Us29

[pjboots]

I am looking at buying a US29 and am unable to find information about the boat. If anyone knows anything about these boats please let me know.

[Faster]

These boats have a strange pedigree. The hull design is by Doug Peterson, a recognized designer. The first hulls from this design were produced by a company called Chaser in Ontario, Canada. Bayliner later bought the molds.
The "US"295 was part of Bayliner's answer to the original gas crisis. The 295 was actually marketed under the Buccaneer name. The design was later tweaked and then sold as the US30.
As a Buccaneer it was one of the better ones, and the 295 is a better-rigged boat than the US 30, but construction quality has to be a little suspect considering some of Buccaneer's other examples.
Get a thorough survey, and be sure your intended use is appropriate.

[pjboots]

IS Chopped glass a problem in the US29? My understanding was that the US Yacht version did not have the same production problems, Is this true?

I hope to use the boat for Cruising and for some good fun. I don't want a boat that i have to worry about. Can the US29 fit this need?
I'm not sure the price of the boat warrants the expense of a survey. What should I look for when I inspect the boat? I will look for osmotic blisters, core rot through delaminating, and leaks. The boat I am looking at needs some interior work which is probably a result of leaking windows, which is a problem for this make of boat, If you could tell me what you think a boat like this is worth i would appreciate your opinion.

Thank-you

Pjboots

[Faster]

If you are looking at a 29 foot boat that is so cheap you can't justify a $500 survey, than all I can say is you're likely going to get what you pay for. - i.e. not much.

[pjboots]

Yes your right. I should probably have a survey done, the boat is not that cheap. What kind of production problems did these boats have? I would like to find out, no point in spendingn 500 on something that is doomed from the start.

[Faster]

I can't speak to the rumoured "Chopper gun" vs hand layup, but do know that in the US25, for example, the bulkheads are not tabbed in at all. These boats do not have a good reputation, mostly from the "ugly" buccaneer 24/27 etc. The 295 has a decent rig on a decent hull (for its day) but they do not command high prices and suffer from the association with Buccaneer/Bayliner.

[sailingdog]

If you can get your hands on the Practical Sailor Magazine's Boat Buying Guide, which is a two-volume set that includes information from actual boat owners, it might be worth reading what they say on it.