The Prior Owner: Hero or Goat?

[Raymond Ortega]

Satisfied

I purchased my boat (1984 Hunter 25.5)from an older couple who had taken good care of it, but had to give it up for medical reasons. The structure and systems were fine and I was satisfied with their additions and improvements. As with any boat it's age, I have found several interesting improvements and additions to the chagrin of my "finanacial advisor". But, if the truth were known, I enjoy the tinkering as much as the sailing.

 

[Kay]

I guess I did okay

I bought my boat from an elderly man who bought it new. He and his children sailed it for many years, a 1977 C27. I am the second owner. The boat never had a vhf. The outboard motor is to large so he modified the transom and didn't modifey the the engine locker lid so it cracked. The bulkheads need to be replaced the vee berth cushions need replacement also. They say they never used the water tank I believe them. The galley water pump doesn't work. She needs new seacocks and thru hulls. The head is the old type and the hoses need replacement. The stove doesn't work. The compass was dry. The depth sounder works just mounted so the helmsman can't see it. The steaming light and anchor light don't work. There are lots of sails just had the genny redone and got roller furling for cheap. She is over twenty five years old something should be wrong with her. I only paid $4500 and the motor runs well. She was sailed from Annapolis to Portsmouth by a professional who sailed the heck out of her, waves to five feet! He didn't like the waves coming in thru the transom hole and the motor came loose to boot! Then the mainsail slides popped off and the cunningham broke loose *yks. He had a fine time out there. I was having kittens listening to his report from the boat as he used the cell phone to tell me what was happening! He and she made it and we will do fine, a little work a little more money it will be nice boat again.

 

[Pete ierson]

It was his pride, now mine

The boat was in fantastic condition. It was 8 years old when I bought it(1993). I've kept it in as good a condition possible. Upgrades accross the board, new bright work (varnish) full electronics, replaced many worn or wearing parts, interior as good as new. The only thing I threw out was the stove. I use Butane now. I've been accused of never sailing only maintaining but it is worth every minute to me.

 

[Rick & Dee]

Just in Time!

We have moved from a COMPAC 16 to a 1990 Catalina 22, wing keel. She looked good for the most part, and I was aware there were a few leaks...but come the torrents of rain we have had here in Texas, boy oh boy did she leak but at least it was from the top. We have been busy tracing them down and caulking. I guess the thing that suprises me the most is that there were so many leaks...and we still have the one at the mast to fix once we take her out and lower the mast. The COMPAC 16 is a 1984 boat purchased in 1999 (which we stil have and will keep). She had been sitting neglected for about 18 months prior to purchase but she had not one single leak...and actually not much of anything wrong at all. We have done a new bottom job on the Catalina, added some new hardware, i.e., boom vang, reefing system, etc...but all in all, now that she is ours, we do love sailing the Catalina and having a bit more room to boot. There is nothing like crawling around on a boat checking for leaks to get you really intimate with her. The boat has been given a thorough going over, and we feel like we know her pretty well. We named her "Coming of Age" because I feel that she is doing just that...after 14 years of existence she had no name, and I believe had not been loved as much as we love her now. She is finally ours regardless of the bruised knees looking for leaks! I would also like to say that there are a good many sailboats where we currently have ours slipped that are sorely neglected. I really do not understand how someone can let them just sit and deteriorate, paying so much for a slip as well. It is baffling to me...I am always running around securing their mooring lines, rescuing their sails after their covers have blow to bits...I do wish folks who do not maintain their boats would just put them up for sale and get on with something else.

 

[Paul Zetlmaier]

WHEN IS A GIFT A GIFT?

I got this Venture 24 free when the guys wiferefused to let him move it to thier new house.She's going to be a star though!(the boat)

 

[Roger (Ninette Manitoba)]

traded

I own a O-day daysailer II. I traded a friend this boat for a cedar strip canoe I had built. He had two other bigger sailboats, (a Siren and a C&C 24.Although it was in bad shape, he had never sailed it having picked it up at an auction sale for a few hundred dollars. He threw in an extra motor that he had picked up an another auction sale, and a spinnaker that he had bought used, but never used himself. The boat had not been shedded and was very dirty when I acquired it.I have since added spinnaker gear, a boarding ladder, compass, anchor, boom vang, anchor chocks, midship cleats, burgee, fire extinguisher, and plan to install roller furling. This was mostly stuff that had been stored for years from a previous boat, or stuff I had around the house. I also added a sleeping pad pulled from an old stretcher. It works well on the beach, under the trailered boat for repairs, acts as a cushion for the gunwale when it is careened, and fits inside the cuddy so that I can seek protection in relative comfort during a heavy downpour or hailstorm. (Heaven forbid!) I also use a GPS aboard, that fastens with hook and loop type fastener to the top of the centreboard trunk. I also carry an insulated water jug, tools, extra line, repair parts, extra blocks etc. I also added a topping lift and sailcovers. The boweye had broken years ago, so I made a hole through the forward bulkhead to access the back of a new boweye, and installed an inspection port to cover the hole. This access also allows me to reach in to the underside of the stemplate to attach the roller furling gear backing plate. I moved the motor mount from the starboard to port side, as this gave me better access to the motor controls including the starter recoil and gear shifter. As well there was need for cosmetic sanding and filling along the gunwale and hull amidships and ahead of the centreboard slot where years of wear had ground away at the gelcoat. I think it had sat out a few storms at a dock without fenders. The story goes that the PO had loaned it to a friend in the hopes that he would adopt it, but found it difficult to handle this boat and decided against it. There had been a previous repair made, but it had not been sanded smooth. I also added a pin to the fin of the motor so that it would strike the rudder first and prevent the prop from nicking it. I had to fill several cracks in the prop side of the rudder. I refinished the tiller, and replaced the cuddy hatch. I also added a strap to secure the cooler lid so that I would not loose my refreshments in a knockdown.I enjoy working on this boat almost as much as I like to sail her.The link shows a number of before and after pictures,a nd repair details.

 

[Sid Ballantyne]

Not Much Use

My 1981 Watkins was a step above a "project" boat when I bought her. The previous owner used her very little and for that I am grateful. I am still using the original sails which are in pretty good shape for 22 years old. I had to redo some wiring that was just old and corroded but the engine is in great shape and I have had a lot of fun doing all the little things necessary to bring her back to life and make her a wonderful little cruiser.

 

[Rick D]

Our Legend 40.5

..was kept in great shape. The ex-Misjudged was commissioned by H&S San Diego (I believe) both with the PO and us on the resale. They did a craftsman's job on the systems. Whomever did the cabinetry modifications did a great job. The equipment was excellent and the canvas work exceptional (she also has a full enclosure). The PO also varnished the interior himself. did a nice job. Since I'd done my V32, I was impressed! I am trying to keep up the good stuff. Professional maintenance, new sails, folding prop, updated radar and chartplotter, new cushions in and out, etc. She's no slip queen either. Rick D.

 

[Barry Loker]

Caveat emptor!

I bought my boat at almost the end of last winter. I had to wade through 2 or 3 feet of snow to get to it. One of the previous owners brought a shovel so we could clear enough snow out of the cockpit so we could get in. Watch out for the ice! Once inside I slipped on the ice there. There seemed to be short wires hanging from all the electical equipment. "We didn't have time to fix those." Still, 10HP motor, 5 sails, trailer, other people interested. The rudder gave me some concern but I figured I could fix that. But there are things you don't see. I was always puzzled by the amount of seawater in the bilges even at the mooring. Turns out that some prevous owner had installed a new seacock. In order to do this the hose from the cockpit scupper had been cut and reinstalled 2" short. It barely reached the new seacock and was clamped above the connection so even at the mooring seawater came in. Sailing back to my winter storage a week after Hurricane Juan I had to sail into the wind which was still much stronger than I thought it would be. The sea was alarmingly high too. Suddenly the tiller didn't answer. That rudder, which I'd never got around to fixing, had snapped off at the waterline having completely delaminated. This had all been hidden by fiberglass and anti-fouling paint. I could go on. I'm hoping to start work on her soon, the snow has gone, the air is getting warmer and we should be able to launch by the end of May. Ah, spring time in Nova Scotia!

 

[Al]

nice job

Iam the 3rd owner of a 87 Newport 30 and the 2 PO's have taken great pains to keep this boat in great shape. I looked at 6 others before coming back to this one. It's all we really want and need for crusing the Great Lakes

 

[Malcolm Young]

Roger - great job!

Roger,The old saying indicates it can't be done but you managed to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Your boat looks great! From the before pictures, it looks like you had a lot of work.

 

[Geoff Brook]

Forward and Aft Shore Power

I purchased my 1995 Catalina in 2001. The previous owner had installed forward and aft Heating/Air Condinioning units and done a great Job. The units keep the boat toasty warm on cold days and nice and cool on hot days. But... the most usefull add on he made was to install shore power hook up plugs (two of them)in the anchor locker.I leave the cables permanantly connected and just pull them out over the Anchor roller and plug them into the dock outlets when we dock. No more leading the power cables to the stern each time you want to hook up.

 

[O salt]

My Gain

Neglect and poor maintaince where my gain. I purchased a Benenteau First 345 In June of last year. The dull fiberglass, sloppy varnish on the outside teak, Interior varnish cracked and water damamged, and the floor stained, scratched and water damaged head did not work, Wind and Spead instruments broken. The cosmetic and mechanical condition of this boat allowed me to get a great deal. I am not a novice to boats and I knew what I was getting into. The amount I saved on the boat has not yet, been spent on restoring her, including labor.I am well on my way to having the boat in bristol condition. The Interior is restored, the hull and deck shine, and the systems are all working, along with new running rigging, head, Instruments, refrigeration, shaft and prop, AC Electrical panel and shore power breaker. I still have to repalce the teak slats on the cockpit seats and install the hotwater heater and HVAC. It is spring in the NW and it's time to go sailing.

 

[Jerry Anderson]

Great Boat

Boat was cared for correctly, All information was with boat inc work orders & records.. No suprises!!

 

[Drew]

Mr. Fixit...

My first boat was a six year old Capri 26, that I bought from a dealership who had taken it in on trade. By all appearances, she was in great shape.Not having bought a boat before, I allowed the dealer to hire the marine surveyor. That was mistake number 1!On her maiden voyage the engine overheated. When I looked at the engine I could see where the impeller drive belt had worn through a copper pipe that looked like it was straight from the hardware store. When I bought a copy of the engine manuals, I saw that the copper pipe was not original equipment.As time went on and I became more familiar with the boat, it became apparent to me that the previous owner was one of these guys who like to tinker, but really didn't have a clue as to what he was doing. He had added several pieces of electronic equipment, but never used proper sized wiring. He installed a dockide water system that couldn't handle the water pressure. He installed a hot water heater that would blow a fuse once the water was hot. The list was endless.When I outgrew the boat and was ready for something larger, I said the heck with it and bought one that was brand new. I didn't want to buy anyone elses problems.

 

[Bruce]

Prior Upkeep? Zero!

Although My Venture didnt look as bad as paul's did, The previous owner did no maintence at all apparently for several years. Teak hatch guides gray, warped and splintering-same for tiller. Turnbuckles stretched to the point of near failure. entire finish with a chalky look to it. It's lucky I bought the boat near the end of the season here in Jersey, or I might have sailed it one time too many before disaster. This boat, however, will be a real gem when I'm done with her. The rigging and hardware updates have cost me 1K to date.  On the other hand, When I sold my '67 daysailer with mohagany trim and tiller, It looked like the prettiest boat on the lake.

 

[Steve]

Hero!

Bought a '99 Catalina 380 recently off Lake Texoma. Surveyor told me that in his 15 years of inspecting boats, this was the second one he had found that was this nice. All work professionally done, maintenance done with records. The boat is better than new. Everything on the boat is immaculate. I'd buy this PO's old toys every time!

 

[Michael Clark]

GRRREAT BUY

When we purchased our 1983 H31 two years ago it was after a year to year and half search for just the "right" or close to right boat. We wanted at least 30 feet, wheel steering, standing head room and a list of other features. We found it in Temptress. The boat was lovingly cared for by the previous owners. (We purchased through the dealer that it was traded in for on a new Hunter) The previous owners took extreme care in engine maintenance, although we've had a few on-going problems with it the past couple of seasons. We feel these have now been corrected. They were not the fault of the previous owner. There was no delamination in the deck, an extensive sail inventory was all in great shape, the interior and deck were clean and well kept. Upon haul-out for bottom inspection during survey we found it to be free of blisters and recently painted. Bottom Line: We were able to find a late model Hunter that had been lovingly cared for with routine maintenance performed. We got a great boat for a great buy! I feel you can find great buys out there with late model or used boats as long as you do your homework. And above all, before you buy GET A SURVEY!

 

[Don]

Park and drop

MY only guess is that, many years ago, the past owner of my day sailer had had a very bad day. I mean a very bad day. That is the best answer that I have for the way I found the boat that I presently own. It was parked in the woods. No cover. No protection. The mast was off to one side, half buried under forest debeies, as was the boat. The cockpit was full of muck, leaves and sticks that had accumulated over the years. Our best guess is about 26 of them. The teak was rotted and the hull was cracked from the added weight inside. The trailer was burried in the soft ground below and I had to dig to find it. The good news is she cleaned up nice and after almost three summers of work and $ she is almost there. A labor of love.

 

[Jeff M21319]

My boats PO was way cool!

When I got my '89 Mac 26D last summer, she was in very good shape, other than needing a good hosing-down to get the dust off. The interior was spotless, the cushins looked almost new, he had just put a new battery in her the day before, and everything was in really good shape. He had also led all lines aft, installed clutches and made other small upgrades. When I got her, she was sitting on a trailer in his driveway, but he had already paid for a slip for her at the lake down the street, which he threw in for free. He took the boat down to the lake for me, showed me how to launch her, spent about 3 hours with me sailing her and then took the empty trailer to my house for me. He accepted my first offer, which was $1000 less than the asking price (which was already a good bit lower than similiar boats) and all the money I had! Then, get this, he calls me the next day (after I had prchased the boat) and says "Hey, I found a bunch of other stuff that goes with the boat, come by and pick it up". I hop in the truck and drive over to his house (he lives about three blocks away) and the driveway is full of stuff! There's a 150% genoa, a new, unused spinnaker, a spinnaker pole, 2 anchors, 300' of rode, 2 extra gas tanks, a VHF, a lifering, a bunch of lifejackets, oars, a boathook and a spare bilge pump! He says to me "Forgot this stuff was out in the shed, but it should have been on the boat. Sorry 'bout that". I couldn't believe it! He'd already let me have the boat for about 2 grand less than her fair market value, and now he's giving me all these goodies to go with her! So, not only did I get the cake, I got the frosting too!