I sailed on her with Matt last week. Unfortunately he didn't take me up on an offer to rig her and to sail her with him the spring he picked her up. He and his brother motored off on a day with beautiful sailing weather (15-20 knots) and promptly raised the main into the spreaders ripping it badly. She is still rigged wrong with no reefs set up. She was a mess. We cleaned her up and took her out in about 10 knots of wind. I had her trucking right along with the rail in the water no problem (to Matt's surprise), but the genoa lines definitely need to go outside of the shrouds.
I will be tough to get a hold of tomorrow, as I am in FL taking care of my Mom and will fly back tomorrow. I'll try to call when I return to work Thurs. Also be happy to take you sailing on my boat and shoot the breeze. I have been down in FL for most of the month and am dying to get out on the water ASAP. Also, I live in Northborough and work in Marlborough (you said you are in Central MA), so if that is convenient we can hook up after work nearby (if it isn't sailing weather of course).
She is a solid starter boat, very roomy, dry inside and stable compared to a smaller boat, however her performance in very light air is hampered by the 100% jib. She could use a larger headsail in the light summer air prevalent in Boston Harbor. I told Matt to do what I did...sail her and have fun...as nobody will have more fun per dollar than you on that boat.
I sold her because my Wife told me in no uncertain terms that buying a $3000 trailer for her was out of the question. I planned to do so to reduce my annual sailing costs, which with her, was mostly the annual winter storage bill. I told her she was being unreasonable, as the $3000 would be recouped in two years. She said that she didn't have to be reasonable...so reasoning that it was only going to cost me $300/year more in winter storage I bought my 30 footer
instead. It was my original game plan to cut my teeth on Solara. I figured that if I couldn't sail and care for her I didn't deserve to buy better. But I could and I did so there you have it.
The previous owner pretty much went the same route...only he traded her on a Catalina 30 and then moved up to a Hunter 37 Cutter.
Matt doesn't have the battery connected properly. The running lights on deck work, but as I recall, neither the steaming light nor the anchor light are working. I replaced the main halyard about three years ago and the bilge pump and wiring two years ago. I also redid a bunch of terminations at the panel that looked flaky. The solar panel is a god send on a mooring and it works well. I replaced the tiller about three years ago and put about six coats of varnish on it, but it is time for a few more. I bought the 8hp Evinrude used three years ago after someone swiped my Johnson 9.9. It is extremely reliable. I rebuilt the water pump when I bought it (better safe than sorry) and converted it to remote controls.
No real problems with the hull/deck other than what is visible, although at the price I never went hunting for wet deck core. I'd expect some given her age and condition. The previous owner dealt with some delamintion in the keel (not unusual in a boat with an integral keel) and then barrier coated her about ten years ago. I saw no subsequent problems and couldn't even find the repair, although you may if you strip the pettit hydrocoat ablative on her...she is close to needing that done and would benefit from it. There are a few small pits around her waterline the size of a pencil eraser. She was left in the water for an extended period of time before I got her and I think she had some barnacles that took some gelcoat with them when they came off. After watching her for a few seasons I raised the waterline an inch or so to stop a skirt of weed she kept growing and it seemed to do the trick.
I never recaulked the chain plates and they are likely due. The jib had some repairs (due to a screw up) and has plenty of life left in it. The main he has on it is short. I'd get the original fixed or buy a new one. New sails for her would do wonders and would be about $1200-1500.
Its a shame that Matt didn't make a go of her. I hope you do better.
Bob
