[VIEXILE]

All I was saying was the engine has 10 hours on it. It''s a ''91, but in mint condition, unused. Original oil is clean. The boat''s been on hard since ''92. My point was that even if I sold the engine for $3500, which it should be worth (getting things shipped down here is expensive), if I pay $5,500 for the shooting match, I''ve got $2,000 into the boat. It would make no sense to sell the engine, notwithstanding that Don Street doesn''t think I need one. The keel/West system thing is simply that I see that much area on the foward end of the keel and in other places, that seem to be solid West rather than lead. It might just be chewed, filled and faired. I was just wondering how much effect a 200# change in ballast might have. I do have lead available that came from an old ''62 Pearson daysailer that was converted to a little motor launch. My point with the $8600 amount is my estimate of current BUC value in it''s present condition. If I can get it for $3,000 less than that, groovy. What about these little flush through-hull nipples? Are they problematic to remove? How are they installed? I see no screws, nor backing blocks, but didn''t think to look for a ring nut on the interior. I don''t like it when I can''t mount a ball valve seated directly to the hull on a base. These things are just in-line valves screwed on. All of them. However, better than the gate valve on a hose and nipple I found on the raw water line in my Bristol when I bought it....thanks for all the help. Tell me anything you can think of about the T30s. I can make this thing float, run and sail fairly easily. The only thing that really concerns me is the mast base corrosion. It hasn''t settled, but generally looks like the dark side of the moon. Thanks again. KW