... and another one ... $8000 in Cairns

[Ianb]

After a look today, let's say, ahem, this is one for the locals. Will give a more detailed report when I am back in Sydney.

[MelF]

Come on Ian, you can't leave us hanging much longer ... details please!

[Phillip]

Mmmmmm,

The asking prices on yachthub seemed to have drifted back into the mid teens.

Must be a lot of people looking, so if you find a bargin, jump in!

[Ianb]

Wildfire Cairns
It would be nice if boats could talk to you about their life history. I'm sure Wildfire has a long story to tell.

Cairns is an interesting place with lots of colourful characters. It is also home to many wondering and live-aboard “grotty yachties”. The current owner appears to have bought the boat recently to help a friend who is going through a separation. Said friend had previously been in a relationship with a slipway and boatyard owner. Provenance unclear. But hey, for what you are likely to spend if you buy it, probably doesn’t matter.

Money has been spent on this boat, but IMHO, more to make it a live-aboard marina boat, than restoration, and internal fit-out..

She is a Mark 2 which once had an inboard, but now in place of the inboard there is a battery pack. Where once there was a toilet enclosure there now is a sizeable fridge, and the toilet has been relocated to on top of the outboard well! Definitely a case of extreme ventilation. Makes no sense. Table area used as a bunk.

With the outboard well occupied by the toilet, the outboard motor is now transom mounted on an adjustable counterweight of bracket. Receipts are available for two motors, both it seems the same size, but one is double the price. A 4 hp on the transom is not my idea of a sound offshore installation.

It's hard to tell what has happened with this boat, but most of the wood has gone and what is there, shows signs of deterioration. I guess the humidity of North Queensland takes its toll on timber, plus possibly at some stage the boat has got wet in the cabin.

The boat has been painted both inside and out, so the gelcoat is no longer visible. Interestingly, even though it is a Mark two, there is no sign of an internal lining and the interior deckhead (ceiling to landlubbers), has a nonslip finish. There is a similar pattern underneath side decks. Perhaps so you can walk on it safely when the boat is inverted?

The standing rigging is of unknown age, however there is evidence of corrosion both in the rigging itself (some rust stains), and in the U bolt mountings. Some of the running rigging looks OK.

I did not get a chance to check the mainsail but was told that some new sails had been purchased. An old main was in a bag, and the main sailcover looked new, so that ties in. The jibs are old and hank-on, and there is no reefing system for them

This boat has had a lot of fittings added for life on board on a marina. Currently it is connected to shore power which is powering up the fridge and providing lighting as well as keeping the batteries charged. There is currently a wind generator fitted however apparently it is not included the price. There is a pressurised electrically powered water system feeding the cockpit shower and the sink. The original metho stove has long since gone, and in place is one of those ”exploding” $25 gas stoves.

The fore hatch has no means of locking or holding part open. The cabin is devoid of any wooden locker doors. Where some of the original timber bulkheads are in place, they have delamination.

There is also evidence of cracking in a number of places including window surrounds, and underneath the main load beam inside the cabin. With no rubbing strips on the side of the hull, I could spot some cracking in the external deck/hull joint, running from next to the shrouds up to the end of the fore cabin. However, could not see any cracks on the inside in this area. Lots of other evidence of a long hard life.

Hull has a beard, but might brush off, as it is only about 6 inches long.

If you are brave enough to sail offshore, there is even a Garmin chart plotter.

New bunk cushions have been purchased at a cost of a thousand dollars, However, the humidity in Cairns plus the use of the boat as a backpacker accommodation, have left a rather unpleasant odour of a mixture of stale bedding and cheap air spray. I spent the night on board, and I cannot say I enjoyed it.

In summary, this is a boat in fair condition, with a lot of work required to put it into a fully seaworthy condition, and not a candidate for spending the money to ship long distances, and certainly not a candidate to head out into the ocean as is.

Pics to come when I have the time.

[Troppo]

Ianb, ya story is a beauty, most interesting. Thank you for the rundown on the boat.

cheers

Troppo

[di_namic42]

Hi
Thanks for taking the time to write such a great and comprehensive report.

[phillipjmay61]

Yes I actually purchased that Top Hat, Wildfire. And yes it has required a lot of cleaning up, but eventually purchased it cheaply (a cheap boat) and it basically has a lot of features, that for the price was worth it (so far). The previous owner was absent and had it rented out to a back packer, plus a vagrant was living on it. Has taken me a few months to clean it up. Also had not been antifouled for 3 years, so had a sizeable growth on it. Cococonut Shipyard cleaned it up and I was pleased to see that the hull is solid. Had a small amount of osmosis, that was cut out previously but started to delaminate. This was repaired, so no osmosis in the below water level of the hull. There remains some spots on the above water level, however these will be removed next time it is on hardstand. Rigging was attended to 3 years ago by Coconut Shipyards, plus painted inside and out. The owner Roger, purchased it 3 years ago for a then girlfriend. The fridge was installed over the previous toliet area and moved toilet at stern. However it is not the outboard well, there must have been an inboard at one stage. I actually prefer this arrangement, as there is less stink in the cabin. I have put a bimini on the back and also have a canvas cover for the the back railing, which creates some privacy. Obviously not so good if you are under sail! The main and No1 head sail are the originals, but in good condition. No 2 requires new grommets, but I am not so worried as I will put a furler in place. I have already cleaned it up, touched up the external and internal paintwork. Nice non slip ceiling work, but also not really worried about that. I reconfigured the rigging, taking the main and jib halyard winches of the mast and placing them on the cabin roof, with a stainless steel reinforcing plate either side. getting closer to a true single handed set up. The outboard is Yamaha 4hp, 3 years old and hardly used. I bit painful where it is, however again the setup was installed by Coconut shipyard, so appears solid. At least for my usage in semi calm waters around Cairns should be OK. Now have also installed solar, AGM batteries, stereo system, 12v HD TV, LED lights etc. The boat already has, 150litre fresh water bladder, fresh water pump, deckwash, cockpit shower, Jabsco electric toilet, mainsail cover. Also fixed the front hatch, which just required some bolts and a lock. All in all, should be a comfortable local cruiser and a good way to spend some time tinkering and logging some nautical miles. Cheers.

[Troppo]

Well done Phillipjmay61! Great to hear your story of a Top Hat getting some tlc. I am sure it will be a lot of fun for you.

cheers

Louis
troppo

[Phillip]

Welcome aboard Phillip, seems you are already enjoying yourself.

[MelF]

Nice work Phillip; always great to see a Top Hat with a loving new owner.