So how many times have you guys responded to this topic? I'm considering a 1979 37C. I understand the lineage there... I've read all the good, bad and ugly. But it seems to me these are issues any boat of it's vintage would have ie. leaky ports, core issues (if it leaked), noisy bulkheads...etc. I also understand a thorough will probably make me reconsider... but, here is the deal. It's 12K!
My co-captain and I have just finished a complete restoration on 1970 McGregor V222 (see "And so it begins" under the Mcgregor Sailors Forum for pics and to get an idea of our capabilities - we documented the entire nearly two-year process). We learned a lot and since the McGregor was my third boat project, we both consider ourselves pretty handy with resin and paint (Hell I rebuilt the entire keel). That being said, I ended that project by saying "never again." Now I know all boats are work, I know this one will be too. But, is it worth it? Unlike the McGregor that we spent way too much on (and knew it at the time) will this one go up in value if we make improvements? Example - We spent approximately $3500 on a free McGregor V222, I did because the sails where relatively new and the canvas on the pop was brand new and I knew my capabilities. Though at the end of the day, I spent $3500 on a $2000 boat (you get my point). That was ok with us, a lot of the expense was the trailer and motor... and if I had known about the encapsulated iron keel I would have run away, but that's another story. Point is we spent the money with eyes wide open and at the end of the day we have a fine weekender trailer sailor and will keep her forever. But, if there is, in fact a "never again" in my future we want it to be something that holds it's value or at least increases value with our upgrades.
Finally, our intention is to sail her where she is on Kentucky Lake and eventually (post-retirement), cruise her for three or four months out of the year and maybe even do the Carribean / Bahamas. So, let me have the good, the bad and the ugly. What is the equivalent of the dreaded McGregor encapsulated keel on this boat? Understanding that the equivalent would have more zeros on the final number at the end of the fix. Let me have it...
My co-captain and I have just finished a complete restoration on 1970 McGregor V222 (see "And so it begins" under the Mcgregor Sailors Forum for pics and to get an idea of our capabilities - we documented the entire nearly two-year process). We learned a lot and since the McGregor was my third boat project, we both consider ourselves pretty handy with resin and paint (Hell I rebuilt the entire keel). That being said, I ended that project by saying "never again." Now I know all boats are work, I know this one will be too. But, is it worth it? Unlike the McGregor that we spent way too much on (and knew it at the time) will this one go up in value if we make improvements? Example - We spent approximately $3500 on a free McGregor V222, I did because the sails where relatively new and the canvas on the pop was brand new and I knew my capabilities. Though at the end of the day, I spent $3500 on a $2000 boat (you get my point). That was ok with us, a lot of the expense was the trailer and motor... and if I had known about the encapsulated iron keel I would have run away, but that's another story. Point is we spent the money with eyes wide open and at the end of the day we have a fine weekender trailer sailor and will keep her forever. But, if there is, in fact a "never again" in my future we want it to be something that holds it's value or at least increases value with our upgrades.
Finally, our intention is to sail her where she is on Kentucky Lake and eventually (post-retirement), cruise her for three or four months out of the year and maybe even do the Carribean / Bahamas. So, let me have the good, the bad and the ugly. What is the equivalent of the dreaded McGregor encapsulated keel on this boat? Understanding that the equivalent would have more zeros on the final number at the end of the fix. Let me have it...