Is this 420 seaworthy?

[sailingnoob]

Hi, I am looking into getting a 420, and have found this for $225. A bit of a diamond in the rough, but looks like she would be a beautiful boat with some cleaning and perhaps a fresh paintjob to the hull. Anyway, I would like to know if it looks seaworthy to you guys, and perhaps you could fathom a guess as to its year. Also, is there a way to get the forestay/rudder & tiller/hiking strap for cheap and perhaps used? Thanks.

[sailingnoob]

I'd love some input, thanks. (P.S. I'll try to resize the photos to make them easier to view on you guys.)

[radioguy]

Is there a couple of small holes on the hull by the daggerboard?

It looks nice. Definitely throw it on some stands, sand the entire thing down, and paint it. You could get by with very little paint. A single quart of primer and topsides.

[sailingnoob]

Thanks for the suggestions, I guess now I need to: A. Get a hitch installed on my car. B. Try and pick up a $50 14' trailer I found on craigslist if it's still available, C. drive a couple hours to pick this boat up, D. restore it and find the parts.. I guess that's why they call it a "project"

[sailingnoob]

By the way, does anybody know about trailer laws? I looked on the RMV page and it said if the trailer and load combined were under 3,000 pounds, you didn't need a title, which I assume would mean you don't need to get plates or insurance?

[Sixpoint]

Originally Posted by sailingnoob

By the way, does anybody know about trailer laws? I looked on the RMV page and it said if the trailer and load combined were under 3,000 pounds, you didn't need a title, which I assume would mean you don't need to get plates or insurance?

Looking at the RMV page, the way I read it is that you still need to register, you just don't have to bother with getting a title. A bill of sale will do.

But I could be wrong. If I were you, I'd call the RMV and ask directly.

[tommays]

The hull looks like you work with it BUT the mast/spreaders/standing/running rigging look a MESS and could run into some dollars to get squared away

[sailingdog]

I'd point out that very cheap boats are usually more expensive than buying the exact same make/model boat in good condition.

[sailingnoob]

Well, I did some comparing and looking and was kind of surprised. Ironically, it looks like this boat would be the most expensive of the three I found, as Sailingdog helped me to slowly figure out with his comment above. I've found one in much better shape with a dolly and all but the sails, and although the ad is almost a month old it is looking like this one will work out as I think they would've deleted the ad if it sold. Plus, this one is around half as far from me as the one above. Pics to follow. Also, this one is much nicer.

[sailingnoob]

I think the dolly might be a bit too small, but I guess it'll work. I'm already in love with this boat, and am trying not to get my hopes up because every other 420 I have enquired about has not worked out, but I'm definitely excited.