any thoughts on timber hulls

Does anyone have any advice on timber hulls when inspecting? Huon pine hull with celery top pine decks.

Very good combination. The hull will be fine, Huon pine is the premier timber for hulls. The areas to check will be under the deck [deckhead] especially under the cockpit and under the side decks. The celery top is probably laid on plywood and its the plywood that can cause problems. The water gets in the end grain at the joins and causes grief.
Condensation is the enemy of wooden boats. Salt water is fine in the bilge but when it condenses on the underside of the decks as fresh water it can be a problematic. Check the area around the chain plates, main bulkhead etc. A lot depends on the design and the builder. Send a link and we can all be armchair buyers!

Cisco,
Is that your SS34 on yachthub? one there really cheap!

Unfortunately yes. My partner in the boat is unable to participate in the project so has pulled out.

I am selling it at cost which does not include the $9,000 spent on storage over the last three years.

It is a very viable project which when completed will result in a yacht worth considerably more than the overall cost.

I can hear you thinking "Yeah, well I have heard that before." but like you said, "Cost out the construction in Huon pine new at todays prices and you have $200,000 $160,000 in a $30,000 $18,000 package.

The yacht is complete with mast boom, and sails except for rigging and the hull and engine are quite sound. So buying this is like buying a kit yacht, putting it together and adding one's personal touches.

I have decided to cut my losses and concentrate on my Van De Stadt 34 which has a lot roomier interior and a "stand up" shower and head to keep the wife happy.

If it does not sell in the next couple of months, I will build a cradle and have it put in my back yard. Probably my best option but I do not see the yacht market coming good for quite a few years yet.

The way the authorities have gone with regulations and restrictions plus insurance requirements lately, yachting has become the domain of the dedicated and the financial.

When we motored past Mooloolaba last Wednesday we noticed that the W.A.G.S. fleet was only about a third of what it used to be. A fairly indicative sign of the times.

You wouldn't dynal sheave a huon yacht, or any planked boat for that matter.

Our ex-Tassie Cray boat is Kauri and is 60 years old and the only place there is any rot has been at deck level where rain water was getting in.

If you want to re-furb the hull I would be striping back to timber, re-caulking and then re-painting.

Have the name of Patrick Synge as a good surveyor in southern tas. Any thoughts or recommendations from you guys down that end would be appreciated.

Finally off the arm chair and living the dream!!