I have been searching for a mast for an S-2 6.9 for much too long. I have a very nice boat that sits in my yard and needs to be sold, but no one is interested in buying a sailboat without a mast. The latest potential buyer got a quote for $7,000 for a mast, which (I think) was exceptionally high. He, of course, did not bite.
Is there a salvage yard in the central U.S. where old S-2's go to rest and their parts are pillaged for boats needing refurbishing?
Are there any other boat makes whose mast specs are the same as the 6.9?
or -
Does someone know someone in Minnesota / central states who would like a nice boat for an exceptionally good deal?
Here's the story
:
Ten years ago a mast was ordered for this boat, on which I only ever served as first mate. My husband, the S-2's captain, unexpectedly and very suddenly committed suicide. The day following the funeral, the marina called to let me know that the mast was ready. I had no idea how to pick it up, get it installed, etc, so I postponed completing the transaction. A couple months passed and the mast-maker called again to tell me that he had another buyer, asking whether he could sell it and make me a different one. This bought me the time I needed, so I agreed. When I eventually called back to make arrangements to finally fix this boat (about 8 months later), this guy had closed shop and moved to Jamaica. LITERALLY!
Off and on now, I've been searching the internet, calling and chatting with people, and looking for a buyer. It turns out that years as a first mate left me with no skippering confidence, so taking over as its captain was out of the question. It needs to be fixed and an owner that will love it needs to be found.
This has been a long haul down a road littered with emotional land-mines (sailing brought my family a lot of pleasure, once upon a fairy-tale time). The boat is too nice to haul to a landfill, but without a mast, it cannot be enjoyed by anyone. I once had the broken mast, but ten years ago when strong friends helped me to move, I let them talk me into hauling it to the dump. This was probably a big mistake (but certainly not the biggest one I've made!). My goal is simple: sell the boat for the cost of re-upholstering the seats of an old pontoon that my family enjoys getting on the water, and move a difficult metaphor out of my yard.
Any help / leads from anyone would be
extremely appreciated .
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