[Public-list] Anyone looking for a project A-30?

[William Wallace]

Hi Rachel,

I would like to echo your feelings!  I, too, have made some pretty good 
trips (4-8 hours) to look at boats described as yours was, and then 
found out that the "cosmetics" included, a stripped out interior with 
delaminated plywood and peeling paint and wasps nests, the shoal keel 
needed rebedding or repair, since the boat had been dropped off of her 
trailer, and the transom and other wood cored areas showed evidence of 
rot and deconstruction.

Our current keelboat, WATERMARK, is a 1962 Philip Rhodes designed boat 
similar in size to the Pearson Ariel, or a smaller version of the 
Pearson Vanguard. Rhodes and Alberg shared some similar design 
preferences...

I perused yachtworld.com two years ago and turned up my little Seafarer 
Rhodes Meridian.  The web photos showed a boat that looked solid, but 
as the broker mentioned, needed some real cosmetic help, since the 
mahogany coamings and cockpit seats (also locker covers) needed major 
refinishing.  The ad mentioned the boat had a Volvo inboard and many 
bronze accessories.
I emailed the broker, who assured me the Volvo ran well (he said he 
started it weekly) and the mast needed some wood repair at the mast 
head, the mainsail cover disappeared and the boat needed lots of TLC.  
I made an offer over the net, wired down my money after the offer was 
accepted and then flew to Tampa for a drive down the boat, docked on 
the Gulf.  When I arrived about 4:00 PM, the elderly broker was locking 
up his office.  I told him who I was and he asked anxiously if I had 
seen my new boat yet> "No," I answered, "I was hoping you would take me 
to see her."  He looked apprehensive but mentioned some people tell him 
he has a magic camera, cause it takes pictures of boats that sometimes 
look better than the actual boats.

When I saw WATERMARK, she looked solid.  The photos showed what I took 
to be a much nicer interior cushion covering. The photos didn't show 
the peeling paint and mildew on the main cabin ceiling that were the 
result of leaking chainplates and side decks.  He was evasive about the 
engine, explaining that the former owner had come around a few times to 
start it.  I never did get it to run.  After I saw the mast at home, I 
realized it needed a complete rebuild or replacement.  The paint and 
varnish hadn't held up well under the eighteen months since the photos 
were shot - the Florida sun is pretty unforgiving with lots of UV.

After I got over my initial surprise, I was glad of my new boat!  She 
needs lots of work but had no wasp or bees nests, and I believe she can 
come back with lots of work..and I am optimistic too, about the old 
MD-001 Volvo, too!  The sails were the original Larry Sobstad sails and 
were among the first ones he ever made - they were hand stitched, 
according to the original owner, who I spoke with.  Former owners from 
Minnesota, who restored her about eight years ago, have been very 
supportive and encouraging too...The sails were sent to Pennsylvania 
for cleaning, repair and re-resin processing and look really nice, 
still.

Watermark was not what I thought at first, but she is solid, and I am 
glad I bought her.

Let the Buyer Beware: )

Scott Wallace, Alberg and Rhodes fan WATERMARK, 1962 Seafarer Rhodes 
Meridian


On Monday, January 3, 2005, at 10:51 AM, Rachel wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I've been lurking on the board as I boat shop.  I really don't have 
> the budget for an A-30, so I'll probably end up with a Pearson Triton 
> or something along those lines, but it's interesting to read the group 
> posts anyway.
>
> So imagine my delight when I saw an affordable A-30 listed for sale on 
> the Plastic Classic board.  It listed as being in good shape except 
> for the exterior wood needing a little attention, and had a Yanmar 
> diesel, Sta-loks, roller furling, nearly new sails, sound decks, etc. 
> --- $5000 obo.
>
> After talking to the owner on the phone, I decided to go for a 
> look-see.  It was only a few hours out of my way from Fort Myers, Fla, 
> where I'd spent the holidays with some friends, to my brother's place 
> in Atlanta (the boat is in SE Georgia).
>
> Let me report that it is definitely a project boat.  That's what I 
> would expect for $5000, although I will say it was not in nearly as 
> good a shape as I was led to believe in my conversation with the 
> owner, which did annoy me somewhat.  I don't understand what leads 
> people to describe a boat one way, when they will find out the truth 
> anyway as soon as the come to see it.  OTOH, it would have been 
> underpriced if it had actually been in the condition that I understood 
> it to be in before I looked.
>
> I just thought I'd post this because the boat definitely needs a new 
> owner to save it from a trip to the big ocean in the sky.    I'd be 
> happy to relate what I saw if anyone is interested, but maybe a fair 
> distance away.
>
> I'm trying to remember the boat's name for those who'd like to know 
> (maybe it's someone's long lost family boat!).  I think it was 
> "Mataj."  The hull number was #187 (or something really close to that 
> - I don't have the number here right now).  They brought it up from 
> Florida, and the port name on the stern is "Plantation."
>
> I hope this boat finds a good home.  Meanwhile I will keep looking for 
> a boat that is somewhere between "total project" and "needs a little 
> elbow grease."  :-)
>
> --- Rachel
>
> Current fleet:  Fatty Knees 7' and a few old river kayaks.
>
>
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