Hey friends. I'm at a bit of a crossroads. I'd like to do some coastal cruising, make a trip to the Bahamas, and spend some time living aboard and adding a +1 at some point. I have a Hunter Cherubini 25 with 8hp outboard in a TX lake slip. Most of what I hear is that an inboard diesel is ideal for coastal cruising, so I feel like this freshwater maiden may be best to keep where I believe she's been her whole life and pass along to a new owner here. Agree or disagree?
I love the boat and enjoy spending time on her, sailing, and doing various projects. Local prices: Slip $350/mo, Haul-out $500, dry storage $100/mo. She needs a bottom job, and though the PO said bottom was done 2 years ago, that's as much of a lie as "no leaks" was. Plus, the marina shop must paint the bottom in gold leaf at the rate they quoted me, so it's a DIY for sure. I have a vehicle that can tow this 4400lb beauty, but I can't find a deep keel trailer under $3000. I'd love to find one for $1000, is that so unreasonable? I'm considering a dual-axle frame + mounting a sailboat cradle at this point, but ideally would find something that could ramp-launch (feasible?).
So what would you do? 1) Try and sell locally at a way-under-market price given the demand and fact that bottom job is needed? 2) Find a trailer to bring her out of the water, keep her, and do the bottom work before passing along or finding a new home after my coastal cruising bug is satisfied? or 3) Do something else that I haven't thought of? Thanks for your advice!
I love the boat and enjoy spending time on her, sailing, and doing various projects. Local prices: Slip $350/mo, Haul-out $500, dry storage $100/mo. She needs a bottom job, and though the PO said bottom was done 2 years ago, that's as much of a lie as "no leaks" was. Plus, the marina shop must paint the bottom in gold leaf at the rate they quoted me, so it's a DIY for sure. I have a vehicle that can tow this 4400lb beauty, but I can't find a deep keel trailer under $3000. I'd love to find one for $1000, is that so unreasonable? I'm considering a dual-axle frame + mounting a sailboat cradle at this point, but ideally would find something that could ramp-launch (feasible?).
So what would you do? 1) Try and sell locally at a way-under-market price given the demand and fact that bottom job is needed? 2) Find a trailer to bring her out of the water, keep her, and do the bottom work before passing along or finding a new home after my coastal cruising bug is satisfied? or 3) Do something else that I haven't thought of? Thanks for your advice!