RE: IRWIN 43CC Mark III
Here are a few thoughts that prospective Irwin 43 buyers might want to consider. They illustrate the lessons I've learned the hard way, over a lot of sailing years, with seven (7) previous large cruising sailboats, and have survived to apply them to my present Irwin 43CC MKIII "CABARET (which may or may not be on the market this year- depends on
health issues for both of us.)
Ive owned her for 1.5 years - she'd just returned from her 6th
Bahamas season, in very good order,
sold due to the owner's
health. Since then I've spent a lot of $$ on"infrastructure" improvements: the things that don't show or add glitz or "curb appeal", but the things the really knowledgeable buyer or
Surveyor will look at first.
For Example: a 6" diameter
diesel tank cleanout access
hatch, plus a System Boss
fuel polishing and filtration system with alarms at the helm- to address the typical island issues with contaminated fuel. All new standing
rigging, turnbuckles,and
lifelines. A total professional review of all mechanical systems, replacement of nearly every hose below the waterline "just because" (ie because any one of these can sink you). Disassembly and servicing of the MaxProp (now!- before it runs out of grease and locks up), a new internal
roller furling mainsail system (Facnor) with new sail, new Kato
davits, new
RIB,
solar panels, etc.( She already had 2
air conditioning units, heavy duty AC and DC electrics,
wind and
solar chargers, inverters etc.) All new hoses, valves and level gauges for the holding
tanks, a new LectraScan....things like that. I think the US
Navy calls this "Preventive Maintainance". Seldom applied to sailboats.
I think the US
Navy calls this "Preventive Maintainance". Seldom applied to sailboats. Think on all this. AND REMEMBER: the natural condition of every boat is SUNK. It's only by our continuous attention and relentless diligence that they can be persuaded to FLOAT.
With all that behind me I am now doing the cure stuff:
interior & exterior detailing and re-varnishing, Next will be updated nav
electronics for this season. Maybe even a flat
screen TV and
DVD (for hopelessly addicted landside guests with an eight minute attention span).