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Man Spends Five Years Renovating A Boat Only For It To Sink Within Minutes

Man Spends Five Years Renovating A Boat Only For It To Sink Within Minutes

What a nightmare.

Mark McGowan

Mark McGowan

Sometimes life just has a way of slapping you in the face. It just feels like now and again, that for no apparent reason, you're just going to get dealt a shit hand.

This has never really been more true than Richard Ogilvy's recent shit storm, when he wasn't just slapped in the face, but was also kicked, punched and spat on.

Oglivy bought a run down World War II boat ten years ago, with aspirations to refurbish it, make it seaworthy and sail to his heart's content.

Sadly, however, within minutes of finishing five years worth of work on it, the vessel sank. FIVE YEARS.

Credit: SWNS

The 75-year-old began working on it in 2013, spending eight hours a day doing things like ripping off the fibreglass deck. treating the wood and working on the engine.

On Saturday, when he was ready to take it on a voyage in the North Sea, he and his two sons had to look on as Sea Wraithe went down.

"Obviously I would have liked to see the boat remain on the surface. A boat is much better when it floats," Richard said. "But it was a life-affirming experience finally getting her in the water.

"Seeing the boat come out again was incredible and when we finally get it sailing in a couple of months we will be able to have a few beers, look back and laugh."

Credit: Caters

He's unwilling to divulge how much money he put into trying to renovate the craft, but claims it being next to his workshop did bring down the cost.

However, on the other hand he did state that he doesn't want his wife to find out how much money he original paid for it, so you'd assume he's quite a fair amount out of pocket.

"I'm trying to keep the boat afloat at high tide at the moment. The high tide comes in a night and I need to make sure the pump is running to keep the engine from flooding again," he said. "So I'm currently sleeping in my Land Rover at the harbour to make sure it's all OK. I've had four nights there now, but I get quite good sleep.

"There's only so much you can do before you get it in the water to try it out. So many people don't get that far, but then it's not a boat. I'm really proud we tried."

Absolutely gutted.

Featured Image Credit: Caters