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Day 3175
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Jan
9
Written by:
Alex
1/9/2012 6:50 AM
 I found these old pictures of Splendid which were taken just a few weeks after I bought her. What a different boat she is now!
Splendid was the first boat I looked at after returning to the United States from Japan. I heard about her from a friend, and heard she was rotting in a yard (The Glades) in the middle of Florida. The Glades is the cheapest place to put a boat and many, many, many, boats go there to die. It reminds me of the airplane graveyard but for boats. The Glades is basically a cow pasture with a travel lift, far, far away from the sea. When I first walked through the fenced storage area it was a bit sad, so many nice boats laid to rest. Why do these people pay every month was the question that was going through my mind. My answer was they were just holding on to a vanishing dream. Splendid sat crooked on her jacks, most of her weight on the forward starboard side, the hull was cracked from the stress, she looked in pain. She smiled and said “Hi, I’m Splendid, please don't let me rot here another year, I've been here nearly 8, I wish to sail the sea again”! She looked proud even though she was beaten up. I looked inside…, mold, rot, & neglect, however the owner did a very smart thing, there was a bronze plug on the bottom of the keel, it was removed and the rainwater could travel through the boat and trickle outside. Splendid was in bad shape and when it rained she leaked everywhere. I poked at some bulkhead and my finger penetrated through. I knew she was my boat and immediately started negotiating. I liked her lines, layout, and she had a solid hull. She looked spritely, comfortable, and something that I could turn into a home to retire on. I knew what i was looking at and knew that this would be no easy task, but the price was right. I bought Splendid without a survey, financing, or a sea trial. She was a good little ship that needed a break and a captain that would look after her and bring her back from near death. My intention was to put her in the water and immediately sail here to Panama to turn her into the boat that would tend to the rest of my life travels & adventures in exchange for some love & elbow grease. I had her moved from the graveyard to the work area. Some old men laughed at me, “So you bought that old Cheoy leaky” The offered me a beer and a chair. “Make yourself at home, you’ll be here a while”, they snickered. Sorry guys I’m getting splashed Thursday after next and sailing to Panama. “WHAT, Are you mad, you don't know what your doing boy, it’s not safe”! They shook their heads at me over the next few weeks as I worked from sunup to sundown. I replaced half of the through-hulls, pulled the shaft & prop for balancing, replaced the cutlass bearing, fixed the cracked hull, and did a bottom job with the help of some friends. I splashed Thursday after  next and was proudly the spectacle of the Glades :) I’m sure those old men thought I was as dumb as a Florida fence post. Into the river and through the locks we go, Panama and beyond please! Rivers are tricky things to navigate as you only have two choices, upstream or downstream. Rivers are jokesters and bring you places you don't necessarily want to go, its strange to sail a boat so far from the sea, its just unnatural! Downstream brought me to the love of a woman and a bit more off course than I knew. In 2012 I simply vow to be Alex Dorsey and heed my own words to sail far & live slowly. You know the story of the scorpion and the frog? The scorpion was sitting on a rock when the rain came and brought a flood. With the rising water the scorpion asked a passing frog for a ride to shore. The frog said “but you'll sting me”. The scorpion replied “no I wont, I just don't want to die.”. The kindly frog brought the scorpion for the ride and half way to shore the scorpion stung the frog in the back. The frog asked “Why would you, now we will both die”? “ I’m sorry, I’m a scorpion, it’s just my nature”. We are what we are. I’m not a family man or business man. I’m a solo-sailor, and that makes me soooo happy. My path is on Splendid with the world at my finger tips. Love will come and go as will friends. I’m a gypsy, a traveler, a nut, a hypocrite, a minimalist, and a philosopher, not to mention a bad speller :) But what's important is at the end of the day I’m happy to have a hole in my pocket and this old boat to call home going into this new year.  I’ve come far with my repairs. The decks are done and awaiting nonskid. The cracked and damaged cabin houses are solid, dry, and white. There are no leeks, and Splendid is happy, proud, and almost ready. All the chain plates (12) have been pulled, inspected, and fitted with new bolts (many were broken).
In my imitate future my goals are to get her stanchions back on and get the non-skid done. These are the only two things I must do before my guest in a month and the San Blas.  I have a million other projects to attend to but they are almost all cosmetic or luxury items. I can breathe easier now that my beautiful girl isn't going to get wet & rot. There are two lists on Splendid, must do, and want too. My must do list is getting shorter :)
I got pulled over by the National police the other day on the motorcycle. They really busted my ass and detained me for a few hours. I’m sure they were waiting for a bribe. I did a really stupid thing and lost my temper when one of them hinted to such. “I’m sorry but corruption is bad for Panama and I love Panama, you will not get a cent from me!” I shouted this pointing my finger at the UZI carrying officer and instantly knew I was F’d! 
Surprisingly they let me return home with my motorcycle. They didn't let me pass the checkpoint to the city but I made it out of there with my bike, Passport, & license. I really, really don't like to be harassed. This was the first time ever outside of the United States.
I looked into getting a new sticker and it involves buying insurance as of 2012, and a few other expenses that will set me back a few hundred. It’s back on the bus for now :( I’m going to store the bike at a friends house. Anyway guys, I’m off for a swim. I know I’ve been quiet lately but I’ve been hyper-focused on work. I vow to do a lot of sailing this year wherever I am, probably not as much as the more than 10,000 miles in 2007, but a few! Peace, love, & coconuts. I am a Gypsy-Drifter! Gypsy Drifter was going to be the name for Splendid but I couldn't change it as it has history. Sail far and Live slowly. - Alex
Tags:
43 comment(s) so far...
Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Good Morning Alex:
Great post and thanks for the email. It does me good to be a supporter of Project Blue Sphere. I'll keep sendin' it in, you keep puttin' it out. Deal? Deal.
Weather's good, charters are picking up. Enjoying things even the new battery problem. I love boats, because I love the puzzles. Maybe a battery, maybe a ground, maybe a fried wire, maybe a loose connection... Ha. Keeps me smiling and grateful I have the coconuts to laugh about it because usually, in the end, it's none of the things I spent days chasing down. It will be a button I forgot to push or a switch that I didn't flip. Then there's the party with a new story.
Sail on brother. I'll be seeing you as soon as my back is a bit better and it is getting better as I write. Can't stop now.
Non-skid? Yep. I'm there now too. My Dad's ashes are on board and I'm thinking I'll just mix him up with some two part and he'll be happy. Real happy. No one will know the difference except the readers here. My sister will freak, but he was a boater. Can't think of a better place for him.
By the way it really was a great post. Welcome home.
We'll be talking soon... I'll watch Skype.
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
By Capt. Paul West on
1/9/2012 8:40 AM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Ok, so every time I looked at a photo and returned, it re posted my post. I will leave it in your hands now. Sorry.
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
By Capt. Paul West on
1/9/2012 9:15 AM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
No worries Paul it's a weird glitch I got used to dealing with, thanks brother, sail far :)
By Capt. Paul West on
1/9/2012 4:57 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Hi Alex,hope you remember me in west central FL, I got more questions.. That lawsuit I told you about is done, (took three years!!!) I hate lawers! To questions- I had hoped for more money but it looks like 50000 is what I got to work with & was thinking maybe 15000 to 25000 max for a boat.. Maybe could do better after the house sells but I don`t want to wait for that,been waiting for years already to go play & I want to buy a boat in the next couple of months & really am asking for any ideas on how to find something I can spend most of the rest of my life on?? I, like you can do most repairs myself & have been watching E-bay but now its time to get serious, that graveyard is a thought or I am open to ideas.. Alex or any of your fellow readers, help me find something!! Butch
By Butch on
1/10/2012 7:33 AM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Butch, since your I'n Florida I would take a drive up to the glades if I were you. The woman that works there isnt so helpful but I you go for the day check the bord and talk to some people. You are not allowed to walk around the storage area (grave yard) but you might get lucky.
There are a few boats down here I know of, and I don't know your living situation but if your able to pick up and move with no attachments it's a good thing, don't be afraide to move to another country for the right boat.
By Alex on
1/10/2012 8:14 AM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
I have been reading a lot of articles and watching youtube vids about micro cruising. You talk about minimulist cruising! I have a little Sanibel 18 that I am going to sail from Tampa Bay area down to the keys this spring. I think it will be just like camping. Maybe I will stop and say hello to Capt. Paul along the way. Happy sailing Alex!
David
By dave@networksconnect.net on
1/10/2012 10:52 AM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
I have been reading a lot of articles and watching youtube vids about micro cruising. You talk about minimulist cruising! I have a little Sanibel 18 that I am going to sail from Tampa Bay area down to the keys this spring. I think it will be just like camping. Maybe I will stop and say hello to Capt. Paul along the way. Happy sailing Alex!
David
By dave@networksconnect.net on
1/10/2012 11:34 AM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Alex, I find the right thing & I can go, only thing holding me is my two Akitas & if I don`t have to fly they can come with or I will make arangements to board them if I have to.. Where is this boneyard in the Glades? How do I find it? I am 20 min. east of Tarpon springs Sponge docks, looking sor something in the so called (sweetspot) 34 -38 ft, less than 25 max.. Will be ready in Feb.. Thanks
By Butch on
1/10/2012 3:13 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Glades Boat Yard
www.gladesboatstorage.com/location-map.htm
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
By Capt. Paul West on
1/10/2012 4:44 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Butch,
there is also a place on the Okachobee on the eastern side of the lake, I forget the name but when I was there lots of deals to be had. Also get on the phone and call marinas & yards. Then often get boats for non payment of services. Also with cash I'n pocket walking the docks and talking to people goes a long way. Good luck,'and let me know what you find and share the deals you don't want here, I know a few of my readers are ready to move if the right deal presents itself.
By Alex on
1/10/2012 4:58 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Hey thats cool! Looks like I have a day trip coming. just right for a good scooter ride,Thanks!! I will let ya know! If something good pops up let me know..
By Butch on
1/10/2012 5:53 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Butch, there is a morgen out island 41 down here asking 35k (negotiable) check the Panama craigslist
By Alex on
1/11/2012 2:53 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
There is a 50' Norris on ebay for $32,000 by it now obo (project). The couple lived on it for the last 8yrs and are swallowing the anchor.
By cole on
1/11/2012 5:46 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
The bone yard just east of the lake is ..Indian Town,,
By sandbarsam on
1/12/2012 9:15 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Green Cove Springs Marina often has a lot of decent project boats.
Use ww.searchtempest.com to search multiple Craigslists at the same time. Put "Sail, sails, sailboat" in the search field, select "any" and set a healthy circumference for best results. This gets just about every sailboat listed no matter how poorly described by the seller.
For the right price, and if I find something I'd rather have, I may even be willing to sell Starquest...
By Seafarer on
1/12/2012 10:25 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Check this out... A Hans Christian 38 for 20k! Is this a smokin deal or what??
www.sailboatlistings.com/view/26960
By Dave Breault on
1/12/2012 11:13 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
An Allied Princes for $18,000obo. Already done two circumnavigations and includes tons of equipment:
charleston.craigslist.org/boa/2723756032.html
Alex, if you could have the forum fixed so we could post to it again, we could put these there.
By Seafarer on
1/13/2012 11:32 AM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Hey Alex, been a while, but I'm still here. To the point, I was at a Mega-electronics store today and I saw something I thought was neat. Ever heard of GoPro cameras? They're wearable (as in helmet or chest mounted), HD, and shoot stills and video. I dunno if that'd fit your requirements, but thought I'd mention it. The website makes mention of mounting on a surfboard, stuff like that. I like it, want one, and I'm not even in film production. Anyway, happy New Year. Maybe one day I will actually get to say hello in person. Haven't let go of the dream yet.
By Tim on
1/15/2012 1:30 AM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Tim, i have heard of a gopro and have one on my list for underwater video. I met a really cool woman from Argentina and I'm taking a week off to have some fun, it's good to know there are a few good hippi chicks left :)
By Alex on
1/15/2012 5:21 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Alex! Alex! Alex!,
what's the Argentine word for scorpian?
Sharne.
By Sharne on
1/15/2012 9:30 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Hardly a scorpion, more like a lady bug.
By Alex on
1/15/2012 11:24 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
glad to see you found a girl......hope Argentina works out better than Venezuela......you have had bad luck in that area with women.....just sayin.....2 more days work and i am painting with lic 40....went with raymarine c-120...G
By gary on
1/16/2012 8:57 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Hardly a scorpion, more like a lady bug.
By Alex on
1/17/2012 1:19 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Send a picture of the Lady Bug!
By sandbarsam on
1/18/2012 7:31 AM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
I will for sure, we clicked I'n a really positive way. She's going back to Argentina for a few weeks and returning, well be spending some time together, don't ask ?
By Alex on
1/18/2012 10:30 AM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Holy hell- check this out!
miami.craigslist.org/mdc/boa/2795950997.html
That's a great world cruiser for someone with more time than money!
By Seafarer on
1/18/2012 11:23 AM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
One of you experts tell me if it is worth my time. And how much to offer. My 10k savings is quickly dwindling with this pending divorce. Is there anyone near Coconut Grove that can put on a hazard suit and check it out?
By Chuck Lanham on
1/18/2012 8:25 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
I was just down in coconut grove last week. Saw the boat but didn't go on board. Needs LOTS of work!!!!!! Max offer --- 2500.00. Did I mention it needs LOTS of work?
By Chuck on
1/19/2012 3:51 AM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
One of you experts tell me if it is worth my time. And how much to offer. My 10k savings is quickly dwindling with this pending divorce. Is there anyone near Coconut Grove that can put on a hazard suit and check it out?
By Chuck Lanham on
1/19/2012 7:04 AM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Alex, how are you doing? I have a question for you or even anyone with some knowledge, I have found a 1979 26' Seafarer.. I have researched and I have seen nothing but good about them... the one I am looking at has an outboard and no inboard. I dont have a problem with that, the problem is I cant find any 1979 26' seafarer info.. all the owner knows, is that it never had an inboard and that it was made in long island, No Designer or anything. I have pics that the owner sent me if someone could help I would send you them to help...
Thanks
Steve
BTW Alex when is the next vid coming out? cant wait to see what you got going on
By Steve on
1/19/2012 9:50 AM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
im really excited and think im going to go look ans the Seafarer this weekend.. the guy wants 2800 for it and its in Sodus Bay, NY Lake Ontario.. which is ok since I live in Point Breeze, NY.. SO any intel before i go would be great
Steve
By Steve on
1/19/2012 9:57 AM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Steve:
www.sailboatdata.com/VIEWRECORD.ASP?CLASS_ID=534
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
By Capt. Paul West on
1/19/2012 1:09 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
I don't know much about either boats but they would have to be surveyed. I'll do some surfing on them tonight.
By Alex on
1/19/2012 3:57 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
I ran across a Cal 27 in St. Pete, FL. Guy says there's a reef on the bottom and just came back from the Bahamas a while back. Auto Pilot, wind vane and basic electronics. I asked him what he wanted for the boat and he told me he has an Evenrude 9.9 and to make an offer on the engine and the boat comes along with it.
I think the engine is worth about $600.00 from what I found on the Internet. I'm thinking that's a pretty good deal.
I'll let you know more as things progress.
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
By Capt. Paul West on
1/19/2012 5:14 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Capt. Paul thanks for the quick link I found another and it seemed to have the right specs and all take a look and et me know what you think.. seafarer-research-center.com/seafarer26.htm
By cold_cell2001 on
1/20/2012 12:03 AM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
This is GR8, I want 2 sea my readers buying boats I'n 2021!!!!!!! I have a lot of friends who would take a cal 27 anywhere, like my buddy jamie who circumnavigated under all 3 capes is a little fiberglass 26 :)
By Alex on
1/20/2012 7:41 AM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Hi Alex, I sailed a seafarer like that to the Keys a couple of times & it was great! The one we had had an outboard honda 9.9 & the wind was out of the south & we motored from tarpon springs to marathon on 38 dollars of gas!! 6 knots hull speed at about half throttle.. Only thing I did not like about it was the motor was down low & if you need to work on it its like standing on your head & doing the job!! It also had a space where you could put a inboard in if you wanted, the hole was never drilled for the prop shaft but it was built to recieve a inboard or an outboard, kinda cool.. My buddy wanted to put an eletric motor in that spot & have both.. Also its GREAT to get feedback & help from your readers.. I will wait just a little more & will buy something this year for sure,, keep em coming... Capt.Paul,, Thank you for info,, you ROCK!! Butch
By Butch on
1/20/2012 9:16 AM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Electric motors are cool :) I've head of people just getting them out of an old golf cart and adapting. I'd keep an outboard as well and try to only use it as a backup.
By Alex on
1/20/2012 12:23 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Hey Everyone:
I think this guy wants his baby to go to a good home. Below is my first contact with him and then the second.
If you are interested, let me know and I'll give you the information to contact him.
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
First Contact:
Re: Catalina 27 yes for sale
lyman@naval.com you can find me on skype
give me a good price for the motor and the boat goes with it, It would be nice to go for one more sail.
Second contact:
Catalina 27 yes for sale
My dreams are gone of sailing around the world. Age has its grip. I did the Bahamas alone and loved it. Old girl needs bottom job and some interior re finishing. Have my staff clorox it often. Oyster bed on the bottom. Motor 9.9 Evenrude has low hours and we run it for 20 min in gear once a month. Two autopilots with tiller sterring and windvane steering and gps interface. Good compass and heavy winches and roller furing. Have twin gennies for self steering downwing and both fit the furling gear together. Spare engine also very low hours. They got me out of the marina and back in.. 2 months Bahamas and 22 gallons of fuel ie 22 hours... gotta charge batteries some time~!
By Capt. Paul West on
1/20/2012 9:11 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
After reading my post, the contact information is there for you. I just dropped him a line to see if she was still for sail. I'll let you know when I get a response. I first contacted him in December of 11.
Here's the link for a youtube video of him around the Bahamas: www.youtube.com/watch?v=udvTzCuk60Y
So there you go. Best of luck. Shoot, I'd buy it for parts! So you've got a small window...
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
By Capt. Paul West on
1/20/2012 9:22 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
After reading my post, the contact information is there for you. I just dropped him a line to see if she was still for sail. I'll let you know when I get a response. I first contacted him in December of 11.
Here's the link for a youtube video of him around the Bahamas: www.youtube.com/watch?v=udvTzCuk60Y
So there you go. Best of luck. Shoot, I'd buy it for parts! So you've got a small window...
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
By Capt. Paul West on
1/21/2012 7:57 AM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Ooops... It's a Catalina 27 that's for sale. Just got a reply from the owner and he wants $1000.00 for it. Here's what he just wrote:
1000.00 with recent working motor. run once a month.
oysters on the bottom
at private dock
the electric toilet motor went south
have a new one but not installed
all cushions etc at my home in good condition
Do with it what you want, but the Catalina is a good boat for a production boat.
Capt. Paul
s/v Panacea
By Capt. Paul West on
1/23/2012 11:10 PM
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Re: 2012, I am who I am!
Alex,
I just became a member, nice site... It appears that you have a few members who are looking for a small capable boat that wont break the bank. I have a Cape Dory 28 that I have been working on for the past several years in preparation to sail off after retirement However I had an opportunity to purchase a 1980 Baba 40 so I have been thinking about selling the CD. The boat is a 1978 Cape Dory 28 its not completely finished but with a little more work it would make for a great platform to set off in. Here is a partial list of new equipment; New mast and Selden single line reefing boom, Lewmar 30 self tailing primary winches,over sized turnbuckles(1/2" pins) and stainless rigging wire (7/32 and 9/32) and Sta-lok terminals, electric anchor windlass, S/S bow roller, Bruce and CQR anchors, composting head, Kerosene heater, propane oven (not new), cold machine refrigeration and more. This boat is on a triple axle custom trailer that would be included. 30K would buy it all depending on what equipment the buyer would or would not want.
Thanks Philip Lawrence
By Stormy Duchess on
2/11/2012 11:35 PM
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