Thoughts....

SpcAlan1 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-17-2009

1946 Luders Marine Viking 31'4" Wood Sailboat - GA:eBay Motors (item 110458434942 end time Nov-21-09 12:00:00 PST)

I have a Catalina 25, and would like a bigger boat.. but the whole 1946 and wood gives me bad vibes.

what do you think????

I am thinking live aboard on Lake Lanier...

smackdaddy · #2 (**permalink**) 11-17-2009

Ask Charlie. He's definitely the woodie guru around here.

SpcAlan1 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-17-2009

Well I don't know Charlie.. can you pass it on?

smackdaddy · #4 (**permalink**) 11-17-2009

CharlieCobra. He's currently re-fitting his boat "Oh Joy". Do a search on that and you'll find his threads. He's a great dude.

Stillraining · #5 (**permalink**) 11-17-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by smackdaddy

CharlieCobra. He's currently re-fitting his boat "Oh Joy". Do a search on that and you'll find his threads. He's a great dude.

That bum!!....why I wouldn't give him the time of day..

smackdaddy · #6 (**permalink**) 11-17-2009

I just got off the phone with him. And he said the same about you.

Heh-heh.

BTW - it's 4:00 ITT (International Texas Time)

tager · #7 (**permalink**) 11-17-2009

That tape on the forestay turnbuckle just screams "rig replacement. "

Otherwise she is nice looking. A survey may cost more than the boat, but it could also save your butt. I would suggest hauling it out too.

paulk · #8 (**permalink**) 11-17-2009

This boat could be a gem, or it could be a total nightmare. Luders built moulded plywood boats in Connecticut (like the Luders 16) with a special process that involved heating the entire hull in a huge oven in order to set off the glue. The glue and construction is incredibly strong, but if moisture has gotten into the laminates... ouch. The photos showing what looks like a series of checkmarks on the topsides give me pause, therefore. Water may have gotten in there and be rotting out and delaminating the wood, if that's what those marks are. It would be a good idea to get a copy of Hewitt Schlereth's book on inspecting a used boat and apply what he says to this boat. After that if you're satisfied, you might want to make an offer, subject to a thorough survey by a competent professional. You're right that a wooden 1946 boat may have issues -- but it could also be a wonderful boat with issues that you can handle.

Faster · #9 (**permalink**) 11-17-2009

Character in spades, for sure. Seems clean enough despite the obvious need for some TLC.

Think long and hard whether you really want all that goes with old wooden boat ownership and upkeep.... And incidentally, how much space will you truly gain over your Catalina?