[Public-list] Budget boats and surveys, P.S.

Tue Jan 4 17:51:00 PST 2005

Hi Dave and Friends,

One more thought...

The factors that led me to make an offer and buy my Rhodes Meridian off 
of the internet, sight unseen are:

yachtworld.com listing of sanctioned brokers

my understanding from readings and research that the Rhodes Meridian, 
built in Holland and imported by Seafarer was the boat was 
exceptionally well built

a beautiful design by Philip L. Rhodes

web photos including photos of front and side view, side view and two 
interior shots, with a detail of the coaming and sliding hatch

inboard Volvo MD-01 diesel (I am an excellent mechanic and years ago 
rebuilt many British automobile engines and Volvo engines and 
transmissions)

an intuitive, "feel" about the boat

price

Scott Wallace, WATERMARK
On Tuesday, January 4, 2005, at 04:39 PM, Just Dave wrote:

> A couple of years ago, I questioned the value of getting a boat survey 
> on a list similar to this one and was severely taken to task for even 
> considering it.  So, does this group usually invest in a survey before 
> buying a boat?   Mr. Wallace, did you have the boat surveyed?  Isn't 
> it high risk to buy a boat sight unseen?  Or is there a  price at 
> which you just take the gamble?  I'm looking for my next boat and am 
> in an area where there are relatively few sailboats on the market--- 
> its stinkpot territory,.
>
>
>
> Dave Kruetzkamp
>
> Free Martha!
>
>
>
>
> ----Original Message Follows----
> From: William Wallace <tristan at one.net>
> Reply-To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all 
> <public-list at alberg30.org>
> To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all <public-list at alberg30.org>
> Subject: Re: [Public-list] Anyone looking for a project A-30?
> Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2005 17:59:06 -0500
>
> 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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