For the record, BierBarge, this fat boy was just urging you not to be cheap. Since like the boat and you obviously have the energy, you'll be sailing next weekend at this rate, and that's worth more than a few hundred bucks. Send pictures...
Well now that we have established that part of the attraction is the romance of the restoration... and not the worthyness of the purchase.... proceed.I'm somewhat of a masochist...
I am, indeed! The following facts are been considered: 1) I'm a masochist (see prior response); 2) Trailer is in excellent shape (galvanized and much newer than the boat itself) and is worth much more than my offer or his ask; 3) Standing rigging and spars are all in tip-top shape and have been stowed indoors; 4) Sails are serviceable, though I won't win any races with them; 5) the top deck and cockpit is in good form with no core rot. All of this translates into a boat that can be sailed as soon as she's unladen of her current liquid cargo.
Of course, all of this is dependent on the owner draining the boat and me confirming that none of the interior has core. I'm thinking of it exactly in this manner: if the interior contains no core, as I'm being led to believe, then there is no "restoration" required other than a power wash, a scrub, and a hefty dose of bleach. Naturally, there won't be any electrical but, since she'll only be on small, northwest Connecticut lakes, and I have no intention of overnighting or night cruising, it is a moot point. It's also small enough that sculling in and out of my usual launches would not be burdensome and therefore eliminate the immediate need for an outboard, thus the additional expense.
So here's the thing: everyone is saying RUN LIKE HELL, and I appreciate and share the sentiment, at least with the logical part of my brain. The romantic in me sees this boat as a being worth the effort
Cheers
If you are hell bent on a Mariner, at least do yourself a favor and check availability and price of similar boats that are sailable now. My quick search on sailboat listings shows a few Mariners with listing prices of $1000 to 4000 dollars. You are about to acquire a boat that will have to have the interior gutted, has no outboard, VERY questionable sails, and totaled electrical system and no telling what else is wrong with the boat until you dismantle it. You're going to be up to your ears in expense and time expended before you ever sail this boat. You have already stated that you are presently working on a project boat, so RUN away from this one.however, if you want to continue telling me to run, I'll accept that, too, for the entertainment value alone!
Cheers
This is unlikely, as these boats usually didn't come with an electrical system in the 70s, but it is possible and many owner install them. I have plans to do so myself, as I want to sail at night. However, there probably isn't much there to even worry about.totaled electrical system
Send pictures...
Don't know; however, Bier Barge stated that everything electrical would have to be replaced. Guessing that the boat must be rigged with at least navigation lights.This is unlikely, as these boats usually didn't come with an electrical system in the 70s, but it is possible and many owner install them.