I haven't posted in a while but haven't had anything of value to say. Perhaps that changed this week. I have an opportunity to purchase a 1978 Chrysler Bucaneer for what seems a good price, $800.00. I haven't looked at it yet so I can't speak to its condition.
I've read some good and not so good things about the Bucanneer. Some say it's stable, some say it isn't. Nearly all say it's fast. Is it difficult for a rookie to rig? The info I found on the web says it's simple but I see lots of rope and pulleys. I found a thread on this site about a couple around my age asking if the Bucaneer was a good boat for folks in their mid-50's. Some said no, others yes. May I ask for some more opinions? Will I be in over my head?
Is there anything in particular I should look for when I go look at this boat? I understand the value will depend on condition.
I can't think of anything else to ask so if there are things I should know please feel free to let me know.
You'll find all the info you want and more at chryslersailors.com. The site specializes in chrysler boats. I've found the guys there are more than helpful.
Steve
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Bucc's simple to rig; I can set it up myself in about 15 minutes; rigging the spi takes longer, tho you probably should skip that for now.
It has decent ultimate stability: if you hike hard and play the mainsheet, you can generally keep it from going over. But the boat will go from flat to 45 degrees heel and back quickly. Really really quickly. The boat has 'receding chines', so not much initial stability compared to the Thistle or Lightning. The Bucc is really easy to right if it does go over -- soft chines again. Keep your hatch covers on tight & it will float, even when swamped.
In that pic, notice the mast step/tabernacle. Chrysler Buccs originally required wrestling the mast over the centerboard trunk and into a small socket. This sort of mast step with hinge makes stepping it easier; most have been retrofitted. Also note the Magic Box on the mast; that is for tensioning the jib, which has the forestay inside its luff pocket. Older boats may have a highfield lever under the deck and a tubular jib luff. Either works okay.
The Yahoo Group is nice people -- Bucc people is nice people. You have to join to see messages, and the Yahoo format is garbage, but hey. Good place to get answers and link up for racing or tutorials.
Here's some things to look for on Bucc18s:
* Check the centerboard trunk to make sure it is solid. They sometimes rot underneath the cap and need reinforcement. Easy to fix.
* Buccs often develop cracks or soft spots on the keel just in front of the CB slot, from bouncing on the trailer roller.
* Rudder gudgeons on the transom may be weak; look for cracks. The original rudder head was an aluminum casting that had a way of breaking and falling off. ALL rudders are prone to falling off in a capsize; don't trust the spring clip, use a retaining pin or ring ding.
* Round bailers often leak. Flushing out the sand and lubing the O rings with vaseline or silicone can slow or stop the leaking. Don't open them below 6 or 7 knots, or your boat will fill up quickly!
Otherwise, it is a dead simple boat that goes really fast. You'll have a blast!
I had one I for about 5 years around 20 years ago. I really liked it and it was fast but it was pretty tippy. I raced it on a small lake in PA. It was handicapped but there were 6 or 7 other Buccs so it was fun to be racing agains your own "kind". Mine was rigged very simply and I didn't do a lot to it. There can be quite a range but some who added a lot of rigging were just junking them up IMHO. I liked to keep mine simple and focus on wind, sail and boat trim, etc. Good luck.
Ateve, that "chryslersailors" kept saying server not found. I'll try it again.
bubb, thanks for the links. There is some neat videos there. I'm grateful.
bob, thank you so much. The rigging doesn't look near as complicated now that I can see it stationary. I assume all the pulleys and blocks are to make it easier because of the stress on the boom from the mainsail? I gather from what you're saying that I'm going to get wet and learn to right a Buccaneer? That's ok.....I won't melt. Thank you also for telling me what things to check when I look at the boat. I saw the video you posted from the link bubb gave....but I watched it again!
harbin, thank you for your insight. It is appreciated.
I'm looking at the boat next week. Thanks again to all of you.
Compared to a Lightning, the Bucc18 has minimal control lines. Not even a traveler, tho if any boat ever needed one, it's the Bucc. Don't be fooled by claims of "seats six", however -- that may be true for sunset strolls in places with reliably calm winds, but it's really a two-up racer. Cockpit is huge but obstructed; the vang nearly meets the mainsheet, the CB trunk is tall, and getting crew across in high winds takes a certain degree of agility.
The multiple boom blocks are, indeed, an attempt to spread the load. Chrysler Buccs had crazy-bendy spars, and if you sight down the boom, it will likely have a permanent 'smile' bent into it. No big deal. Most do. The boat has a large mainsail (~110 sqft) with lots of roach; check the main to see what kind of shape its leech is in. The lower battens are too short, really, and they tend to flog the trailing edge to death. You can get a new main for about $400, and occasionally they show up used on eBay or the Bucc sites.
There have been five manufacturers of these boats: Chrysler(1971-80), TMI (80-81, not good Buccs), Gloucester/Starwind, Cardinal, and Nickels Boat Works, which is building new ones and can supply parts. Check the year or the HIN on the starboard transom to see who made yours. Harry Sindle of Cardinal Yachts wrote a tuning guide for the boat, which is useful for new sailors.
Ok....maybe I screwed up but I don't think so. I bought the Bucc today and ended up getting it for $700.00 with the trailer. It's maroon with a white deck. It is filthy. Absolutely, stinkin' filthy but I believe it will clean up fine. Hasn't been touched in 6 years. Everything appears to be in pretty good condition from what I can tell, except for the lines. I'm betting they're shot. That and the jib has been on the furler sitting outside on the boat for the same 6 years and I saw one small rip in it. Wonder what it will look like when I unroll it. Seems a shame as it appears one pin would allow it to be removed and taken inside. Main and spinnaker have been in bags, inside since the guy purchased the boat. I haven't examined them. The trailer looks almost new.
Bob, all the stuff you mentioned in your post was fine. I don't see a "Magic Box" on the mast tho so this one must have the highfield lever. Hatch lids are frozen down right now so I can't see in there to tell. From your post this one is a Chrysler produced boat from 1978 and purchased new in 1980. The original bill of sale came with the boat and the purchase price was a tad over 2 grand from a dealer in St. Louis, Mo.. If the guy I bought it from had waited til spring, cleaned up the boat and spent a little money on lines I believe he could have gotten at least a grand or maybe more. He seemed to be glad it was just gone....oh well.
Ok, there it is such as it is. I am now, officially, at least a sail boat owner. I'm open to comments, criticisms, advice, praise or condemnation.
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so not much initial stability compared to the Thistle or Lightning. The Bucc is really easy to right if it does go over -- soft chines again.
Keep your hatch covers on tight & it will float, even when swamped.
Don't be fooled by claims of "seats six", however -- that may be true for sunset strolls in places with reliably calm winds, but it's really a two-up racer. Cockpit is huge but obstructed; the vang nearly meets the mainsheet, the CB trunk is tall, and getting crew across in high winds takes a certain degree of agility.
