Total Loss Recovery: Stripping the Damaged Jeanneau Arcadia 30 in Chichester

Damaged Arcadia 30

The Boatbreakers team was dispatched to Dell Quay in Chichester to handle the recovery of an insurance write-off: a Jeanneau Arcadia yacht. The vessel had met an unfortunate end, having either run hard aground or sustained significant impact damage to the hull structure surrounding the keel. This catastrophic damage had led to water ingress, resulting in the surveyor declaring the boat a total loss.The Jeanneau didn’t sink but there was enough damage to the hull that she wasn’t deemed salvageable.

The Jeanneau Arcadia 30 is a popular fibreglass sailing cruiser designed by Tony Castro and built by the French shipyard Jeanneau starting in 1983. Known for its distinct “European” styling and beamy hull. The Arcadia 30 was a successful production yacht with approximately 600 built.

It was offered in both a fixed fin keel version and a desirable keel/centreboard configuration. The latter allowing for shallower draft. With a total length of about 29.5 feet, the masthead sloop features a practical interior layout. This typically sleeps six and is powered by a small inboard diesel engine, such as the Yanmar 2GM20. 

Items to Salvage

Our mission was not just recovery. But maximising the salvageable value before the hull was processed for disposal. Despite the structural failure, the Arcadia held numerous high-value components. Our expertise in systematic dismantling allowed us to carefully strip the vessel of all reusable gear.

Among the items successfully salvaged were the propellor, the modern electronics package, a sprayhood, the deck winches, internal floor pieces and the entire mast and rigging. Crucially, we focused on the heavy-duty components. The damaged keel was removed, and perhaps the most valuable asset, the reliable Yanmar 2GM20 engine, was expertly taken out of the engine bay. The engine was then thoroughly inspected, secured onto a pallet, and quickly prepared for resale.

Yanmar Engine

The efficient recovery and dismantling process meant the valuable Yanmar 2GM20 was sold. It went to a happy new owner for their own project boat. Demonstrating how Boatbreakers can turn a casualty into a source of affordable spares. The swift clearance of the write-off from Dell Quay allowed the insurance claim to be finalised. While ensuring that as many components as possible are re-used.