Abandoned boat not registered for 25 years and this Pennsylvanian takes a big risk on it
- A YouTuber rebuild expert bought an abandoned boat
- It was a Chaparral Signature 260 bought for a bargain price
- But with issues inside and out, it may have been an expensive mistake
Published on Mar 28, 2025 at 5:48 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on Mar 31, 2025 at 11:22 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
A YouTuber and rebuild expert introduced his newly purchased and formerly abandoned boat – a Chaparral Signature 260.
It was part of a larger yacht project and bought unexpectedly due to an amazing deal.
It was so cheap at $4,000 that it was too good to pass up.
However, bought without inspections, would it turn out to be a costly mistake?
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The abandoned boat: Chaparral Signature 260
A definite impulse buy by Jason of Rebuild Rescue, the abandoned boat had been out of service for over 25 years and hadn’t been registered since 1999.
“It hasn’t been registered for over 25 years… we’re not even sure how long it’s been sitting, when the last time it was in the water,” Jason said.
However, sadly, this was evident when he had a good look at the boat.

“These Barnacles are probably older than some of you guys that are watching the video,” he said.
The exterior definitely showed signs of saltwater damage. When the boat’s cover was removed, they found mold and damp but, fortunately no major damage.
The trailer that came with the boat was in great condition as well and added considerable bang for his buck.
Diving deeper
Going beyond surface aesthetics, Jason inspected the engine and found old fuel, corrosion, and disconnected batteries.
Despite that, he was hopeful the boat could be revived.
Now it was time to see what the starting point actually was.
The RR team struggled to start the engine, suspecting issues with the fuel system and electrical connections.
The fuel pump was identified as faulty, and they prepared to replace it while diagnosing other potential issues.
To their relief, after they repaired the fuel system, water pump, and other components, the boat successfully started.
“Everything seems to be looking good,” they said, proving that the financial gamble was worth splashing out after all.
That’s what we call a bargain!
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All Supercar Blondie contributors undergo editorial review and fact-checking to ensure accuracy and authority in automotive journalism. After gaining her BA Hons in French and English at the University of Nottingham, Amelia embarked on a vocational diploma from the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). This led to numerous opportunities, from interning at Vogue to being on the small team that launched Women’s Health magazine in the UK, which was named the PPA Consumer magazine of the year for three years running. As Health, Beauty and Fitness editor, Amelia personally received a Johnson & Johnson Award and was shortlisted for both PPA and BSME titles. Since then, Amelia has created content for numerous titles and brands, including the Telegraph, 111 Skin, Waitrose, Red magazine, Stylist, and Elle, as well as being Head of Content at Vitality and Editor in Chief at INLondon magazine. “My superpower is translating technical jargon about the mechanical workings of a supercar into a relatable story you’ll want to share with your friends after you’ve read it.” After joining the SB Media family as a senior journalist in September of 2023, Amelia’s role has evolved to see her heading up the SEO output of the editorial team. From researching the most ‘Google-able’ key terms to producing evergreen content - it’s been a time of hard work, growth, and success for the editorial team and the Supercar Blondie website. “I like to think of myself as a ‘method journalist’. In other words: I live and breathe whatever I am writing about. When writing about fitness, I trained as a personal trainer, and as a beauty editor, I completed an ‘expert’ in scent diploma with the Fragrance Foundation. “During my tenure at Supercar Blondie, however, I did something I never thought possible: I passed my driving test at the age of 36. One day I’d love to train as a mechanic to better understand what happens under the hood, too. “My sweet spot is providing readers with a ‘takeaway’ (read: something new they didn’t know before) after reading every one of my stories. While I don’t claim to be an expert in the automotive world, I know the experts and bodies in the field to rely on to provide our readers with an informative and thought-provoking story every time they visit the site.”