ut oh, not again, bought another good old boat

[sailormanbigd]

Well, just done it again. I am a hopeless romantic/dreamer. I was watching this boat for sail on ebay for $306. when 5 min before close i had to bid, so I bid $350, and noone bid against me. I got it for $333.43. It is a 1971 or 1972 westerly centaur 26ft. down in key largo,fl. it has a froze 20hp diesel of the 90's era, and a small hole in the side. I will be getting her in a week. Exciting, scarry. Now is anyone familiar with this boat? Is it really as they say a true "bluewater" vessel. Does it take a big sea, can I live on it? Is it worht spending a couple of grand on refitting/repairinng. I guess that all depends on the condition its in. It didn't look too bad.  My admiral wants to know why i bought another (i bought an oday 25 last year, not quite done fixing it up yet-too hot) project? Of course i told her the Gods honest truth...it is a "real cruiser", has an inboard diesel that i get to take apart and learn to repair, i can almost stand up in it-6ft headroom, i'm 6ft4, and it has wheel steering. I have never had a wheel boat-the one and onlt time i took the helm of a wheeled boat i did a complete 360 turn at night. Never felt the rudder. So, you guys no why i bough it right!? Could'nt pass up a good deal. If i get them all fixed up (i also have a mac26d) and sell them i could have a downpayment on a real boat. With big payments and everything. My plan is to sell everything pay off the debts and leave terra ferma forever. unless it is a sandy beach of course. Is this capable of this long soght after dream? ThanksPatrick

 

[Clark]

I think the big thing here is whether the engine

can be made to run OK w/o too much money. Wasn't clear where the hole was; side of engine or side of boat ;-)Prices on Yachtworld run from 8 - 14 K on this side of the pond for ones that look like are in at least fully functional condition. Keel config looks interesting. Good luck!

 

[flhunterdad]

You are singing my song

I too have recently been bitten by the same monster. Back in June I bought a 1978 Hunter 30’. I’ve lived in the same NPR area on and off since ’73 though never had a vessel to sail out on our beautiful Gulf. The vessel has some minor damage from Katrina and is still sitting in New Orleans. I’ve been trying to get the major repairs done there and possibly sail it back, though the boatyard it’s been resting at has been less then forthcoming with communicating the current state of the repairs that I have authorized. Biggest issue is that I’m currently deployed in the Middle East giving the Boat Yard all the cards (for now). I’m anxious to get her to Florida. But I digress, this is your thread and I’m jacking and I apologize for jacking it on you. I wish I could offer you more then my admiration and congratulations on your purchase. *5 I wish you the best of luck with your project and will likely run into you offshore or at the local West Marine getting parts and hardware.

 

[Rick D]

Tough Boat

I'm only familiar with them from 60's boat shows, and one in our YC marina, but they are tough little guys and certainly capable of cruising distances. All that is predicated an a proper rig, sails etc etc, of course, but you know that, right? Anyhow, enjoy, dig in it and start fixing (AFTER you fix and sell the O'Day, right?). Oh, and stay off e-bay until you're done with this one ;D

 

[48dodge]

Just looked at the listing

Looks like you got yourself a nice boat! The question is, are you going to take the guy up on his offer of a free night's stay at his cottage? Or do you think that might be pushing it? heheAnd what are you going to do about the $500 deposit?

 

[Bud22569]

Engine Brand & Model

What is the engine brand and model. Rebuilding the engine may be something you can handle yourself. There are several forums that are very helpful with trouble shooting and repairing / rebuilding old diesel engines. I was able to rebuild my old Yanmar with help from internet forums and Torresen Marine.

 

[sailormanbigd]

thanks for the encouragement

thanks all, i feel better now. I will sell the mac 26d first. I bought the oday 25 for 102.50 last year and i want to finish her a sail her a couple of times anyway, to see haw she sails. The westerly is reported to have a fist sized hole on the starboard side. I don't know the make of the motor, but will definetely try and rebuild it myself, when i retire to the cruising life i will do boat repair for spending money, diesel repair being one of them-maybe. I am not affraid to get my hands dirty.  The westerly centaur might just be solid fiberglass-no core, I'm not sure but i think i read it somewhere on the web. Has no-one out ther ever sailed one? Thanks,Patrick

 

[sailormanbigd]

freebee

oh i forgot, hell yes i'm gonna take him up on the free nights stay. Might need to stay two nights though. It's a long drive from New Port Richey to key Largo, will need to rest before turnning around and hauling her back. HEY FLHUNTERDAD: I know it really sucks to rely on someone else to fix your stuff. cars, boats, motorcycle, etc. I think boatyards are probably the worst. They give vague answers to dirrect questions, but what can you do. Have one of your service buddies in louisiana dress up in fatigues and pay the yard a visit, maybe with a sidearm and face camo. It wouldn't hurt if he would fake a nervous twitch or something either! I too have looked and even bid on a few storm boats on ebay. I have long dreamed of the delivery from AL,LA,MS. That it would be great to sail back home. I live downtown NPR. THe hunter 30 is a nice boat. See you out there.

 

[CalebD]

A friend of mine owned one of these

and kept it at the SE coast of England. They sailed it across the Channel to France which was a rather rough ride I heard. So this boat can take some punishment if in good shape. The twin keels make it a good candidate for shallow water areas as it can weather an outgoing tide while sitting on both keels without tipping over. You then just have to wait for the tide to rise!One drawback of this boat design is that it may not point upwind as well as some other designs. One reason why my friend sold his Westerly was that it had a pretty bad case of hull blistering. They kept the boat in the water year round as you might in FL. Good luck.

 

[sand sailor]

is that the one with two keels

i liked that one it wont tip over when you beach it

 

[Manny]

There was a Centaur at my marina

that a gentleman bought off ebay last year. It was a neat boat. He worked on it during the winter to take it down to the Chesepeake. I helped him move the old GIANT seized Volvo to a point where the yard could lift ot out with a forklift. That engine was huge. The mast and boom looked a bit undersized for a boat that size. One difficulty he had was replacing some turnbuckles, they were metric.He gutted the inside. There was a ton of room and head room.It looked neat sitting on its two keels. I guess the keels are steel since there were frisbee sized zincs on each one. I helped him a little when he was installing an outboard bracket on the back. He had to build some reinforcements for the bracket due to the glass being thin and flexible on the transom.My favorite part of the boat were the winches. They had the handles built into the bottom or you could use a regular winch handle on the top.Manny