Good old boat shopping

[daydreamer92]

...is fun!

We're looking for a super-bargain boat, that great deal that's rare to find. It's not a hurried search, we've gone without this long.

Today we took a trip down to MA (we're in southern NH) to take a look at a few yard owned, low-priced boats I've found for sale. It was a good reason to get out of the house and go do something interesting, and all it cost was a tank of gas and some Taco Bell for lunch.

We looked at are a 1977 Pearson 26, a 1964 Tartan 27, and a 1974 Tanzer 22. All of them were yard owned with the yard looking to clear space for a paying customer. The Pearson and Tartan's owners had passed away and the families didn't want it or the storage fee. That kinda thing. The Pearson was a single owner boat; he'd bought it new back when.

I haven't gone over all the photos yet (we took a lot of photos) but all three looked better than I had expected for the asking price. All three had issues as well, considering they had been sitting on the hard for so long (uncovered, it seems). There's work to be had on each of them before they go into the water, but nothing screamed TOO MAJOR LEAVE NOW at least in this preliminary examination.

From what I have researched and read so far, the P26 and the Tartan fit the same niche: popular, affordable, friendly pocket cruiser. The (asking) price of the P26 and Tartan are pretty much the same. We're not rushing in buy or make a bid or anything, but I am wondering if, with things being equal (condition wise), is there any reason to prefer the Tartan over the Pearson or vice versa? I've been trying to find direct comparisons in these forums and have failed so far.

I have a Bristol 27 on my list of "boats to visit" as well.

(I think I might like the Tartan's lines a *bit* more than the Pearson but that's just aesthetics)

[sailingdog]

Daydreamer—

I'd highly recommend you read the Boat Inspection Trip Tips thread I started, as it will help you determine whether any of boats you look at are even worth going forward on, saving you the price of a survey for boats that aren't worth looking at further.

Let me know if you're going to be in the South Coast region of Massachusetts (Buzzards Bay), as I'm usually down that way quite a bit and keep my boat there.

[nickmerc]

I would look at which boat needs more work and which one comes with more stuff. Nice instruments (that work), a tiller pilot, a head, etc can be well worth the entire cost of the boat. When I bought my boat I was basically paying for the extras and the hull was free.

I believe they are pretty equal on sailing qualities and both are about the same quality.

Being biased I will say I have found lots of info about the P26 on the web and feel they are quality boats.

If you like the looks of one over the other, all else being equal go with the one you like. You will get a feeling when you are climbing around the boat and know which one is right for you. However, it is important to get a survey before taking the plunge.
________
Cheap glass pipes

[WanderingStar]

A friend just bought a classic glass boat from the yard for a song. He's restoring it, but he is very talented. There are good deals if you look carefully. Examine them thoroughly.

[slowpoke]

thers a 1982 cape dory in maine ,sail ready for 10000$ new honda, new sails etc.its the last 25 they made and i have a pearson26 for the same price.

[daydreamer92]

SailingDog, I did look at that article and read it last week.t week! It was quite useful. We tried to be mindful of deal-breakers, given we knew what we'd be looking at, and took lots of photos so we wouldn't forget the issues we saw or confused them between the three. As for near Buzzard's Bay, we paid a visit to Matapoisset, actually.

NickMerc: Thanks! None of them were as far along as the oft-discussed Albin Vega mentioned in various threads; the insides were very dirty (less so on the Pearson), but none an "omigawd, what IS that and/or that smell?" filthy.

Slowpoke: 10K is (well) above what we're looking at right now, but I appreciate the heads up.

I found I really enjoyed poking around at these old things. Just the education and research alone will prove worth it, even if the boat is a lost cause. The driving is a bore but it's relatively cheap entertainment that'll one day pay off.

Thanks again

[tomwatt]

Daydreamer92, glad you had a good trip. The Bristol 27 you spoke of certainly would be worth a look, too. When you guys get set on something, post up and let us see pics. (you probably saw my Corsair sitting there while you were there, right? I covered it, but got a call that the cover had collapsed and filled with water and ice, so I spent a day uncovering, and removing 100 lb. blocks of ice)

[CalebD]

Daydreamer92,
Good on you for looking for a good old boat to save from the chain saws and dumpster. Since I am an owner of a Tartan 27' from 1967 I am a bit partial to them but I also believe that the older Pearsons, Cape Dorys and Bristols are all kind of in the same class of sturdily built boats.
You should be able to get a boat yard 'derelict' in the rough for pretty cheap - relatively speaking. I hope you find the right boat for you or it finds you soon.
Good luck.

[bljones]

Can we interest you in an Albin Vega? A very rare boat, one of the Patsy Cline Limited Editions. Comes with a trailer.

[daydreamer92]

re: Vega.

My first post in sailnet was because of that Vega. I saw the ad, and then came across (quite by accident) the various responses here, including Tom's post of having gone to see it about a week before I saw the ad. He saved me a trip.

You'll note that I said (I think I said) that none of the boats I saw yesterday looked as bad as that Vega. So I've heard/read plenty about it already.

(that said, still feel sorry for that ol' boat. I kinda hope someone with a lot of time and skill raises it from the dead. That someone won't be me, though.)