Nimble 30 Yawl

[PascalG]

Yeah, the dark side is calling...

Need feedback on the Nimble 30 Yawl, late 80s vintage, centerboard.

We came across one for sale, fairly cheap, apparently sound but in need of some cosmetics... Playing with the idea of buying it, fixing it up and having some fun sailing around.

easier than getting our sailing fix on the hobie 16, ton of fun but trailering, launching, rigging, etc... takes too long. This boat would be on a mooring or anchored next to the marina and ready to go in a few minutes...

Any known issues to watch out for? I love the double end look, the centerboard is nice to get close to sandbars for a swim...

Hull is foam cored, any issues there? delamination? any idea what kind of foam they used?

We sailed over on the hobie to look at it this afternoon, a little rough but worth fixing. I love the classic lines, trunk cabin, double ended hull. has some nice touch like solid brass oval portholes. the little yanmar is little rusty but has recent dual racors and new priming pump... sails are fairly recent..

My only concern so far is corrosion at the bottom of the mast since there is some water in the bilge.

here is the question for our resident surveyor... how do you insure the foot of the mast is sound? how is it usually attached to the hull down there. i coudn't see any bolts or anything.

any concern about the center board? risks of leaks, cracks, etc...

 

[Brian S]

Pascal,
I've not looked at any Nimble 30's but here are my comments regarding your general questions.

"Hull is foam cored, any issues there? delamination? any idea what kind of foam they used?"
I don't know what type of core material it has, but delamination is always a concern with any core material, and if water has gotten into the core, has it caused any deterioration of the core?

"My only concern so far is corrosion at the bottom of the mast since there is some water in the bilge.
here is the question for our resident surveyor... how do you insure the foot of the mast is sound? how is it usually attached to the hull down there. i coudn't see any bolts or anything."
The mast should really be pulled to inspect the base. The wall thickness is important and if there is too much corrosion or pitting, the bottom is usually cut off and a block placed under the step to raise it by how much is cut off. The mast sits on top of the mast step, which matches the shape of the mast section, but is slightly smaller and fits up inside the mast. This keeps the mast in place and the weight of the mast and the tension on the rigging keep it down.

"any concern about the center board? risks of leaks, cracks, etc..."
The center board should be checked for smooth operation and any cracking in the board or the trunk of course.
The Nimble 30 is a nice Ted Brewer design and should sail good. Check the decks for delamination and the interior bulkheads for rot or separated tabbing. Has the rigging been replaced, if not it's probably time for new wire and end fittings. Check the chain plates also.
Good luck with it,
Brian Stetler, SAMS-AMS
By the way, I enjoyed the delivery cam also!

 

[Nancy]

Pascal,

My parents used to own a Nimble 25 Kodiak. It may even have been hull #1. It was a very sturdy and seaworthy craft, and they trailed and cruised it all over the country. It did have some problems with a weak wishbone structure where the rudder attached, and I know my father worked on the tiller more than once. He may even have fabricated a new one.

I realize the 30 is a completely different hull, and I assume you're going to sail it before you get too far along in the process. The 25, seaworthy though she was, was not a fast craft nor did she point up particularly well.

I can give you my folks' e-mail address if it would be helpful.

Nancy

 

[MacInCt]

LOL

 

[Al_Prisco]

Thanks for jumping in Brian! I myself have never surveyed one. Pascal, let us know how it all turns out.

 

[PascalG]

i don't know yet, we're still thinking about it... we have too much toys and not enough time so unless we get a parter so that the boat get some used we might pass on it... woudl be fun though... but between the Hatt, the Hobie 16, Naomi's horse, our cars and car clubs , there are only TWO weekend days a week!

 

[RickB]

In order to take your retirement early you have to get off work more often.