Considering 1988 Bayfield 32 - What do you think?

[benm]

Hi all,

My wife and I are thinking of buying a 1988 Bayfield 32 as our first boat. I've been sailing for some time now, mostly crewing on other people's boats and we did a few charters together on 26' to 30' boats.

We're planning on cruising the Vancouver islands inlets, maybe some coastal towards the US west coast. A good part of the year will be spent living on it as well.

We've been reading on specs, equipment and such, but first or second hand experience info is priceless!

Thanks for sharing your Bayfield experience with us!

Cheers, Ben & Christina

[rumiko dan]

Ben and Christina,
My wife and I bought a Bayfield 29 as our first boat. Neither of us had ANY sailing experience. We sailed and lived on her for 14 months in the Sea of Cortez and west coast Mexico. It is a great boat to learn on, and for us, to live on. We love our boat.

There is a great, friendly and responsive Bayfield group on Yahoo. Since we have never been on a 32 (although it is very similar to a 29), ask there.

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/...tions/messages

For us, the Bayfield 29 was the perfect boat.

Cheers,
Dan

[Stu Jackson]

Nice boats. Saw one in The Abacos years ago. Salty with a traditional interior.

Like any boat, check it out, but here are three things I suggest to everyone:

1. Dipstick access. If it's a pain to do, you won't, nor would the PO. Is it ewasy to get to or do you have to tear the cushions out?

2. What engine? Spare parts available? Yanmar parts are hard to get in Canada. And very expensive. Not a deal killer, but...

3. Sleeping - try out the berths. Really. Our boat has what I have found to be THE largest V berth of any boat in its size class, even the C36s. Try out the berths. Try out the berths...

[Bay29]

Absolutely 2nd the Bayfield Yahoo group. Dockmate has a 32 that started out on Lake Michigan. He bought it in Florida and soloed in back to Lake Erie. Bayfields tend to be under canvassed and between that and the hull design are a bit slow. Shallow draft is useful around shallow places like islands. Usual rules of things to check for on all boats from that era apply. We also have a 29 and like it enough that we are putting the early retirement plan into effect to enjoy this boat as much as possible rather than save up for something newer and bigger. I"think" some of the 32s had a tall mast option which would change performance some. Again, the Yahoo group is a strong resource.

[benm]

Hi all,

Thanks a lot for all your replies and insight!

Upon seeing a 2013 survey of the boat, there are several issues with the boat, one of them standing out especially. From the survey:

"Fiberglass engine beds are both cracked / torn at forward end / join with pan – amateur repairs have done nothing. Main fiberglass rib at galley / salon threshold is also torn . No further damage is noted further forward in the bilge and this type of damage is more typically found in of vessels with a bolt-on keel after a grounding than to those with the integral style keel of this vessel. Underbody inspection in drydock may, or may not explain this damage."

The seller had the boat on the hard and he says they saw a hull repair in the same area, they actually ground it to check for further damage, and they deemed it OK, re-repaired, painted and put back in the water.

Other than the obvious "Stay away from it, moron!", would anyone consider any other course of action at this point?

Cheers and thanks again!

Ben & Christina

[benm]

My apologies, I forgot to post a link to the boat for sale:

SALTS Sail and Life Training Society - 32' Bayfield

Ben

[Dave Lochner]

Ben and Christina,

The three questions to ask are:

How did the damage occur?

How much will cost to repair properly?

What other damage was caused by the incident?

The surveyor is correct, the damage he described is often found with a hard grounding with a bolt on keel.

Without seeing the damage it is hard to speculate, two thoughts come to mind, the boat was dropped from a travel lift or the prop was fouled by a line and the resulting forces broke the beds.

Dave