Jeanneau centerboard - Attalia

[rbrame]

HELP! - I'm looking at a used 32 Jeanneau Attalia - It's priced right but the broker says there is a problem with the centerboard- He says it's steel and is rusted badly, to the point it needs fixing- (1986) He has been told to either pull and install a new fabricated centerboard ($4-5K), or to just fiberglass over the the centerboard slot in the keel.
The draft is 3"10" I think - I'm concerned about sailing performance if the centerboard can't be used_ I'm not a racer, just a cruiser, but I don't want to have to reef down significantly any time there is a moderate blow. Also, what about upwind performance. I need to make decision in the next couple of days but need some of this groups input. Thanks in advance for your advice.

[blt2ski]

You might try Jeanneau-owners.com, there is an owners forum there, with many attalia owners. Along with a list of folks with attalia's too.

I believe the attalia owners that have in the past responded here are all fin keel owners. I know of a fellow on the east coast with an Arcadia CB model, along with about 6-8 fin keel owners.

Personally, I would try to keep the CB functional, as that way in deeper water, you have better pointing ability among other niceties of a CB style boat.

I will also point out, in general, while these boats are reasonably fast, they are a bit tender to a point.

Marty

[catharsisdcyc]

Hello
I own an ATTALIA and am in the process of researching a new prop . My primary interest is cruising ....any suggestions ? .

[blt2ski]

You might want to put this question in one of the other sections. with that in mind. Are you considering a folding/feathering prop over a fixed? Even if not racing, ANY boat will net some speed with a non fixed prop while sailing. Some of the feathering like my max prop will allow one to reverse better tha a fixed too.

The origanal owner of my Arcadia said when he went from a 2 blade fixed to the max prop he gained upwards of 1 knot of speed in any given condition. While I would assume with an attalia you are not doing multi day sails in a row, ie at sea, that is still 24 miles per 24 hrs you can go farther, which for some crossings, is removing a day or two if you are traveling more than 7-10 days.

Marty