Diamond in the Rough?

Looking at any collection of aging sailboats tarnished by years of sailing, sun and salt, it would be easy to be dismayed by their loss from active sailing fleets. Yet many sailors know some boats simply are beyond repair. But in the right hands, some of these boats can be brought back to life.

Under all the grit and grime there are some shapely lines, untapped potential and the possibility of inexpensively helping someone start a lifetime of sailing. We were recently reminded of this as we visited the boneyard of a local yacht club clearing out a small fleet of unclaimed boats. We’ve seen this scene time and time again at clubs, marinas and storage facilities everywhere — we hate to see them go.

What should the world do with these abandoned boats that are congregated as if on a lost island of toys? Yes, the dump is one option, but what if there is that chance for a fresh breeze and a second life? If you have witnessed the resurrection of once-proud small yachts to their glory, we’d love to hear how your club or storage facility has connected old boats with new owners. Email us here.