Nautor 43 Sloop - Blue Water Cruising

Between 2009 & 2013 the owner has spent approximately $180,000 in the restoration of this vessel!

The vessel was originally purchased by the present owner more than 16years ago, when it was almost 30 years old. the vessel, "Omuramba" has had a storied career, having early on been an ocean racer with a highly respected reputation. Subsequent to it's retirement from ocean racing, it completed a circumnavigation of the earth. The vessel was designed by Olin Stephens with Nautor Swan producing 67 of them between 1967 and 1972. For long distance ocean passages the hull shape is excellent, with a swept fin keel, a skeg hung rudder well aft, a fine deeply veed entry, and long overhangs. The resulting hull shape is very seaworthy and sea-kindly. Very few modern vessel are as comfortable at sea, less have the attractive lines, and none are as strongly built.

We have had many opportunities to examine this vessel in the past and have always been impressed with the durability of this vessel. The vessel was originally constructed 45 years ago, when fiberglass boat construction was a little understood medium. As a result, this vesse, and many other vessels of simular vintage, were extremely overbuilt, by modern standards. This resulted in very strong and durable vessels. We would doubt that very many of the vessels built in the present decade will survive 45 years.

During the time period between October 2008, and October 2009, the vessel was hauled and blocked at OxfordBoat Yard, where the vessel underwent a major restoration. The vessel was originally fitted with teak decks, which had been replaced once and possibly twice prior to the purchase by the present owner. Over the years the teak deck fitted had become very worn, and leaks inside the vessel had developed. After thoughtful consideration the owner made the decision that the sea kindly design and the robust construction justified the expense of a major restoration. As a result of that decision, the teak decks and deck hardware were removed in toto.

Soundings were made and core samples taken of the deck structure proving that the foam coring in the deck structure was still in very good condition. The deck surface was ground back to provide a good bonding surface and then overlaid with two layers of biaxial fiberglass cloth and polyester resin, restoring the watertight integrity of the deck. With the completion of the deck laminations, the entire hull and deck structures will filled and faired and then painted with Awl-Grip and Awl-Craft polyurethane paints. The teak decks were not re-fitted as watertight integrity and reduction of weight high on the structure was deemed more important than appearance.

Meanwhile, the mast, boom and rigging was completely disassembled and inspected. Numerous components were found to have deteriorated or to be suspect. If the component was found to be even suspect it was repaired or replaced. After all repairs had beed completed the rig was reassembled and painted with Awl-Grip polyurethane paint. New conduits were internally fitting to the mast extrusion. All new conductors were fitted as well as LED navigation lights. All of the standing rigging was thoroughly examined for integrity, with the replacement of one of the backstay insulators required. After the vessel was launched, the rig was fitted and properly tuned.

Mechanical restoration included replacement of the propeller shaft, coupling, cutlass bearing and stuffing box. The Max-Prop was returned to the manufacturer for reconditioning. The transmission was sent out for a major overhaul. New isolation mounts were fitted when the engine alignment was completed.

Subsequent of the major refit of 2009, the owner has continued to make improvements to the vessel. In 2010 the engine was removed from the vessel and rebuilt. At that time the fuel piping system was renewed. During the winter of 2010/2011 the electrical system was extensively refurbished. A new alternator was fitted. In 2011, the owner modified the vessel with the installation of a holding tank. Having been built in 1970, when there were no regulations regarding waste disposal, a holding tank had never been incorporated in the design of the vessel.

In 2013, was hauled at Independent Boat Yard, St. Thomas, USVI. At that time we were able to examine the vessel's wetted surfaces. During the course of that examination it was discovered that the bolts securing the rudder gudgeons on the skeg were severly deteriorated. To effect repairs, the rudder was removed from the vessel. During the course of our inspection it was also discovered that the originally fitted stainless steel engine exhaust thru-hull had developed a leak as a result of crevice corrosion cracking. The thru-hull was replace with a fabricated fiberglass unit.

With on the hard, the owner elected to replace most of the hoses on the interior of the vessel. A new thtu-hull and seacock was fitted for the galley sink drain. (with the installation of this seacock and thru-hull, all six thru-hull combinations have been replaced over the past 10 years.)

When the rudder was re-fitted, new steering cables were installed. The rudder stuffing box was re-packed. A new cutlass bearing was fitted. With the aplication of antifouling paint and new zinc anodes, the vessel was relaunched. At this time it was our opinion that the wetted surfaces were in excelent condition. In our opinion, no defects to the wetted were observed that in any way imperils the seaworthiness of this vessel.

in the valuation of this vessel we have taken the following into consideration: 

• The BUC Book valuation for this vessel is approximately $85,000.00. This value assumes that the vessel is original and in a condition as would be be expected of a vessel built forty years ago and reasonably well maintained.
• The owner has spent approximately $180,000 in the restoration of the vessel. While it can not be expected that the full cost of the restoration can be recovered, a significant percentage of the costs can be reflected in the valuation of the vessel. Although the painting of the vessel and rig resulted in significant expenses, only relatively minimal increase in value is achieved. But the cost of the restoration of the watertight integrity of the vessel and restoration of the rigging integrity is, in our opinion, almost fully earned.
• a search of the internet revealed several restored Swan 43's of simular vintage listed for $200,000.00 and more.

Accordingly it is our opinion that the vessel in it's present condition has a Fair Market Value of approximately $230,000.00

This vessel, by design and construction, is truly a blue water cruising vessel. Long distant passages can be completed safely, and quite comfortably in this vessel. Structurally and mechanically, the vesel appears to be in very good condition, and bearing grounding or other destructive forces should retain it's integrity for many years to come.

Above was written by Timothy E. Davis, Staff Surveyor at Davis Marine Surveying and adjusting, September 5, 2014

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