Howdy all- sorry this is long, but i really need some input from you experienced guys.
My wife ( and friends) and I have really enjoyed the 83 H27 that we picked up, and apparently from reading the forums we got a "great" example of this boat for her age. Other than some blisters on the hull ( which were not soft, and are very common on our warm lake) that were sanded down and recoated when the bottom job was done, she has very few flaws.
EXCEPT...that I'm a little frustrated with her "fun factor" and would like more cockpit room..and need less cabin.
We've already sunk WAAY more money and time into her than I'll ever recover, with a laundry list of repairs and upgrades; many of which probably weren't even needed. I'd list them here, but this isn't a disguised ad for the boat...its a request for advice.
My choices are: Spend another (few) grand for self tailing winches, a downwind sail ( probably an asymmetrical ..looking at the Doyle UPS), a boom vang, a smaller wheel , and stern perch seats; and hope that the stern perch seats help cockpit crowding with 4 adults and a kid or two; or 2: see if I can sell or trade her for something in the 26-30 foot range that has more cockpit at the sacrifice of less cabin. I could also "possibly" convert her to tiller steering and remove the wheel pedestal entirely, but that would mean moving the motor controls as well.
She's a great boat for our lake, particularly given the 4-6 foot "Donzi swells" on the weekends in the main lake. I have a weird desire for an F27, though...probably shouldn't have watched waterword that 11th time.
If i were to sell or trade her; prices are all over the place for the older Bini's; and while people recognize her as a great design, the resale costs don't seem to support that. I suspect that even with all the work and upgrades I've sunk into her, I'd still be lucky to get 10-12K out of her locally; which may not get me into at least a 26' daysailor in good shape.
All we need is a true marine head, a berth, an ice chest, and maybe a sink, but prices are HIGH imo for larger "day sailors/ week enders".
Anyone out there have experience with the above upgrades to an H27; have some input to offer in general in regards to selling V upgrading, or anything else? One concern that I have is that I know the "Muskrat" is in great shape; and my limited budget may very well mean buying someone elses' problems...
Thanks!
My wife ( and friends) and I have really enjoyed the 83 H27 that we picked up, and apparently from reading the forums we got a "great" example of this boat for her age. Other than some blisters on the hull ( which were not soft, and are very common on our warm lake) that were sanded down and recoated when the bottom job was done, she has very few flaws.
EXCEPT...that I'm a little frustrated with her "fun factor" and would like more cockpit room..and need less cabin.
We've already sunk WAAY more money and time into her than I'll ever recover, with a laundry list of repairs and upgrades; many of which probably weren't even needed. I'd list them here, but this isn't a disguised ad for the boat...its a request for advice.
My choices are: Spend another (few) grand for self tailing winches, a downwind sail ( probably an asymmetrical ..looking at the Doyle UPS), a boom vang, a smaller wheel , and stern perch seats; and hope that the stern perch seats help cockpit crowding with 4 adults and a kid or two; or 2: see if I can sell or trade her for something in the 26-30 foot range that has more cockpit at the sacrifice of less cabin. I could also "possibly" convert her to tiller steering and remove the wheel pedestal entirely, but that would mean moving the motor controls as well.
She's a great boat for our lake, particularly given the 4-6 foot "Donzi swells" on the weekends in the main lake. I have a weird desire for an F27, though...probably shouldn't have watched waterword that 11th time.
If i were to sell or trade her; prices are all over the place for the older Bini's; and while people recognize her as a great design, the resale costs don't seem to support that. I suspect that even with all the work and upgrades I've sunk into her, I'd still be lucky to get 10-12K out of her locally; which may not get me into at least a 26' daysailor in good shape.
All we need is a true marine head, a berth, an ice chest, and maybe a sink, but prices are HIGH imo for larger "day sailors/ week enders".
Anyone out there have experience with the above upgrades to an H27; have some input to offer in general in regards to selling V upgrading, or anything else? One concern that I have is that I know the "Muskrat" is in great shape; and my limited budget may very well mean buying someone elses' problems...
Thanks!