Buccanneer 27' sailboat

[Franklin]

What info can you guys give me about this boat (I believe it's at least 20+ years old). I met a couple on the Tenn-Tom who is planning on taking this boat to the Bahamas. They broke their rudder about halfway through from the propwash of a tug. They had one made there in the country town they were stuck at. They say it's stronger but I'm still not sold on it handling the Gulf Stream. Any other weakpoints beside it having an 9.9 outboard? I heard somebody mention that is was one of the weakest boats made. The couple is inexperienced and is willing to listen to good advice.BTW: I'm real

 

[Rick D]

Franklin: It's Been Done

I met a couple in Catalina who had cruised on their 27 Bayliner (Buccanneer) with a couple of small kids around the east coast of the US, Cuba and the Bahamas about ten years ago. They were on their way north to the Bay Area (SFO) when I met them after they had been cruising for two or three years. The boat was basically stock with some HD sails and rigging. Anyhow, it isn't what the boat was designed for of course, and just the word Bayliner will set some people spinning. So, it's probably doable even if you could give a thousand reasons something else is better, more durable, safer, etc. Which is a good reason I've spent more time and effort thinking and planning and prepping than just doing it, as have many others. Wish them good luck and suggest some basic checking of the rig integrity and safety gear, IMHO. Rick D.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

I dont believe Franklin is real !!!

Is this just another put-on?Seroiusly, I also think that boat is not quite up to the task, but like I was teling you the other day about my MacGregor 25, we didnt know that we weren't supposed to be out in bad weather like we usually did. Sometimes ignorance is bliss. I agree with Rick in that it is doable but not in the comfort range that I would want. In any case, they are the DOers and I admire them for that and i wish them only the best of luck. Actually, most boats can take a heck of a lot more of a beating than the occupants. When I was living in St. Thomas, I met a young couple that made it over from England in a 22 foot sailboat. If we never threw caution to the wind, I would not work offshore, Columbus would never have discovered America and man never would have ventured into space. Being too cautious and conservative has stopped many people from realizing their true potential.BTW, I'm on Helens laptop now, I'll e-mail you the video clips of the Gulf Loop Current tomorrow sometime when I get back on my laptop. Ciao.....Tony B