66 Mariner
Henry: I purchased a 1966 Mariner in 2000. I keep her at a mooring in Oyster Bay. The interior seems to be the original for the most part. Respond through this website if you want to come out and have a look. I have the same interior as in the picture with a sink on the port side. The sink is inoperable. While painting the hull I wonder about the four thru-hull fittings. The only one still active is the seacock in the cockpit. There is one on the port side that seems to be an outflow for the sink. When I ever get around to stripping the hull to the gelcoat I will fill the unused holes. I am planning on removing the defunct sink and replacing it with a storage bin. I have slept on the boat a few times, and I have found that the cabin is comfortable as long as you do not try to do anything but crawl. What is the cabin flooring like on your boat? I have a sheet of plywood. The cockpit planking appears to be teak, but a former owner has painted it. The biggest problem that I have with the Mariner is the non-self bailing cockpit. I have a bilge pump with an auto switch and a solar battery charger, but there always seems to be an inch of water in the bilge. I am working on cutting up a 1970 Morsan cabin tent (blown out zippers and shredded floor) to make a cover for the cockpit. Altogether, I find the Mariner a tough but responsive boat that fufills my needs for solo daysailing with a margin of safety. My stomping grounds are Oyster Bay, Cold Spring Harbor, and Long Island Sound within a day's travel. I would like to take an overnight to Peconic Bay sometime, but my 9-month old son has complicated my sailing schedule this year. Poor old Dulcinea is still up on a cradle in the yard. Good luck with the interior! Scott "Dulcinea"
