She is ours... Tukki Bird

[AXEL]

Good old boats

I have a '77 Catalina 30, she turned 30 this year. If I do say so my self the boat is MINT!. Two years ago I bought new North sails and replaced her full canvas. Previous owner installed a Westerbeke 21. Her interrior is fullly varnished, we replaced the cushions, custom cabinetry throughout (I'm good with wood), added on hatches, the list goes on and on. I also put on a tabernackle mast step and she spends the winters in my yard. If taken good care of these old boats still have a lot of good life left in them. My boat goes out every weekend from May thru Nov. We cruise every summer, been from Cape May to Cape Cod and then some.

 

[William12213]

1978 IS OLD?

Waffle you must think my boat in and antique. I have a 1971 C&C 27 hull #16. Now I will admit her lines are classic and she might be a little over built like they did way back then! But, she is also fast, well put together and in great shape, actually I would happily put her up against any boat half her age. Newer doesn't always mean better or less work. If you buy a 1999 boat that was sunk in a hurricane that you were unawre of you have a pretty lousy boat, conversly an old boat that has been loved and taken care of it's entire life will be a great boat!Youth, it is wasted on the young!

 

[Ross]

Bietzpadlin is not "mint". I doubt that any

previous owners would recognize it. The windows have been changed to Lewmar- LLoyds certified port lights and hatch. The cabin layout is completely changed. The interior wood work is cypress, there is no formica. The companion threshold has been raised above the coamings. The list fills four pages in the project book.

 

[Waffle]

Sorry Guys, not too long ago

was the owner of a 1974 Clark Built SJ-21. That boat was always covered in the winter. It had solid decks, new windows and upgraded sails. I met a fellow on the net that wanted to buy it. I told him $2500 and not one penny less because I wanted to keep her. He snatched her up!There are exceptions to the rule, but sorry to say this Hunter 30 didn't look like one! SEADANCE it is not over until the boat passes an survey. You can back out at anytime. You can tell the broker you changed your mind, that simple. Do not get bullied into buying the boat if you really don't like it.We passed on a C-380 because of a crack in the keel stub. I do think a 70 boat down south is too old. The boat has to be cared for really well to fold up down south. The broker lost a $12,000 commission. He was not happy. The boat is still on the market one year later by the way!I like the Person. Looks very clean! By the way, I don't buy any boat with out a walk thru transom becuase I like to swim (1989 and up).

 

[Waffle]

Landsend, no it is not

you look pretty full too!

 

[AXEL]

devil’s advocate

Some one should play the devil’s advocate, Waffle’s it. That’s the beauty of this forum. I agree with him in that I thought the Pearson looks better (at least in the pictures). Maybe the location of that boat isn’t conducive for Seadance. The Hunter looks like it would need a lot of work to get it up to my standard, but then again I’m very particular about my boats. They got the Hunter pretty cheap,….. very cheap, hopefully they’ll get and honest survey and know if it’s a sound investment or a money pit. In any case, I wish them good luck.

 

[Waffle]

Re:devil’s advocate

I wish them luck too! SEADANCE, remember you can pull out without lossing your down payment becuase of the survey! The agreement should read a survey agreeable to the buyer. That means it is up to you. Talk to the surveyor and ask if you can stop the survey and pay him his time in hours if you don't like the way it is going!

 

[Brian D]

In this case...

A picture may not be worth a thousand words. Seadance has been looking at boats for some time now and I think, even though not a pro, she is a well informed buyer. If she feels that the Hunter meets her needs, aesthetically speaking, and is up to the task, all that remains is confirming the hull is sound.There is not doubt that Seadance knows how to walk away. She has done it several times already. And with that, I am sure she will do it again if she does not get that warm and fuzzy. I myself have been drawn in by photos just to find the keel bolts rusted heavily and cracks in the joint between bow and bowsprint. Walk away I did.

 

[Joe]

Waffle.....

...just what parts can't you get for an older boat? I've never had any trouble getting parts for my 1977 model Catalina. To my knowledge Hunter is still in business. It is my opinion that the older boats Hunter made are much more beautiful than the recent eurostyle models. By critisizing a sailboat because of its age you are exposing your lack of knowledge about sailboats in general.

 

[sailaway78]

Hey Seadance

I am going to be in Pennsacola next Tuesday, to help a friend with his boat. Would like to meet you and hubby if your in Pcola that day, and take a peek at the new boat. If you are going to be there at that time, drop me a line.

 

[RAD]

OK, my 2 cents

I have a 1978 ODay thats been well taken care of by me and its PO and just like any boat with age comes issues and thats the fun part cause you get to know your boat while you deal with the issues.My ODay has many projects completed to make it an up to date crusing boat and even though ODay has gone out of buisness I have never needed any part that I couldn't find on the net, most parts were made for Oday by leading marine mfg'sSundance got a great deal and can use the money saved to make her a better boat and look forward for the questions and info she'll be asking in the naer future.Congrats and good luckRAD 32 ODay Free Spirit

 

[Ross]

What this discussion really comes down to

is how you plan to spend your time and money.I have known men that trade their cars every three years without regard for the miles driven. They just like new cars! Some people like NEW boats and other people like boats that they have made theirs by minor or major changes. Neither is right or wrong. My yankee tight wad ways just won't allow me to sell something that I want and is still useful to me. If someone else sees life from a different point of view, that's ok, BUT DON'T try to make me wrong to justify your choice.

 

[sailaway78]

Seadance don't let

Seadance, don't let the naysayers about older boats bother you. An older boat that has been well cared for is better in my opinion than a newer boat that has been mis treated and/or abused. One thing not mentioned previously is that the older boats, all of them, are solid fiberglass hulls, as opposed to the composits common in the newer boats. There are advantages to the composits, but they are much more difficult and expensive to repair should something happen. And for you Ross, you must have more personal pride than I do. Yankee tightwad ways, I just call myself cheapskate.

 

[Waffle]

I have nothing against old boats

to be honest some of them have the most beautiful lines in the world. As for finding parts, you'll have more problems replacing parts on a 1990 boats than a 1970s boat. There are not that many part on a stock 1970s boat.I just want to let SEADANCE know she still has options. My dad, his friend and I were looking a an old boat in 1973 called Big Trouble. It was a 15 foot cabin boat with two large heavy dagger boards. My dad wanted to buy it because it was only $500. His friend said, "you don't buy a boat named Big Trouble". My dad said, "look at all the boat you get for $500". My dad's friend was right.SEADANCE make sure your not buying "Big Trouble" instead of "Tukki Bird". Get a GREAT survey and be prepared to say, "no I don't want this boat", if you have too! If you can an old salt for go with you when you survey the boat. Best of luck to you and I hope the buy the boat that bring you happiness!

 

[Waffle]

RE:What this discussion really comes down to

nothing at all to do with this. This is about buying the right boat at a fair price. I used the word old but there was a little more too it that that.Ross, your boat is a classic. Not all boat are build to that standard. I hope I don't start that one off. I have a 165,000 miles on my car and I want it to last as long as I do. The problem is the body is wearing out. I guess mine is too! Good thing the engine runs good.

 

[Ross]

Waffle, did you ever read Winnie the Pooh?

You sound like Eyore the toy donkey. "Oh don't worry, things will get worse." It is a wonderful thing when you know that the world doesn't care and you can stop worrying that the next person you meet is going to swindle you.

 

[Ross]

waffle your car is an adolescent.. My Volvo wagon

was built in '87 has 268 thousand miles ang my boat didn't start life as an ocean capable vessel. It was a cheap coastal cruiser that had the shape I wanted. You have or should have the ability to make any boat what you want it to be and you can not determine from half way across the country whether or not the boat that someone has selected is good or bad.

 

[Waffle]

Ross, I think that your boat has some

ocean capable vessel features. For instance the full keel with attached rudder are ocean capable vessel features. I know not all ocean capable vessel have them but some sailors consider them a blue water must have!My Volvo wagon with 268 thousand miles is pretty good. I read about a fellow that had a millions mile on his My Volvo. Volvo gave him a new car for the advertising. He used to go to Boston one weekend and Key West the next!I hope SEADANCE found a boat that wil make her happy. AC is $2000 to purchase and $5000 install. The $5000 includes the lower southern labor rate. It as much as $7500 up here depending on the amount of wood work.

 

[OId Salt]

Waffle, How often you think before you type?

Sure this is an open forum and everyone is entitled to an opinion. We all know what an opinion is. Everyone has one of them and some other part of the anatomyI laugh at almost all of your posts. Just love how you "talk" like you are some real offshore sailor.All one needs to do is observe your posts. Your attention to detail is horrendous. Seadance and others said the boat she was buying was a 30' Hunter but you make assumptions otherwise. It puts into question why anyone would ever listen to you. "Mr Kneejerk" response with half facts and less knowledge but bloviating like a Southern Politian

 

[Brian D]

Guys, guys, guys...

Come on, chill out. Some people need to get back on the water, and real soon. This is the kind of bickering that got Seadance's first post removed, by her request.