[Public-list] Gypsy

[Lincoln Finkenberg]

Gypsy is a wonderful boat.  40 years never a blister nor signs of delamination - yet the surveyor was sure one was coming in a couple years.  I’ll be sailing her this summer.  The surveyor also pointed out that the bulkhead was separating and that the turnbuckles were no good.  The turnbuckles were clearly bad because there was a giant indentation right near the top – incredibly similar to the dye stamp.  He was sure the chainplates were a problem because they were stainless steel and overtime stainless steel deteriorates – especially in places you can’t see.  Unfortunately he was correct on that count as well – and I’m sure some day when the bulkhead gives way and the boat splits in two the corroding chainplates will have proven to be the cause.

    When I pointed out the obvious – he rudely stated “I don’t work for you”. Which at first I ignored but after the third or fourth mention - I looked to the buyer and said – do you want to tell him or do I.  I was granted the pleasure - you do work for me.  We had decided to split the cost.  Oddly he thought this unethical and stormed off the boat.  The best thing he did with Gypsy that morning.

   
  
Message: 3
Date: Mon, 22 May 2006 23:54:46 -0400
From: George Dinwiddie <gdinwiddie at alberg30.org>
Subject: Re: [Public-list] Hello all!
To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all <public-list at alberg30.org>
Message-ID: <44728786.5050307 at alberg30.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Shannon,

Hmmm...  I know nothing of the condition of Gypsy, but I'm surprised. 
Especially surprising is water in the decks.  I thought Gypsy was an 
old-style boat with the masonite core.  I've never heard of serious 
problems with those, unlike the newer balsa cored decks.  Standing 
rigging isn't so terribly expensive and lasts a lot longer than the 
surveyors would have you believe.  A wet hull is understandable if the 
boat's been in the water recently.  A30s tend to have rather porous 
gelcoat.  Blistering problems, though, are very rare.  Severe cases 
generally happen only on boats with barrier coats.  I've learned that 
surveyors are not infallible.

Anyway, check http://alberg30.org/collaborate/AlbergBoatsForSale for 
some boat listings.