OK...talk me out of a Helmsman 32' sloop

[VincentVega]

Is there a charity that will take it off your hands? If so, considering your intentions, I wouldnt worry about it at all. 3k for a few fun weekends at the dock with maybe some sailing thrown in sounds like its money well spent.

You could take a dip and check the bottom for blisters but it's so simple to pull it out. Have it power washed and look for cracks and blisters. If you arent racing the thing it doesnt need to be perfect. Just make sure it's safe and enjoy it.

[Shadetree930]

Are we talking about $3,000 here? With free slip?

Pfffftttt .... just do it and become the pirate you were meant to be.

If it starts to go south, fire sale it and consider the loss as the cost of being a pirate.

[intakexhaust]

Realistically, you can never buy a boat cheap enough but if you have the slip for free, it's been out of the salt water, decent rigging, the pusher diesel is good, you're good to go. Some years back a friend purchased a bank repo like that for $1500 and was sitting in S.D. Harbor. He was completely green with it. It had a set of storm sails and we took it for a long day run looping Coronado. Fun for little money. Back in Chicago, lots of boats are used for weekender overnighters sort of like a second home without property tax and with plenty of city nightlife and events, it's great. Priced all over the place, and many like the one you mentioned are giveaways.

I've always played with stink potters but a bro-in-law is serious into sail yachting, up to 75 footer tall ship, steel hull. Like cars today, you can go nutz into electronics, motorized mast, riggings, you name it. Lightning strikes are fun to deal with! No matter what, figure lots of time to maintain. Go for it, have fun and be safe.

[intakexhaust]

Originally Posted by gt350mike

Love the name of the boat......definitely rendezvous with destiny!

Oh yeah, one more thing... never change the name of the boat, it's taboo!

[Dueller]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Pull the boat, Jim.

Cracks in the Gel-coat, seals around the shaft, etc. can only be spotted out of the water.

Here in Maryland, it is $20 bucks or so a foot to yank a boat and put it on blocks, which I recommend highly.

Baseline the thing BEFORE you buy it.

From the pictures, there is a whole lot of work that needs to be done to get the wood right, above the waterline up to speed, etc. Hire a pro to tell yo what needs to be done.

What you'll save in engine, fuel tank (old gas and I bet the blond owner never heard of Stabil), old piping and tubing repair, etc. is worth the price of admission.

Yeah...pulling it is the wisest move. Initial quotes are $650 to pull it (crane) put it on tractor trailer and take to a boat yard. Then Another $650 to put it back in the water. Plus working on a brother in law deal to have it done a bit cheaper.

She has a file of records for every cent they've spent on it and a log of all the work they have done to it. Saw a notation where I cut a piece of teak for them 4 years ago on my table saw that I didn't even recall until reminded.
The blonde was more kowlegable about maintenance, fuel stabilizer, elctronics, rigging than I expected.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Shadetree930

Are we talking about $3,000 here? With free slip?

Pfffftttt .... just do it and become the pirate you were meant to be.

If it starts to go south, fire sale it and consider the loss as the cost of being a pirate.

You bet. Then, when you need the motor to get back to port and the fuel line is leaking and the f'ing boat goes boom cause the vent system is inop, it's all good, I'm a f'ing pirate.

How old are you?

Get the boat surveyed, Jim. At the price point, you have room to do it right.

Edit: Saw your post, Jim. Good.

[VINMAN]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

You bet. Then, when you need the motor to get back to port and the fuel line is leaking and the f'ing boat goes boom cause the vent system is inop, it's all good, I'm a f'ing pirate.

How old are you?

Get the boat surveyed, Jim. At the price point, you have room to do it right.

Edit: Saw your post, Jim. Good.

Well put Paul.

An unsafe boat can kill you and the people on board. I've had boats all my life. Out on the water is one place I dont take shortcuts or go cheap.

[afterburn 549]

There should be a boat moving company there that can load it right on a hydraulic tailor..you can inspect it and or take it home.
No cranes needed.
gives you more options.
Only thing is if you take it home you will have to pull the mast while on the trailer..But most marinas can over come such little obstacles

[Dueller]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

There should be a boat moving company there that can load it right on a hydraulic tailor..you can inspect it and or take it home.
No cranes needed.
gives you more options.
Only thing is if you take it home you will have to pull the mast while on the trailer..But most marinas can over come such little obstacles

Unfortunately no such animal....not a big sailing community to support such a venture. No demand. Probably fewer than 25 boats this size or larger.

[intakexhaust]

Seems like a terrific find but everything about a boat is pricey and its best to be a hands-on person. Lots of cr@ppy marinas too. At a so called reputable marina in Ft. Lauderdale, idiots dropped my bro-in-laws beauty right before his eyes! Then they actually had the guts asking him to make the claim on his insurance carrier.

Right now your talking a $3k boat, free slip and supposably all the logs and records, fresh water which is basically a gift. How bad do you want the boat or is this just a lurk? Regardless, plan to budget. Now you have a $1300 quote to both pull it and launch. I didn't bother to look where you're at but assuming dry docking for a winter and if so, its coming out anyways and tell the owner to take part of that tab off the top and you pay the difference providing it meets your approval. What does she got to lose at this point? Take it out with the owner for a trial.

Once out, look that hull over real close, take a video on macro and start shooting. Look it over on a PC. Pull up access doors, under carpet if any, feel for soft floors - balsa rot stringers. If the bilge is dry and the boat has been sitting in the water, thats obviouosly a good sign. If that doesn't work and if in clear water, suit-up and snorkel with a water-proof cam. Cams are cheap these days.

[intakexhaust]

Get to know that Yanmar diesel and download the operators manual. Reliable and simple jap engine but make sure no diesel fuel is leaking, the filter / water seperator is all fuel only and the injection system is properly bled from any air. Black engine oil is normal. Also, most boats built in the 70's and 80's had horrible wiring... something else to consider on correcting or upgrade.

[Joe Bob]

You can always run a few bales up the coast from down south....just sayin'....