Buying a San Juan 28

[ShamsB]

I am about to buy a San Juan 28 and wanted a few opinions. Here is the description:
Well maintained, 1 previous owner, 28', 10' beam, 4'- 6" draft, Yanmar diesel 2QM15 inboard, depth sounder, speed meter, compass, VHF, Radio/ CD, exterior/ interior speakers, 1-1/2year old full battened North mainsail, roller furling, 150 Genoa, 110 working jib, 90 storm jib, spinnaker, wheel steering,bilge pump, battery charger, marine head, all lines led aft, 1-1/2 year old mainsail and wench covers.

I have a survey and it will need the bottom painted soon and a few other small things fixed to be in great working order. What are peoples thoughts on the boat choice? What are things to look out for? Is this a good first boat?

Thanks

[arf145]

Folks with some knowledge of this boat will want to know how you plan to use it. Daysailing? Overnights? Long cruises? How many on board? Etc.

Tom

[ShamsB]

Originally Posted by arf145

Folks with some knowledge of this boat will want to know how you plan to use it. Daysailing? Overnights? Long cruises? How many on board? Etc.

Tom

I would be using it for day sailing with about 5 people and a few 1 and 2 night trips with about 4 people each summer.

[Sabreman]

Well...

You've already went through the process of finding the boat and negotiating a price or you wouldn't have gotten a survey. Then you paid for a survey. So now I'm guessing that you're about to pull the trigger and would like reassurance that you're not making a bad choice. Boat buying can be very scary and intimidating. Face it, it's a rotten investment dollar-wise.......... but priceless in the joy and satisfaction that it can bring.

IMO, it's a good boat for your intentions which are quite reasonable. Buy it and go have fun. But expect stuff to break and spend about 10% of your purchase price maintaining it.

[ShamsB]

That is a very good assessment of where I am in the process. The survey was paid for by someone in Alaska who almost bought the boat and was going to have it shipped up from Oregon. I am assuming to spend some $$$ maintaining it but it does seem to be in good condition and shouldn't need too much right off the bat. Mainly I am looking for that last boost of confidence before I pull the trigger.

Thanks

[Faster]

She's a fairly roomy, open boat that should satisfy with what you intend to use her for, and beyond. As long as she's truly in good condition with no major 'must dos' you should be good to cruise around the PNW for weeks, certainly days. Are you on the Columbia?

Is it this one?

View Boat Photos - YachtWorld.com

[baboon]

I prefer my wenches uncovered, but otherwise looks like a good deal.

[KinSlayer]

^^

Go to that link to learn a little more about Clark boat co and some about the SJ28. It is mainly written about the SJ21, which is what I have. SJ's are good boats. I own 2 Clark boats, the C-Lark 14 and now the 21.

http://sanjuan21.net/clark_boat_company_5.pdf

[ShamsB]

Originally Posted by Faster

She's a fairly roomy, open boat that should satisfy with what you intend to use her for, and beyond. As long as she's truly in good condition with no major 'must dos' you should be good to cruise around the PNW for weeks, certainly days. Are you on the Columbia?

Is it this one?

View Boat Photos - YachtWorld.com

Yes thats the one! And I would be sailing it on the Columbia.

[Faster]

I guess on the River there's not a great deal of extended cruising (like what we can do in BC and Puget sound).

The only thing that popped up in the pics there was the bulkhead heater install.. the flue setup is a bit odd.. was that a catalytic heater of some sort? It's very high in the boat. If it's effective a 12V fan to move air around might be a good idea (but if you're primarily daysailing that's not a big issue either)

I'd double check that that particular heater is OK'd by your insurance carrier...