In the YouTube video titled “What Happened and What Now? our SALVAGE SAILBOAT story | Expedition Evans Bonus,” Brett and Jade share their remarkable journey with their wrecked boat, a 2008 Benito Oceanus 49. They explain that their boat consists of a hull and a grid, with the hull providing hydrodynamic curves and keeping water on the outside, while the grid offers strength and structure. However, a catastrophic event occurred when the boat ran aground, causing the keel to push up on the grid and resulting in the separation of the two fiberglass pieces. Despite this, the boat was sailed for five more years until its true condition was discovered during maintenance. Now, Brett and Jade are embarking on an exciting salvage project, having won the auction for their dream boat. Although the COVID-19 shutdowns present challenges, they are determined to complete the project affordably and efficiently, using their life savings to fund their endeavor. So, let’s dive into their salvage sailboat story and see what lies ahead for Expedition Evans.
– Introduction to Our Salvage Sailboat Story
Our salvage sailboat story begins with our wrecked boat, a 2008 Benito Oceanus 49 three-cabin version with a shoal keel. The boat is made up of a hole and a grid, with the hole providing hydrodynamic curves and keeping the water on the outside, while the grid provides strength and structure. Both parts are made in separate molds out of solid GRP and then glued together, creating a strong bow.
Unfortunately, something catastrophic happened to the previous owner, Arbo, while out on a sail. The boat ran aground, causing the force on the keel to push up on the grid, flexing the hull and breaking the bond between the grid and the hole. This resulted in the boat being two separate pieces of fiberglass bonded together in a few places, with a big multi-ton keel hanging beneath it. However, despite the damage, the owner didn’t notice any leaks and continued to sail it for five more years until the fall of 2019.
It was during haul out maintenance and storage that the true extent of the boat’s condition was discovered. That’s where we come in. We found the boat on yacht salvage.com and it was the boat we had always dreamed of but couldn’t afford. It was just the kind of project we had been craving. We knew it would be an insane project, but that’s our favorite kind. We are committed 100% to restoring this boat. It has been a couple of weeks since we won the auction, and so far, we have torn it apart, cleaned it up, and had a good look. We can honestly say that we love this boat. It’s awesome!
One of the best parts is that we are right on schedule for our plan of buying a boat. After five years of talking, planning, and dreaming, we finally have our boat. However, we did not anticipate the COVID-19 shutdowns happening at the moment, which has affected our work industries. But, it also means that we have all the time in the world to work on this project. We are living off our life savings and most of it went into the auction, so we are motivated to complete the restoration as quickly and affordably as possible. With determination and the opportunity to dedicate ourselves to this project full-time, we are excited to see where this salvage sailboat story takes us.
– The Importance of the Keel and Grid in a Sailing Boat
In a sailing boat, the keel and grid play a crucial role in providing stability, strength, and structure. The keel, usually made of solid grp (fiberglass), is bolted through the hull and grid. It serves two main purposes: hydrodynamics and weight distribution. The hydrodynamic curves of the hull help keep the water on the outside, reducing drag and improving the boat’s performance. Additionally, the keel acts as a counterbalance, preventing the boat from tipping over due to the force of the wind on the sails.
The grid, on the other hand, provides the necessary strength and structure to support the keel and distribute its weight evenly across the boat. Made in a separate mold and then glued to the hull, the grid ensures that the keel’s force is channeled throughout the boat, increasing its overall stability. However, if a sailing boat runs aground or experiences a catastrophic event, the force on the keel can cause the grid to flex and the bond between the grid and the hull to break. This can lead to cracking in the grid and the separation of the boat into two separate pieces of fiberglass. Despite these potential risks, the keel and grid are fundamental components that contribute to the boat’s strength and seaworthiness, making them essential for safe and enjoyable sailing experiences.
– Discovering the True Condition of the Boat and Making the Decision to Salvage
Our wrecked boat, a 2008 Benito Oceanus 49 three cabin version with a shoal keel, has undergone a catastrophic event that caused significant damage. The boat consists of two main parts, the hole providing hydrodynamic curves and keeping the water out, and the grid providing strength and structure.
Unfortunately, when the boat ran aground, the force on the keel pushed up on the grid, flexing the hole and breaking the bond between the parts. The grid also cracked in some places. Despite not seeing any leaks, the previous owner continued to sail the boat for five more years. However, during a haul out for maintenance and storage, the true extent of the damage was discovered.
Upon realizing the boat’s condition, we decided to salvage it. We stumbled upon her on yacht salvage.com, and she was everything we had dreamt of but couldn’t afford. Additionally, it provided the perfect project that we had been craving. Although we knew it would be an intense endeavor, we are fully committed. Since winning the auction, we have torn the boat apart, cleaned it up, and thoroughly inspected it. We can honestly say that we love this boat. It’s fantastic! The best part is that we are right on schedule with our plan of buying a boat. However, unexpected circumstances, like the ongoing COVID-19 shutdowns, have paused our work industries, leaving us with no jobs but plenty of time to focus on our boat project. This also means we have the motivation to complete it as quickly and affordably as possible, as we are currently relying on our life savings.
– Challenges and Opportunities in Restoring the Boat
Our boat restoration project comes with both challenges and opportunities. The boat, a 2008 Benito Oceanus 49, was involved in a previous grounding incident, resulting in significant damage. The force of the keel hitting the ground caused the hull to flex and break the bond between the hull and the grid, leaving it in two separate pieces of fiberglass. Furthermore, there are cracks present in some areas of the grid. However, the inspection by the previous owner did not reveal any leaks, allowing them to continue sailing for five more years.
Upon discovering the true extent of the damage during a haul out in fall 2019, we took on the ambitious task of restoring the boat. Despite the challenges, we are excited about the opportunities this project presents. It is a boat we have always dreamed of owning but couldn’t afford. Additionally, it satisfies our desire for a project of this magnitude. We recognized that it would be an intense undertaking, but it aligns perfectly with our interests. Since winning the auction, we have already made progress, tearing the boat apart, cleaning it up, and inspecting it thoroughly. We have grown to love this boat and are thrilled to have it as our own.
Although the timing is not ideal due to the COVID-19 shutdowns, which have affected our respective industries and left us without work, we see this as an opportunity to focus all our time and energy on the restoration project. We are grateful to have the freedom to work on our boat day in and day out. The urgency to complete the restoration as quickly and cost-effectively as possible is heightened by our reliance on life savings, which we mostly spent on acquiring the boat through the auction. We are determined to complete this project successfully, utilizing our motivation, skills, and available resources. To conclude, this YouTube video titled “What Happened and What Now? Our SALVAGE SAILBOAT story | Expedition Evans Bonus” provides an informative insight into the journey of Brett and Jade with their wrecked boat, a 2008 Benito Oceanus 49. The video highlights the structure of their boat, consisting of a hole and a grid, and explains the impact of a catastrophic event when the keel hit the ground, resulting in the separation of the two fiberglass pieces and cracks in the grid.
Despite sailing the boat for five more years without apparent leaks, it was during a maintenance and storage haul out in fall 2019 that the true extent of the damage was discovered. Determined to turn their dream into reality, Brett and Jade found the boat on yacht salvage.com and enthusiastically took on the challenge. They express their love for this boat and the excitement of finally owning it after years of planning.
However, unforeseen circumstances such as the COVID-19 shutdowns have impacted their work situations, leaving them with ample time to dedicate to the boat project but also putting financial pressure on them. With their life savings now invested in the boat, they are motivated to complete the project as quickly and affordably as possible.
This video demonstrates the dedication and resilience of Brett and Jade as they embark on this ambitious endeavor. It serves as a reminder that even in challenging times, pursuing a passion and turning dreams into reality is possible with determination and perseverance.
