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

Couple of friends are going thru a divorce. Last bone of contention is a sailboat. They decided to sell it and split the proceeds. Asked if I wanted to buy it.

I've sailed some small boats...I'm talking Hobie cats and the like.

I can get an essentially free slip 3 blocks from my house. The boat interior was nicely restored two years ago. Its neat with a salon, v-berth, galley, head etc. Yarmar diesel inboard. Sails are tired but serviceable...I ain't worried about racing it.

Am I crazy to purchase this to use as a stabbin' cabin?

FWIW...it has been sitting idle for over a year pending the divorce settlement.

And they're offering it to me at an insanely low price IMO. Likely bghecause they bith know I'll let them use it from time to time.

sounds more than right..
free slip..
good price..
you've sailed...
it's close by..

Rika

Is this what you're talking about?

Senorita e

Looks like fun.

32' is a good size boat, manageable alone but can carry 4 or 5 pass. the helmsman boats seem to built in Sweden or Germany, so probably good quality. Check out the condition of the equipment. It probably needs a haul out, read money. the costs of ownership can add up quickly.

It does sound like you can get into it painlessly. will the dock rate stay so low? Do you like puttering around the docks and doing projects. Do you like sailing?

May be some good bars on the waterfront. Its a mostly male world, a bit better than motorsports tho.

Cheers Richard

Where are the pics?

on the bad side, the womens like boats and sailing and weekends on the water. get more womens i'm told.



On the plus side I'm told the happiest days with a boat are the first day you own it and the first day after you sell it.


Of course, I'm just a gloomy gus, nice looking boat!!! (if that is the boat)

Looks like fun. I'd still get a survey, I've been through a POS boat and dont wish that on anyone.

Yup...that's its exact twin.

Only reason I'd talk you out of it would be so I could buy it. Seriosuly. I've been wanting to upgrade.

I'd snag it if I were you and you're not afraid of the maintenance. Only way to buy a boat is used.

Stabin cabin Ha, crack me up!

I've looked at it and it needs cleaning up since it hasn't been used in over a year...I've actually been out on it once when they were together. They would tell me if they new of any problems. Have the keys to iy and will maybe try to crank the engine. Hell....if it runs under power I may never raise the sails...lol.

Its on nice sized reservoir lake that can be shallow in spots ...I think it draws over 6' so you have to be careful.

Does $3K sound like a deal? They're tired of paying yacht club dues, insurance, etc.

As far as bars on the reservoir, that's where I can get the free slip...friend of mine runs it. He's actually asked if he could go in partners with me on it.

Yes

What year? What comes with it?

On the surface that sounds smoking. Numbers that low make me want to inspect deeply, but the fact you're buying it from a known entity decreases the pucker factor.

Everything they used to sail it. I think its a late '70's-early '80's.

$3k?

Like many of us I'm sure you've spent a lot more and gotten a lot less out of it.

Write the check.

LOL...the price of entry is not what concerns me. Its what I got to pay to play that worries me.

I would pop on it. A boat is "a hole you shovel money into" but this sure sounds like a good deal.

I'd get a survey unless you want to use it only as a floating cabin. Even then, you'll get a better idea of what it would take to bring it up to a standard you would choose. And with a survey you can find out if there are any hull problems (blisters) or problems with the deck (soft spots, bad chainplates, etc.) How are the sails?You'll spend at least another $3K to get a replacement set new. Does it have roller furling? How is the standing rigging? Has it been serviced at all? Any fraying or other issues with the rigging? What about instruments? Do you care about instruments? Also, check the engine and how easy it is to service. Replacing sailboat engines are normally not a lot of fun. Again, $3k is a steal if the boat is at all well-equipped.

If it gets too unmanageable I guess I could part it out on eBay and scuttle the hull in the middle of the lake...lol

A survey is a definite. Sails are tired with a patch or two that I recall. No roller furling. Rigging seems to be fine on cursory look. No instruments really other than compass/radio/etc tht I recall when I was on it...not reaally important in this pond as the sailing area is probably 4x4 miles....alwys in sight of the shore.

Like I say...I would be used for little more than a weekend cabin that I could walk to.