Every wannabe cruiser’s biggest score!

[Rugger]

A couple years ago, living in Silicon Valley I developed an obsession with expedition vehicles. Learned everything about them and thought they were the coolest thing around….until a buddy from Sarasota stayed with me for a few days. He thought they were cool to but he was a sailor.

He said yeah those are cool and all but if you want a real expedition vehicle get a sailboat. They make their own water, their own power, and can go a LOT farther.

I thought it was a cool idea but wasn’t all the way into the idea. He tried to get me to fly to Puerto Rico to sail back with some of his friends. I couldn’t swing it at the time.

I followed his trip on the spot tracker and became hooked. Since then, I’ve read and watched the entire sailing related internet.

Six years ago, for the previous 10 years, I was very much into scuba diving in California, had a 24ft boat. I once added up the gps milage and it came out that i’ve done about 35000 miles on saltwater…all coastal. I know the basics of seamanship.

This idea may just work.

After 8 months of research, i talked to another sailor buddy. He said “you want a boat? You can HAVE mine. Come and get it! When you sell it we split it.” I didn’t think it would be much of a boat.

Boy was i wrong.

Since then I gave away 90% of my stuff, and moved to Florida from California. I don’t intend to live aboard just yet. Still adjusting to going from 1400sqft to 1 room…but i’ll get there.

So now for the boat: Stored for 3 years. Not a single hint of mold smell.
All systems stored properly…pickled etc….

Morris Yachts Annie 29 cutter
Hull purchased new in 1983, home built, launched in 1986. 80% of its life in great lakes
Yanmar 18hp…so clean i’d eat off of it
440 ah bank 6v batteries in series =12v
Dual alternators with gizmos that help them kick out 600w
2000w inverter charger (w/ desulfication function)
Main, Jib, Genny, Asymetrical Spinnaker
Fridge, sink, head
Water maker 25 gal per day runs off of bank
New Aircon
2 biminis w/ full enclosure
1 solar 85w
8 ft dink w/ 8 hp merc and stern davit…Will be named “Bubbles”

What it needs:
Bottom paint…hope to do copper
restore all external wood
Bleach and scrub the gelcoat
restitch all sunbrella
restep mast install bowsprit
Maybe running rigging…i hope its just faded

Needless to say, i’m beyond stoked. Cant wait to get it on the water!

Comments and advice are welcomed!

[vjm]

Absolutely wonderful boats. Score of the century!

[GordMay]

Wow!
➥ Annie 29 - Morris Yachts
➥ http://www.chuckpaine.com/pdf/30ANNIE230.pdf

[FSMike]

As usual, Gord said it best - Wow!
Morris has a great reputation. Enjoy.

[Steadman Uhlich]

You lucky sea dog!

She's a beauty.

Would love to have that boat. Have fun!

[SV THIRD DAY]

Fabulous story....so you owe it to others to share your adventure on a sailblog to inspire others about the cruising life. Plenty of good blog sites out there, but SailBlogs | Sailing Blog Hosting & Social Network is the most common. That way we can follow along as well!

[CSY Man]

. it came out that i’ve done about 35000 miles on saltwater…all coastal. I know the basics of seamanship.

Wow, 35,000 miles on a 24' dive boat?
Hat off to you Sir, that is a lot of dive trips and dives..

[wannacat]

Love the double alternator setup!!!! Wish I had enough room to do that on my Cat with both my 2GM20's!!!
Enjoy!

[Sea Dreaming]

Congratulations! Free? Awesome. Go ahead and have her surveyed. That way you will know much better what you have and what can be done to improve her. We recently purchased our boat (not yet anounced) and went in very well informed so we picked a great boat with no major issues. Still our surveyor pointed out somethings to change to improve safety. The survey cost was well worth it as these were things we had not thought about or didnt know about.
Dont be afraid of this. She looks like a great boat. It would be a shame to lose her for something you were not aware of.

[Don C L]

Ordinarily the most expensive boat is a free one, but you may have found the exception to the rule. It will be tough to find anyone who can beat that deal unless someone wants to PAY ME to take that nice Mason 43 I saw recently..... or I might win the lottery and be hit by a meteor... twice

[Ishmael]

The joke is on your buddy when you never sell it.

[PuttingDoctor]

Originally Posted by Ishmael

The joke is on your buddy when you never sell it.

Indeed! That's another reason to do the survey. It will give you a present value should your great friend fall on hard times and suggest you then sell the boat.

Let the expidition begin!

[krafthaus]

Originally Posted by Rugger

Since then, I’ve read and watched the entire sailing related internet.

I bet you missed a couple!

Good luck & enjoy. You will have a great time.

[BigNickMontana]

Cool score, looks like a really nice boat, really like the dual alternator setup, I will be doing the same in mine.

You going to keep her the same color?

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by CSY Man

Wow, 35,000 miles on a 24' dive boat?
Hat off to you Sir, that is a lot of dive trips and dives..

That caught my eye also. Must be a typo. 35,000 is around the world about 1-1/3 times. At any rate, a sweet deal.