Is this a good deal?: Aquarius 21

[jimq26]

Good post tkanzier - you nailed it!

This boat probably sold for $2500 to $3500 brand new back in '73. The present owner is asking way too much for an tired old boat. Did you see the part about the "original Barlow winches"? Tell him to include the motor and the furling and offer $700 for it all. If he doesn't grab it - walk away. Too many other much better deals on boats are out there. Remember the old saying - there's one born every minute.

 

[CPTCarl]

What should I do...

I will go see the boat and I will look/tap carefully for any give in the fiberglass. I will also check out the centerboard. If I think the boat has a wet core, then I will walk away. What would you offer this guy if everything looked dry?I am still not sure if this is the boat that I want. I am looking for a trailerable boat with some speed that is capable of a comfortable overnight trip, in a similar price range. I want to go to a few local lakes (Jordan, Waccamaw, Kerr) and a few semi-protected waters (Pamlico Sound, Chesapeake Bay). I am in Raleigh, NC: if you guys know of any nearby deals give me a heads up. I was also considering a SJ21, thoughts on those boats?Carl

 

[Fred Ficarra7897]

Carl, unfortunetly the best test for a boat comes

after you own it. After she's secure and you've turned and walked away, do you glance back at her and feel good?I can't imagine looking back over my shoulder and feeling good about an A21. Out of the nearly 5000 brands of boats available in this country, that one is next to last on my list. Last is a Rienell. Demand $2000 from the owner to take it off his hands! :{

 

[TimCup]

I'd go a different way-

$2000 is not alot of money these days...shoot, it's probably not more than 4 or 5 hundred in 1973 dollars. I think you you should spend 3k, not 2k, and here's why:Boat needs to be hauled. Yes, you have a trailer, but it has centerboard issues, which requires EXPERIENCE to fix on the trailer, or paid to be hauled.You have a guy, the PO, that knows the boat inside and out- use his knowledge- let him fix with you helping- you'll learn a bunch, better yet, develop a relationship with him. As your 1st sailboat, you'll need guidance occasionally; who better than the PO?The boat is 35 years old. LOTS of changes from the factory, and this guy knows them- that's worth alot, too.You'll need a motor- he's more likely to help (read: take less for) with the motor if you guys become friends. And you will become friends: owning a sailboat in this speedboat world makes you a member of a fraternity whose members go great lengths to help each other, even when our opinions differ so much. This forum is proof.Buy the boat. It won't win races, but the difference is maybe 1 knot- thats barely one mile per hour difference!

 

[Ross]

Carl, in 1973 I was working as a mechanic in

a Case tractor shop and making 3.75 per hour. That comes out to 150 per week. Today they are paying 14 dollars per hour for grass cutters. 2000 dollars for a boat that floats and sails isn't a bad deal. The present owner will be delighted if you tell him that you would like his guidance when you are fixing the things that he has noted as needing attention. I know that I am always pleased when someone respects my experiene enough to ask for my guidance.

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

Legitimate arguments could be made for buy,not buy

but I would look at it relative to other items. For two grand you could buy a big screen tv and fifty pizzas-you will get fat and only watch sailing. Or you could buy an average riding mower and never get around to sailing. Or you could buy the boat,learn from it,and take your friends on some adventures that they will always talk about and in the end you will view as priceless. If you end up loving sailing, buy your dream boat and already have the skills to not bang it up. If sailing is not for you, sell the boat to the next guy that comes along (it should only take a minute)

 

[higgs]

I have been watching...

..this thread. The boat looks to be in good shape, but I have seen better deals. This one has no OB, which adds $1k to the boat. Add that to the $1k of work that needs to be done and you have a $4k boat. For that money, you can do better.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Minor Leaks ?

"Minor leak at gudgeons, just an annoyance that keeps carpet slightly damp "This may be a lot more serious than just an annoyance, not to mention the other leaks. I also cant believe you fell for the crap about "There is available a 1984 Mercury 7.5 electric start... but I’m having separation anxiety over it." Give me a break. Consider all that is wrong with the boat that you know of and then ...what about the stuff you dont know of?For about $2500 you can find a beter boat than this with a reasonably working O/B. Listen to some on here and you will be working on your project for a long time. Want a project? Re-do the kitchen cabinets at your house. Want to sail? Look for a better boat.Like I said, $2500 should get you a 21 foot sailboat that you can sail and motor the day you buy it. Or.................you can have a project that will cost more time and effort than its worth. If this is going to be your first sailboat, SAIL IT !!!!You will get to know your boat much better if you sail it on water than you would if you work on it in your driveway.Tony B

 

[Jim]

Hello Ross

How do you think this forum is going?I see a lot of great input. Looks like Carl did a good job weeding through all the posts.

 

[Michel16053]

A good deal?

I don't know where you are located, but here, in the greater New York area, are loads of boats in the 20-22 foot size in far better shape at a lesser price. Also there are no minor leaks which do lead to possible rot and delamination. The price is way too high for what you have to do to the boat and trailer, and what about that '84 outboard? The man has separation anxiety? He should get a wife.

 

[Ross]

Gosh Jim , I am overwhelmed by your concern for my feelings.

I am quite pleased with the forum and when I am not I can express myself so that I am well understood.

 

[Jim]

Ross, that is what I am saying excatly

we are on the same page.This was a nice forum.Over all we can see some reasons for being suspect of a neglected boat.

 

[Brian D]

Let's turn the page, shall we?

Any decision CptCarl?I agree, I think you could do batter. Maybe find a Catalina 22 on a trailer. There should be a ton of them available. Not knocking the A21, but...

 

[Jim]

Brian, some of us like an

SJ-21 too. Very nice boat. Much faster than a C-22!

 

[bffatcat]

its a junker

Talk about deals: This guy must have been dreaming about someone like you to come along. If you like to work tell him you will take the boat off his hands for nothing save him the cost of breaking it up. Said before: There are hundreds ofsound boats around for less. If you dont believe me call the maritime academythey are selling off sound boats that were donated

 

[48dodge]

I have the stereotypical story

Don't do what I did. Not that I'm totally unhappy with how things turned out. Anyway, I was looking for a boat in the same range as you. Same price range, too. I found a Catalina 22 for sale a bit out of my range, but it was sitting for a while at a boatyard, but it was ready to sail. I asked the yard if he thought the owner would come down on the price, I offered less than that and told him to get back to me if that was acceptable. No word for a while and I ran across a decent Oday 222 that needed a little bit of work to get in the water. It did have some extras and an outboard, so I offered a price and got it. About 2 weeks later, the boatyard guy called me back wondering if I'd gotten his message that the seller would sell at the price I offered which was less than the Oday I have. I've enjoyed working on my Oday, but having a boat that is ready to sail is worth quite a bit. I'm not too upset with myself, because originally I was going to build my own boat, so I do get to enjoy a bit of that experience as well. Good news is I am most likely going to get the hull wet this summer. So, keep your eyes out, have someone that knows boats look at the boat and that won't get themselves carried away. It's tough not to see a boat through rose-colored glasses when it's your first purchase. And it's easy to justify the boat as "only costing $2000". Sometimes even a free boat can be very expensive.

 

[CPTCarl]

I passed on the boat

I decided this boat wasn't for me, too many what if's. I am now looking for a more common trailerable boat (Catalina, MacGregor, San Juan) in a similar price range. The search goes on, I found two, tell me what you guys think (don't steal 'em!):http://www.219records.com/sailboat/http://www.sanjuan21.net/msgs/8276.htmThe Catalina is a big drive. The San Juan is pretty dirty. If you guys have come across any deals near Raleigh, NC, post them. Thanks for all the input in regards to the A21.

 

[Fred Ficarra7897]

Whew!

As the Coast Guard would say, another 'save'.

 

[Paul Brinkley]

Check with American Sail

just east of Zebulon off hwy 264. They may have something or refer you to someone.Where is the Catalina? Looks pretty good. Why doesn't seller know if trailer has lights? San Juan trailer may be a concern. Charleston is a pretty good drive, too. Could be worse- I picked up my boat on Staten Island and brought it back to NC.Good luck! -Paul

 

[Jim]

I think you are making the right move

You'll have great support with the Catalina or the SJ-21. The spongy deck and center checks still apply for these boats.