A good survey today!

Perithead · #1 (**permalink**) 01-22-2008

Well everyone, the survey of the Watkins 29, or should I say my new Watkins 29 was today its results were very good. The boat turned out to be in great condition.

The motor ran fine and didnt overheat and would run at full rpm (3400 I think) and shifted well. The hull has been cleaned once a month by a diver and the diver was cleaning it this morning when we arrived at the boat and said he has been cleaning it for years. The haulout showed good results but a few blisters were forming but for a 21 year old boat the surveyor said that can be expected. They were no larger than a quarter so he said they do not need to be fixed as of yet. Everything else looked well and the sails were nice and still have life in them.

We are purchasing the boat at $4500 dollars below what the surveyor said the boat was worth and if I fix a couple of minor things then it would be worth even more. This is great.

He was very thorough and talked me through everything he was doing and what was going through his mind.

The ground tackle was missing some chain though so I will have to get some for it. It has about 6' of chain and I dont think that is enough lol. I was thinking maybe 30-40' of chain rode? What size do you suggest? Not sure the size of the danforth anchor but it did seem to be a large one.

Thanks for the replys.

teshannon · #2 (**permalink**) 01-22-2008

Congrats on the new toy and best of luck with her.

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 01-22-2008

Congratulations.

We won't believe you until you post photos though.

With some anchors, much more than 6-12' of chain don't help. Get yourself a new anchor, like a Manson Supreme, Buegel or Rocna, with at least a boat length of chain. 5/16" G4 chain would be good if it'll work in the windlass you have. If you don't have a windlass...it'll work well in any case.

Cheaping out on the ground tackle is generally a bad idea.

BTW, the best anchor on the market IMHO is the Rocna, and a 10 or 15 kg Rocna would be a great primary anchor for you.

Halekai and I both have Rocnas as our primary anchors BTW... and have written about them here quite a bit. Halekai also has almost every other anchor made...and uses the Rocna as his primary out of choice...

Perithead · #4 (**permalink**) 01-22-2008

Ok ok SD I will get some pictures this weekend and put them up so yall will believe me. Sheesh.

How much would I be paying for one of those Ronca's and could I get a used one that will be just as good as a new one?

chucklesR · #5 (**permalink**) 01-22-2008

Congrats, fair winds and following seas.

camaraderie · #6 (**permalink**) 01-22-2008

Perit....Congrats on the boat...glad everything went well for ya!
Where will you be sailing her...that is where we need to start with anchor questions! What you have may be just fine....or NOT!
All best with your new lady!

sailingdog · #7 (**permalink**) 01-22-2008

Perithead-

I doubt you could get a used one, considering how new to the market the Rocnas are... and how well the people who own them like them.

MJJ · #8 (**permalink**) 01-22-2008

Congrats and fair winds! Sounds like an excellent purchase.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perithead

How much would I be paying for one of those Ronca's and could I get a used one that will be just as good as a new one?

Never buy a used anchor, they are only good for 1000 anchorings and then they are used up. You never know how many anchorings are left in a used one.

Naw, jk,

Lion35 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-22-2008

Congrats! Best day of a sailor's life/

SailorMitch · #10 (**permalink**) 01-22-2008

Congrats and fair winds with her! And I'm with Cam on the anchor thing -- where do you sail, and what type(s) of bottom(s) will you encounter? It's best literally to start from the ground up when figuring out what anchor is best.