1977 Tartan 30

[mitiempo]

The Panama Canal fees as far as I can tell are $642 for a vessel smaller than 50', $450 "delay fee", which I guess is charged if you are not able to keep up in the locks, and a $50 measuring fee. In addition their is a cost to the linehandlers. But it's still a good value compared to the alternative.

[BarryL]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

But it's still a good value compared to the alternative.

For a small boat I think the alternative is to have the boat hauled, mast taken down, put on a trailer and shipped over the land. That might be cheaper and easier.

Barry

[mitiempo]

That wasn't the alternative I was thinking about. And I doubt trailering would be cheaper.

[baboon]

I own a T30 that has been in my family for 20 years. Some thoughts,

The A4 worked well and with some common sense is safe. The re-power with a 3 cyl diesel went well since engine access is very good in this boat. The original motor was raw water cooled and that was its fatal flaw in the end.

It is NOT a blue water boat. Although very solidly built the cockpit is huge, the scuppers small and there is no bridge deck. The motor and other critical bits are very low in the hull so get pooped once and you are in trouble, twice and might be sunk.

Unlike the the previous description of the T27, my chain plates are bolted to solid bulkheads and easy to inspect. Like many boats of this age they also leak so look for rust/rot.

My stern pulpit has a built in ladder that can be pulled down by someone in the water or a dingy. I think it was a factory option. It extends a bit below the water so might be usable if you go far an unanticipated swim, although I never want to test that theory.

The T30 is a good boat for a tiller. It is very balanced under sail so forces on the rudder are low. Even my very old low power autopilot can keep it on course.

The biggest problem I have with it is backing under power. All sailboats are bad at this, but with a smallish skeg hung rudder and a prop that sits just behind the keel it is an adventure every time. Some T30s have an extended shaft that might help, and a good 3 blade or folding prop (as apposed to my fixed 2 blade) might make a positive difference.

Hope that helps.

[mitiempo]

Install larger scuppers, add bridgedeck and storage locker in the well to reduce volume? Fairly easy modifications.

[Plumbean]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

Install larger scuppers, add bridgedeck and storage locker in the well to reduce volume? Fairly easy modifications.

Probably cheaper to buy a different boat -- might consider a Yankee 30. Very similar to the T30 but if memory serves me they have a bridge deck and are considered to be decent blue water boats. Not many of them on the East Coast though.

[mitiempo]

For offshore most of the boats mentioned would need larger or more scuppers I would guess, as does mine. The liferaft could be installed in the well to reduce volume.

[bmacfarquhar]

It seems a bridge deck could be constructed from marine plywood - essentially a waterproof storage box at the front of the cockpit. The reduced volume might also negate the need for larger scuppers as there is less space to flood. Most of my sailing will be coastal but I dont want to leave the large cockpit unaddressed. (My rough idea is head down the east coast through Panama and then explore the North West coast of S America and on the way back the Sea of Cortez) The Tartan seems to have some good features for seaworthiness am reading Vigor's Offshore Seaworthy sailboat and it stacks up better than many other boats I'm looking at in the low budget end of the spectrum.

Anyone here tried making bridge decks? Would plywood, epoxy, maybe some glass at the seams or marine tex do the trick? Any ideas for a quick and dirty bridge deck much appreciated.

[bmacfarquhar]

Perhaps a project something like this:

Bridgedeck Installation | Adrift at Sea

[sailingdog]

Yup... that was one project I did on my boat, since I couldn't convince the manufacturer to build the boat with one... It has worked out quite well.. .

Originally Posted by bmacfarquhar

Perhaps a project something like this:

Bridgedeck Installation | Adrift at Sea