daily. Don't do it mate, unless you can leave him with family while you are away. Good luck and merry Xmas.
Mark, I am currently in Palau on a Morgan 37. I'm. Headed to the Philippines first of the year. Your welcome to come along if you want to see what a great single handed boat is. You can find these for about $5000 to $15000, or it's. Big sister the 41. Super stable and so much room. Dan
I think the pirate ship style sail boat would suits you too a tee… it’s got lots character, it would be a head turner using it on your U-Tube show. Hope you get it before it’s gone
The problem isn't the boat. The problem is Costa Rica. It isn't leaving there for a looong time and you have zero support. Language, logistics, supplies, safety, it's a lot. I'd only do this if there was a community to tap into. Foreign boaties, Costa Rican youtubers, ex-pats, something.
This was my problem with my boat in Scotland, I could only get there at weekends and if the weather was bad, most of the time. I couldn't get the work done to sail it back. I ended up selling for a loss and getting a boat closer to home.
Some dreams are better not coming true in my opinion, at least not yet. You might want to think about sometihing like an up-and-running Sadler 26 in the UK for half of what you are going to spend on that...
A lot of people seem to be forgetting that this is also about creating an enjoyable YT channel not just finding a boat. Wharram is obviously your dream boat but you should build one yourself in the UK. Learn skills from others, Get your sailing qualifications, do deliveries and crew on others. Film it all to add sailing content while you also film the build. You will end up with a boat you know inside out.
I totally agree with other comments , it's time for stepping back and taking your time and not rushing foolhardy into something you will have a long time to REGRET A Happy Christmas and more fruitful New Year
I expect by the time you posted this, you probably know what you are going to do? Its not as bad looking as i thought, its already got a double cruncher, enough room for a galley and a ready built editing station. It really depends if this is really your dream boat compared to a almost free 30 something in Florida. The logistic thing of it location would be my main concern. Seems your choices of boat yards are either in Mexico or Panama, and that requires a seaworthy boat. Any boat is stress, not as bad if its your dream boat.
Hi Mark, I tend to agree with the comments made, although its your dream boat I don't believe that its this is the one. The logistics to get her ready to sail would be a huge challenge. Patients, there could be a boat closer to home before your dream boat, you have time
Mark, the Sailing Melody team are about to sell Melody in favour of a slightly larger boat because Melissa is pregnant and Melody is for 3 and not for 3 + newborn. Why not ask them for a price as its most done and going to splash in April? It would be the greatest cross-over video ever!
Hi Mark...I own a Tiki 38 in Malaysia which i sail solo. I can tell you that this Tiki 46 is a BIG Project and will cost you a lot more time and money than you anticipate. Also a 46 is a lot of boat to sail alone or with novice crew especially in this twin mast configuration. My advice to you is to walk away from this one and be patient as this one could break you emotionally and financially.
Good advise from someone who knows.
Absolutely. 46ft is just too much surface area and volume for single person to refit, sail and maintain, let alone in the humidity and location of Golfito. If there is indeed a 40 footer under construction in Preston please go and look at it as three months in tropical CR will certainly stretch to thirty
The builders of the first Tiki 46 finally sold her when Nev was in his mid 70's. They often sailed solo long distance. I've sailed the Tiki 46 too, for many days. They sail well enough to sail off the anchor, as I saw my 70 year old friends do often. I sail a 16 ton boat by myself almost all the time, and I'm an old guy.. He will do fine. He should buy the Tiki, he wont be sorry. I doubt he will ever be without crew either, as most long distance sailors can find folks to sail with fairly easily.
I think this post is very sound advice and will save you a lot of heart ache,I would actually offer to buy melody from Andy and Mellissa and put your own stamp on it now,I think they will keep the bowman,melody would be a great boat for you,good luck.
@@tazong
Completely different boat to what he needs, he wants to cross oceans, and I don't think that Melody is the boat for that.
74 years old, lived on and crossed oceans on sailed boats from 30' to 60' for over 1/3 of that life. Last boat was a Prout Quasar. 8 singlehanded crossings including Cape Town to Lisbon.
Don't walk, Run away from this boat. The odds of it ever being seaworthy again are less than Manchester U winning the World Cup in my lifetime.
For every inch of rott you find, there is another foot hiding, just out of sight.
Among my many lifetimes, I was a partner in a Shipyard in the South of Spain. The number of boats like this that ended up rotting away was far greater than the ones that ever went back into the water.
So true here speaks a man who knows what he's talking about hopefully he will read this and take it very seriously
Great advice mate it’s not the boat for him
And what do "you" think Mark should do in view of his experience?
@@MrSychnant Keep looking!
@@MrSychnant
We are not sure what his experience of this boat is yet, but maybe he should watch Huub vlogs, who bought a 30 ft boat sight unseen in Guatemala, and has, despite an emotional break up, and finding numerous problems with his boat, managed to fix and sail half way around the Caribbean, on I would guess, a very modest budget. I want him to make a good decision like everyone else, but I wouldn't underestimate his ability either.
We’re in the midst of a burgeoning economic downturn, a lot more boats will come on the market with even more attractive prices. Please consider waiting it out for all the stars to align. Your regret won’t be missing out on this boat, your regret will be not waiting for the actual dream boat and conditions.
I don't think you'd get a $150,000 boat for $30,000 even if armageddon was upon us!
Mark just make sure you make your decisions with your head and not your heart.
@@klaudiaskyes2922your right, but maybe a $60,000 boat for $20,000....
2023 is the time to buy anything NOT 2022.
@@klaudiaskyes2922 A $150,000 wooden boat can quickly turn into a $30,000 one if a certain amount of time and money aren't spent on it.
People only ever take the advice they want and never the advice they need. This is a tough one Mark! Do you want to spend the next sailing season in the tropics re-fitting your dream, at great emotional and financial cost? Or do you need to spend some more time at home with family and friends & Yoshi, looking for a boat you can fit-out in 3 months and be sailing South and beyond?
Decisions are tough and you've probably chosen already through heartache and pain. I wish you all the best for Christmas and the New Year.
It’s a really dodgy idea. I think you should proceed with caution. Decisions under time pressure aren’t always easy.
@@Frankthegravelrider That is the way i see it as well, decisions under pressure are never the best, that is when you walk away.
@@RamblingRodeo excellent advice
@@johnstuebner9143 ty
First sentence is dead on with this young man. I believe I'll stop with my advice and just quietly watch the trainwreck.
Mark, with all the emotional stress that you have gone through in the last few months, I think you would be much better off spending quality time with family and friends before diving into another boat adventure. You are clearly very stressed and now is not the time. As for the Wharram, I wouldn't go for it due to the reasons you give, logistics, location, being alone and quite frankly I think it's a very large project which you would struggle with. Give yourself some time, enjoy getting your (and Yoshi's) life back on track and find yourself another boat much closer to home. Good luck to you and have a great Xmas.
Dear capnordest
👍👌👏 Exactly! Very well said, very well indeed. Unfortunately the utube algorithm doesn't allow long absence respectively even punishes it.
Have a nice Christmas time.
Best regards luck and health.
Frankly I don't get the fascination with these boats, they are cramped, cumbersome, uncomfortable and need massive amounts of maintenance. So many better choices to travel the world in. They don't even look good.
I wouldn’t walk away I would run away. I know you spent money and time but that thing would be a uncomfortable money pit.
IMPORTANTLY FIND YOURSELF ANOTHER COMPANION ...YOU MUST STILL BE FEELING AFTER WHAT NADIANA WOO DID TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY !!! TAKE YOUR TIME TO FIND SOMEONE NEW..BUT NEVER TAKE her back !!!
Over time there will be a better opportunity, thinking about this at home with no strings attached to the boat is important I think.
That boat is NOT a £20,000 boat no way. It’s a damn near free boat and then it’s too expensive. That’s one heck of a lot of work in a location that is going to fight you all the way. If that boat is 90% complete I am a banana
His love affair with these crappy cats is a mystery to me. That is a lashed together piece of shit that should be free and in a much better location than Costa Rica. He's looking at boats assuming that his Dad will be able to help him and others will just keep sending him money to finance ridiculous decisions.
i think he should keep minky and yoshi
@@davidwolstenholme4676 yes minki and Yoshi have both been ditched 😭and for that wreck in mosquito ridden hell hole aaagghhh
@@andrewdrew677 hopefully mark wont buy a boat and in time regret it i think he is still upset over losing her and really better to wait till he is in a better frame of mind before buying another boat.
@@davidwolstenholme4676 she might come back once she has been with her family a bit, he should be flying there rather, she was a good woman and hard to find these days.
Hi Mark if this guy is making it sound so easy why isn’t he doing it I think this is a nightmare not a dream
To me, the seller didn't really make it sound "so easy". While I don't think it really is a 90% job done, it didn't look massive either. He was honest about having burned out on the build, about soft plywood spots and incredibly honest about how Costa Rica is not the right place to finish the boat. From what I hear, parts availability and pricing is also a real killer there.
@@AntiVaganza "parts availability and pricing is also a real killer there"; indeed, it is subject to corruption, hyper-taxes and unreliability.
The chances of meeting honesty are slim, and where is the go-between after a few minutes? What was his excuse? Perhaps he did not know you were coming/sarc.
@@AntiVaganza Yeah, you got everything imported from Europe, I guess. Although, have you ever seen Amewicans using cedar, for boats, for guitars, for whatever? Cedar is at least five times more expensive over here, in Europe! Amewicans chop a lot of trees, each year, I guess. Maybe wood is not that expensive as we'd think. It is the transport. Get it there on a cargo ship, instead of a plane. Might do the trick.
I've rescued/rebuilt 3 sea going boats and only the one that was in a remote location almost got the better of me - in the end we sailed out, but because of the logistics of dealing with the remote site and time constraints, i did a piss poor job of a couple of key jobs and it almost came back to haunt us.
Listen to this guy!
When you live in Lancashire, its hard enough refitting a salvage boat on the Clyde, never mind Costa ruddy Rica.
If I were you I would pass on this boat because of the distance and cost of materials and go back to UK and find something closer to home!
Mark,just watched this video again I am still not sure it's the right project for you at this point in time ,oh he's really selling this boat and at times is convincing but it's that part that makes me feel uncomfortable,, before you decide go and check out Sailing Melody I know whatever you buy you will change but don't tie yourself to a project that's going to leave you flat broke..
Pass on this one Mark your not convincing anyone let alone yourself,,walk away remember that if you have a few videos that don't do well ,then where will that leave you..we all want you to be happy ,it's your call.Ps Think .
Run fast and run far. Merry Christmas Mark.
Epoxy not setting properly is not a climate issue, it’s more of a mixing and ratio issue. I live in a rainforest in Northern Queensland and have no issues with epoxy setting. Have fun!. Check out Sailing Tangaroa, they put a small cabin on a Wharram in Western Australia.
Fair enough. Perhaps the moisture in the wood was also a problem?
@@WildlingSailing nope. Epoxy will set underwater.
@@GlenT1D there are specific epoxys for underwater and wet enviorments. Even standard epoxy will work for emergency situation on wet wood but for long term work you want at least 20% or below. I would bet that if failed due to being to wet
@@richardthomson4693 either way, wet/rotting wood is not desirable under cured / uncured epoxy.
Tangaroa was sold and is now / was here in Darwin Northern Territory Australia.
I saw what I believe was her a few weeks back at a mooring off the Darwin yacht club in Fanny bay.
Yes there's a place called Fanny bay😐
Noting there's a tourism slogan SEE YOU in the NT spelt in "Text" short hand there's a kind of theme happening..
😁
Cheers
Mark, Before you bought your last boat I was watching you go through the decision making process as to which boat to buy, I recall you saying that the comments from RUclips were leaning against buying the cat. I was one of those viewers yelling at the screen “don’t buy that boat!” In my opinion you were very lucky to sell that boat for a fair price! I’m hopeful that you will take the advice from the crowd here and avoid this risky proposition.
Lots of cons, Mark. Particularly, the location, access to the boat, security of the boat, and the rig! How will you manage the twin masted sailing? Go home and look for something nearer to home. Best wishes for a happy Christmas and a successful boat-buying New Year.
Agreed 100% Looks and feels like a load of problems just waiting to happen !
My thoughts also 🙏 I’m worried for the lad, I’m worried he may feel self pressure in getting it because of the long journey and other things. Best walk away with a little loss than have a load of stress and problems down the road.
It's a junk rig, these are made for solo sailors. Both sails can be dropped in a minute, and set in not much more, although i don't recall seeing any winches on that Wharram.
Costa Rica is the safest South American country. The Ticos and Ticas are warm, giving, people.
Young Mark; I have the feeling that you've ran out on a limb with this boat away the hell down in Costa Rica. The feeling comes too that you ought to back away and go spend time with your best pal Yoshi and that lovely family of yours.
There is another boat out there just waiting for you to stumble upon it - and when you do there will be NO doubt that purchasing it, getting it shipshape and confidently sailing around the world is the absolute right move. Give yourself a break sir, scramble back off that far limb.
Thank you for the video, I do think the 46 foot Wharram is nice - at the same time I am extremely concerned about all that must happen for it to truly become yours.
IMHO, if you're going to sail the world, number #1 (one) is a dry cockpit. A dry cockpit also has, as a bonus, a sun shaded cockpit. Exposure to rain, sun and wind causes fatigue and fatigue cause poor judgement. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Thanks, and merry Christmas to you too! Yeah that’s true. With this one, a cost cockpit could be made
Agreed 100% Looks and feels like a load of problems just waiting to happen ! Personally mark i know you spent a bit of money going there but really not worth the hassle that will come with that boat. Look for something in Europe with much less work and hassle and a safer options that will not put your personal health and life in danger. Good luck anyway look after yourself and Merry Christmas 🥰🎀🎁🎄
I think this is a crazy job to take on , wood boats are a never ending headache, this would cost you mire then the sparksman and stephens boat , and the sparksman is a solid fiberglass sailing boat ready to go . I would wait gather some more cash and look out for better alternatives
No, fiberglass boats also need taken care of, or rhey might rott too.
BUT the problem here is logistics when repair it. If it actually is only put the board on and installing the motor to make it able to sail, then it would maybe be a possible project.
Hard to know about the motors though.
And it if you really think you have that, and your parents with you on this (motor mechanic are good to have), and it is just the money, go for it.
If it is some thing more, then have a look at another boat. The logistics are not that well... And you need to find yourself a crew if you want to sail it to spain or US. Which is probably something to be done soon.
Wood epoxy boats, are the longest lasting, cheapest to build boats that there are. They also have the lowest maintenance. IF they are built properly, and the problem there, particularly with Wharrams, is that they are almost never built properly, or by people with any experience.
It only takes one serious mistake to wreak the whole thing. And the T46 has a number of places where there are problems. The beam connection boxes looked funky to me on the one a guy I know built, and also his keel plating attachments. You have a boat that cost 100K and decades to build, and the metal on the keel is screwed in and the whole thing depends on 5200.
Almost all the builders will decide to make lots of little changes, and not build to spec. This one I knew when it was built used the wrong marine grade ply for a lot of the build, then it used non-marine ply. That is OK if you know what you are doing. But will the person who buys it even know those materials are there?
I personally would leave it where it is and find something nearer home, working on a boat in a country you don't know anyone,where would you get help from, also logistically you would definitely struggle, give yourself a break , PLEASE DON'T RUSH INTO THIS.👍👍🇬🇧
Hey Mark! I have spent a lot of time in LATAM and I think one of things you need to consider is the fact that things can be really expensive to import. Anything that you buy thats not produced in Costa Rica usually has a 10-20% mark up. That over time will slowly bleed you dry.
Find a mono hull that is ready to sail... The stress and difficulty is not worth it.
Couldn’t agree more. And it’s a great time to get monos, especially under 44ft because so many people want cats and so many are determined a blue water boat has to be at least 44ft. I’m aiming to get a new-to-me boat soon and I’m looking at 38ft monos from late 80s early 90s… some amazing boats and some real world prices. IMHO some of the best blue water boats ever made are in that age and size. Building was seldom done with saving a few pence here or there in mind… they were built to last and sail well.
He will do exactly the opposite of our recommendations :)
@@julianbatcheler9970
But for £20k or less?
@@chrisyarnold6205 20k is pushing it… you’re not wrong… 35k is more of a sweet spot but i will see what i can find.
But if you paid 20k for that cat you’d need that again to get it bluewater ready
@@julianbatcheler9970 + airfares+accommodation+vehicle...Mark is not the brightest bulb in the shop.
"Happiness is nothing unless you can share it with people..." very true wise old man, Mark. But clearly, you're not alone. You're sharing with 67,000 others who are going along with you on your journey. The filming/production was excellent on this one, btw - congrats for having one of RUclips's best sailing/adventure video series.
A lot of solo happy people around also
Yoshi is not just for xmas, there will always be another boat!
I’d sooner have Yoshi than a boat,keep the dog ditch the boat.
A dog is not just for xmas; you can get a good curry out of it on boxing day! LOL
@@Keith-p8c2b Personally i don't think Yoshi is a boat dog, then again i don't think any dog should be restricted to a boat just my view.
@@michaelcann280 plenty of space on a wharram that size for a dog like yoshi.
My heart sank. There are so many good boats out there cheap.
Run run away, free or nearly free equals unestimat’able and extremely costly (time and materials).
Pay a little for a decent mono hull (rival 32/34, tarantella, weasterly, …, …, etc), and get cruising again asap!
Lov the vids mate keep it up and happy holidays 🎉
A 46ft wooden cat, solo and on a budget. In Costa Rica, in a bit of a state. It's not obvious, really, is it.
Recession coming in the EU/UK, lots of secondhand dreams will be coming on the market in the New Year; get your head and your finances together, fix the oil leak on the Mini, start afresh closer to home, closer to the support network.
Can you tell that its not the boat which brings us back to this channel every week? Think about that for a bit.
Difficult choices Mark. You will have obviously have made your decision by the time you see everyone's comments but I would try to think about it from the head and not the heart. This is a pretty big project and I suspect will take much longer and cost much more than you think, especially if you want the boat to be as sound and safe as reasonably possible to do ocean passages through whatever mother nature throws at you. You already outlined a whole bunch of concerns/negatives and I am sure there are more. I can't imagine sailing this single handed. I got the impression your main desire was to sail, often on your own - I would still be inclined to go with a mono-hull of around 33-38 feet (Sadler, Westerly, Rival, Cape Dory, etc.) that you can get for reasonable price. Make relatively minor upgrades like self steering, ensure rigging, sails, engine, etc. in good shape and go..........
Run like your hair’s on fire. Have a great Christmas 🎄
so happy you said, yoshi and you are inseparable!..nice boat, but others will come along for sure where yoshi can be part of the adventure!;)
Also, you have to consider what caused the owner to snap. It will happen to you if you do what he did. He seems to hate the weather there. That’s a fight you will have also,unless you plan on leaving. If he is considering giving it away, that is its value, which includes the difficulty working in it where it is. I would be seeing how cheap you get it for. It will cost you more than you thing.
You have engaged my heart over the last several years, you have inspired me and I deeply care about you. I understand your dream and I want it to come true. Just seems like a lot of work stress pain and hell. You are young passing on this doesn’t mean there won’t be something else. If it were in the UK or the south of France, I’d say go for it. This is way off a single persons comfort zone. I feel for you very much. It is your decision I think if I would pass. You have just started looking, again you are young. Take the knowledge you gain as a plus. Your choice but we will follow you either way.
just listen to your gut feelings! And if this is the ONE dreamboat you ever wanted…..its perhaps the chance of your lifetime!
yes, there are many problems to go through, but hey, you restored your last boat, then you certainly will be able to get this going.
my 2 cents!
While you are in central America you have to check out Rio Dulce in Guatemala. It's on the Caribbean side. Well worth checking for cheap boats
Thanks
What a difficult decision! I pray you sort everything out and then follow your path!
It is good to see and hear you can rely on your family.
I can;t help wondering what may be behind all the insulation.
Yes, I'm reading through the comments thinking the same thing but no one has addressed it until now. Is the insulation covering up a nightmare of rotting wood? If that is the case, what is the boat worth then? I'd want to cut out some insulation in different areas of the hull to check the integrity of the wood or do some core samples of the wooden hull from inside or outside but the seller would never allow that. If core samples found rotten wood, the boat goes from $30K to $??. How does your friend from Wharram advise you at this point?
Rot, I wouldn’t even consider it for nothing .
Bedankt
Hi mate, The logistics of this yacht would make it a money pit. Run as fast as you can.
That’s a lot of work and without family support and with a language barrier, doable but not easy
Hoping you choose a Wharram. Great design and helpful community from all I hear. Thanks for the share and Merry Christmas!
Will get It right.!!! Amazing plans. You have long time for this adventure. ..
You are right about the location, it's far from ideal, tropical climates seem great at first glance but to work in those conditions is hell ! You will need to get the boat out of the water that's for sure but it is not a boat you can live on while you do the work so you will need to pay yard fees and accommodation fees and your guesstimate of a 3 month refit time is highly ambitious even with a dry workshop !
First you will need to ensure all the work that has been carried out is sound and doesn't need to be redone but that is a complete unknown and you need to be sure. Second you will need help for much of that work and third you are going to need tools, yes it can be done but not by just anyone.
Fourth, he knows if he cannot get rid of that soon it's going to be scrapped, he is in a hurry, you are not !
I just wanted to add that I can see the potential of that boat and can see that it might not need a lot of work to finish it but then I see things like the electrical system which is non existent and realise that outboard motors will not contribute any power for the batteries. Then there are 2 outboards, that doubles the hassle and cost of parts and maintenance. You can't rely on a couple of solar panels so you will need a generator for power and generators need fuel and maintenance. There is a serious lack of fresh water tankage and those outboards probably use small 20 litre fuel tanks and of course outboards use petrol and on it goes !
The owner got tired of banging his head against it and after spending lots of money dealing with all kinds of logistical nightmares in a tropical environment which eats or corrodes everything that isn't carefully protected he has had enough and I really don't blame him, it's not an enviable job !
Yes, this is not a three month refit, it is years of struggle.
@@ian-c.01 I suspect the final outcome would be yesterday's unreliability of electrical power, navigation shortcuts, terrible rigging, dangerous fuel, double-trouble outboards, freshwater shortages and general grottiness.
The previous bird jumped ship, Mark deserves better but this boat will not attract it.
@@alexandermenzies9954 I know Mark reads the comments and understands that most people are trying to help, he also takes note of all the information provided and acts on it especially if it is negative !
He also realises that other people sitting on their sofas in very different lifestyles will have a very different viewpoint than him and may not always be able to provide information that helps.
If it was me I would only ask one or two close friends or people I know with a great deal more experience than me because there is no perfect boat that will be accepted by everyone who posts comments on his videos !
I think that's why he ended up with his last boat, he knew he had to make a decision and someone he trusted said it wouldn't take too much (for 2 people working together) to get it back in the water ! Many people advised against it but he ignored them !
@@ian-c.01 I would guess about 90% of people are advising against this particular boat.
The boat as it is, the lack of plans, the cost of any imports (and there would be many), the god-awful outboards, the horrid rigging, nav gear, fresh water storage, decent cooking facilities, the attitude of the "agent", comms gear, ...........
No diesel engine for back up including electrical generation, hugely expensive batteries,
Mark is buying for 2 people, one of whom we and he have not met but the basics of safety and attractiveness will always rule.
Hi Mark, There is a Tiki 38 for sale in Florida $20k Looks pretty goog and in a good location
Holy crap been waiting for this!!!!
Mark , if this trip to Costa Rica make happy , even you feel lonely just follow your heart , happiness is around the corner . God bless you , and good luck with the boat .
Run as fast as possible and go home. Have a nice Christmas.
Thanks!
Mark: I think you already know from your own past experiences that spending more than about half of what you have saved on buying the boat itself is not a good idea, given what you will need to do to make it seaworthy and livable. I would explain that very frankly to the seller and, if he won't come down by 50%, I would walk away. Otherwise, you will be stuck with a broken boat, 5,000 miles from home, no way to get it to a better climate, no money to fix it, and unable to speak the language. But you have probably already made the decision by the time you read this so, best of luck with whatever you decide. We're with you regardless.
Thank you for this new episode. Am glad you are taking us back with you on your new adventures and Wow what a beautiful ship. I understand it gave you a headache.... "What should I do now?" 🙂 By now I am sure decisions have been made. I am very curious to hear and see them in your new video. Cheers mate!
Mark,… I admire your dreamer attitude,..but, as a sailor that’s been around the Sun 65 times, I can’t help myself and would recommend that you respectfully walk away from this project. The right boat for you is out there, but I don’t think this is it. Patience will pay off for you, without the stress, and remoteness from family and strong support systems. Happy holidays to you and your folks!
Hi Mark, Merry Christmas and safe travels. I love your passion for finding the right boat. Remember this quote "The greatest enemy of a good plan is the dream of a Perfect Plan". All will work out in the end. If it is meant to be you will know. Sleep and rest is your best friend. cheers
Mark, Be patient and wait for the right one. If wharram is the boat for you I would make sure it is already in basically sound condition. This location and the many unknowns of this boat look like trouble. Cats are fun but not for solo.
My first thought when you were looking at Minkie was “run a mile from it and quickly”. My first thought looking at this boat is run two miles and even faster. Not just the work involved but it’s location and everything that brings.
However, I was wrong with your last project and if you do decide to take this one on I sincerely hope I’m wrong again, but this is a monumental challenge on so many fronts, the main one is the location in my humble opinion.
I’ve watched your adventure from you first trip from Wales and will continue to watch with with great interest.
Good luck Mark. 👍
Minky was a piece of cake compared to this.
There is something not right about this deal. As you did I watched Minke from day one to splash . I hope Marks Dad talks some sense into him.
Same here. I've been on this journey watching this channel evolve from when it had no more than a couple hundred subscribers. Every single video right from the very start. Mark should run miles away from this boat. If he doesn't this boat will break him mentally, physically and emotionally.
Hands off, evening you get it for free
@@weichsand99 I would not take it for free.
No!!! Happy Holiday's! Kinda with Aron on this one.
It pains me to say this but I think you're better off holding out for another option. I have no doubts that the boat would be manageable but it's the logistics of the location that would kill it for me. I also feel that if something happened while youre away, that could be the end of all your money and your dreams. You're young and have plenty of time. Buy a mono like the Sparkman you looked at, cross the Atlantic and then you can spend time cruising out there looking for your dream wharram at your leisure.
I think the boat looks awesome. Not sure what I think about the twin masts though. Definitely looks like a lot of work but doable. The location will be a challenge. Costa Rica is one of the more expensive countries in Central America. And also one of the harder ones to cruise in. I'm in utila Honduras on our way up to Rio dulce Guatemala. There's several cheap cats there right now as well as a couple of wharrams. It's a cruising boat repair Mecca. You should check it out before you fly all the way back to England. I would definitely want to do the Caribbean before I am braved the Pacific. Good luck Mark we're rooting for you.
Yeah...Rio Dulce is a good place. Many use it for boat repairs. Parlay did.
God it’s massive! Proper waterworld stuff that Mark sailing solo. Amazing boat but I think you’ll need your Dad a lot to make it work.
Lots of 'Project boats' all around the globe just waiting for the right time and the right guy... Keep looking XOXO
46 ft is a large boat , especially one with 2 hulls . Lots of wood maintenance .
get the boat kiddo.thank you for your time videoing your journey. you can do it
I loved your last cat and was really happy when you decided to get it. I love this one even more. I would be a bit concerned about what the condition of the hulls is like behind that insulation though.
I can see the attraction and as a RUclips project no doubt it will bring many followers as it would be interesting to watch. From a practical point though it is a big undertaking and that rig setup would not be the easiest to handle single handed in rough weather. The owner has obviously spent a small fortune of money and time on her but it does seem to need a lot more of each to complete. Can't wait to see the next episodes. Good luck
Run their is way better deals out there ..be patient the right boat will come 🙏
Can you see yourself on it in a big storm? would it take care of you? that would be my first question. I think a boat that dont right itself after capsizing is not where I want to be on a storm. I hope you go for a soling monohull. good luck mate!
Good comment, people buy cats thinking they have lots of extra space in the hulls then they go and overload them and lose the speed advantage they had and in the worst scenario risk pitchpoling in a following sea because the bows dig in because of the overloading.
4:37 Mark! You're never alone! Me for one is right there with you, as are loads of us.. We might be invisible to you, but we're right there with you.
Check every inch of those hulls inside and out, especially under water tanks and toilets, should lift some of that insulation and check for condensation, I bought a plywood cat in the 90's and checked best I could but on my first sail in the north sea the bottom fell out under a sealed in water tank, it had rampant rot and despite rebuilds kept returning every five years, I gave up and sold it after a few years.
Run, Mark, RUN!!
I have to say that you pretty much said it yourself on the drive down - if you could move your whole crew to CR for a year or two to undertake this rebuild, it might be a wonderful experience you remember for a lifetime, but if you’re undertaking to do it all yourself this project seems very likely to overmatch you. This isn’t the only Wharram in the world looking for a new owner for another chapter of adventures, in your shoes I would keep looking.
I really hope you take your time with this decision.
It's almost definitely going to take a lot more time and money than you think.
Good luck.
A location is a logistical nightmare. You should automatically double your budget because the import taxes there are pretty steep. Although this would be a very interesting build nonetheless
Navigating the Ocean is child's play in comparison to navigating ourselves...
I hope you find your way and then you'll find your boat: it won't work the other way around...
All the best for Christmas
🎄🎄🎄☃️🎄
Just my personal opinion. Taking into account what has happened over the last few months, have you thought about just taking time out and looking at either going to sail as a part of a crewman or another option, especially since you plan to build your own boat, look at apprenticeship either in UK or US. Leo, who owns the Tally Ho is in WA, and that shipyard has a great wooden ship building program. Leo learned in the UK, as did Finn, who also did work on the Tally Ho before going back to the UK and starting his own RUclips channel and restoring his own boat while working at a boatyard. That way you are around like minded people and not out there alone. Just a thought. Always better with friends.
Great advice, Mark is still young and has many years to gain experience and learn new skills, helping another project would teach him so many much needed skills and give him some very valuable experiences which will set him up perfectly for the future !
Theres also the Team Sailcargo in that part of the world building their massive sailing transport, but i cannot remember which coast they are on.
Man what an Adventures to look at a boat in Golfito, spent a couple years ago a few weeks there , we were sailing to Panama City from there and through the canal into the Caribbean, I loved Golfito I like the people of Costa Rica, warm hearted an a bit crazy, if you are looking for adventure no problem, your life is an adventure anyway, the boat thing you are the guy to manage that one, will take some time but as the Costa Ricans say Pura Vida
I agree with many of the comments Mark, keep looking closer to home.
I see in the first minute. A lot of epoxy work already. Go for a monohaul! Greetings from Spakenburg, the Netherlands.
Keep Yoshi, skip this boat. . . don't worry we are here for the ride regardless if you are sailing, repairing, or just vlogging. Best of luck, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Huge decision bro, take your time, it's a massive project in a very difficult place. I wish you well man, whatever you decide I'll look forward to whatever endeavour you undertake but this one is a biggy. Have a great Christmas and New Years.
Even though there is practically no sailing, this is my favourite sailing channel on RUclips right now.
Follow your dream mate and you will have no regrets, whatever the outcome. Money can always be made and you will meet someone new on your adventures, the future is bright!
Yes the dream/nightmare! Reminds me of the "huge"- to me- 24' outrigger canoe I built at 16 in my Dad's garage. I was gone a couple years and when I came back, he had sawed it in half so he could use the garage. So I built a 16 foot proa, and sailed it everywhere in the SF BAy Area. I've had huge boats since then, but always true is that smaller is so much easier. Good luck!
Two big downsides are location and not being able to access the insides of the hulls due to the foam insulation, I would keep looking for something in GRP perhaps and more local
Please get a shipwright or surveyor to inspect the boat you choose. You could head to the shipyard where Yaba is getting a refit. I think it's in Brazil. Cheap labour
I would say go for it if it was in a better climate or somewhere like Panama or South Africa where you had easier cheap access to epoxy and materials. But the fact it’s a moist climate and remote would make it a no for me.
Hang in there buddy. It'll get better soon! I promise!
I would think long and hard. It looks to me like it would take at least purchase price again to get it in sailing condition, much more to get it offshore worthy. My uneducated guess would be $40k to $50k USD to get it put together. And then think that it will be a couple years before you can go sailing. Added: It would make for an interesting RUclips to watch while fixed up. Again quite a long time and pretty expensive to get it ocean ready.
You will know what to do either way we will enjoy watching your journey
Hi Mark, I'm a big fan of yours and have watched your journey from the beginning. As someone who genuinely wants to see you realise your dreams of crossing oceans and seeing the world, I implore you not to buy this boat. It will break your heart and your bank balance, that is just a really hard fact. There is a reason the other boat you mentioned is 150k. There is no place for romance when it comes to this purchase. If and when you get it to a sea-worthy state in a few years, the running costs and maintenance will be a nightmare. Nothing about it makes sense for what you say you want to do. There are so many better options out there for you and closer to home. Make life easier not harder. Please take this with the best intentions and not as someone who doubts your ability, it's about wanting to see you succeed. Lastly don't take the fact the seller (who I'm sure is a great guy) being open and transparent as a positive signal to buy, quite the opposite, it's just he has a conscience. 2023 is your year but don't rush, think about it, you're betting the house on this thing. Take care and happy Christmas.
Mark, you already know alot of the joy you got with minki was sharing the work with your partner. This doesn't seam to be a place where you will meet and make new friends. I would look in places you already speak the language and have opportunities fill out your life with not just a boat . Good luck on your quest. Merry Christmas.
PS All of the channels I follow where there is joy, seem to have two people making and sharing it. Go where opportunities for all aspects of life are plentiful.
Hope you had a great trip man but i am a man of few words.
This boat looks like it could soak up so much time & money. omo.
Have a great Christmas bud. Keep well. 8 )
Firstly, hats off to you, you are a brave man and I admire that.
They always turn into bigger projects. That is not the climate to get the work done you need.
It does seem worth doing, but not there.
I would look at disassembly and shipping her in a container.
Likely £10 perhaps but cheap in the long run if your gut tells you she’s the one for you.
Best of luck, follow your intuition, you’re more than capable of the task but it could break you where she is and will easily take twice as long as you anticipate.
I'm no expert, but I would not walk away from this, I would run.
I have to say it's not a bad time to take a break from the weather we're having in old Blighty this December. I've done so myself.
If the hulls, beams and at least one engine check out buy the boat, do the absolute minimum to move her somewhere dryer. Sailing around the world with a dog is a big issue, many countries make it extremely hard to bring a dog into, and even more are not happy to have the dog onshore. With a boat that size it is unlikely you will need to sail solo. Wharrams are extremely capable boats and easy/kind to sail.
I sailed on a 51 named Chipiquima once in Port Townsend which had a huge rig, what a boat
I've read a lot of the comments below and there is a hell of a lot of good advice there regarding the boat, logistics, handling such a big vessel solo etc etc. My point is about Yoshi. I was in a position where I had no choice at the time but to leave my dogs behind. If you are anything like me, and I think you are in this regard, it will eat you alive. 45 years on and I still think about it daily. Don't do it mate, unless you can leave him with family while you are away. Good luck and merry Xmas.
Mark, I am currently in Palau on a Morgan 37. I'm. Headed to the Philippines first of the year. Your welcome to come along if you want to see what a great single handed boat is. You can find these for about $5000 to $15000, or it's. Big sister the 41. Super stable and so much room.
Dan
Looks like a lot of work…. Please be careful , Mark. I think you should continue the search.
I think the pirate ship style sail boat would suits you too a tee… it’s got lots character, it would be a head turner using it on your U-Tube show. Hope you get it before it’s gone
The problem isn't the boat. The problem is Costa Rica. It isn't leaving there for a looong time and you have zero support. Language, logistics, supplies, safety, it's a lot. I'd only do this if there was a community to tap into. Foreign boaties, Costa Rican youtubers, ex-pats, something.
Yeah. Honestly that’s the only problem. The boat is a such a beauty. Still not 100% sure what to do
Totally agree. Logistics are the issue here. But it could be a RUclips worthy adventure to get the boat of your dreams. Lot of thinking to do...
@@WildlingSailing You know 100% what you shouldn't do though and that's why it's hard to justify grabbing this 'bargain'.
This was my problem with my boat in Scotland, I could only get there at weekends and if the weather was bad, most of the time. I couldn't get the work done to sail it back. I ended up selling for a loss and getting a boat closer to home.
Some dreams are better not coming true in my opinion, at least not yet. You might want to think about sometihing like an up-and-running Sadler 26 in the UK for half of what you are going to spend on that...
A lot of people seem to be forgetting that this is also about creating an enjoyable YT channel not just finding a boat. Wharram is obviously your dream boat but you should build one yourself in the UK. Learn skills from others, Get your sailing qualifications, do deliveries and crew on others. Film it all to add sailing content while you also film the build. You will end up with a boat you know inside out.
Go to Sarrasota ,Florida and I think you could find a boat as cheap or cheaper with the ease of getting materials much cheaper than Costa Rico
I totally agree with other comments , it's time for stepping back and taking your time and not rushing foolhardy into something you will have a long time to REGRET
A Happy Christmas and more fruitful New Year
I expect by the time you posted this, you probably know what you are going to do? Its not as bad looking as i thought, its already got a double cruncher, enough room for a galley and a ready built editing station. It really depends if this is really your dream boat compared to a almost free 30 something in Florida. The logistic thing of it location would be my main concern. Seems your choices of boat yards are either in Mexico or Panama, and that requires a seaworthy boat. Any boat is stress, not as bad if its your dream boat.
Hi Mark, I tend to agree with the comments made, although its your dream boat I don't believe that its this is the one. The logistics to get her ready to sail would be a huge challenge. Patients, there could be a boat closer to home before your dream boat, you have time
Mark, the Sailing Melody team are about to sell Melody in favour of a slightly larger boat because Melissa is pregnant and Melody is for 3 and not for 3 + newborn. Why not ask them for a price as its most done and going to splash in April?
It would be the greatest cross-over video ever!
I bet you watch all these restoration boat jobs 😂. I too watch sailing Melody 😂
But then he’d have to redo all of their “work”
Mark is not looking for a motor-sailor.