Potential first boat...

[Piglet]

1978 Bristol 29.9 sailboat for sale in Florida

My wife and I are noobs at cruising (not sailing) and are looking for our first boat.

The one above fits into most of our desired catagories (<20K, around 30', located in FL Gulf Coast), but we are clue-less as to what "gotchas" to look for.

Any advice, suggestions, horror stories, snide remarks will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[jasterling]

Piglet: I just have decided to sell my 71 34' Columbia MKII, located near Pensacola. At only $10,500, it is well within your budget and it doesn't need much to make her "ship-shape". If you are interested, you can call me at (865) 640-7737
John

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by Piglet

1978 Bristol 29.9 sailboat for sale in Florida

My wife and I are noobs at cruising (not sailing) and are looking for our first boat.

The one above fits into most of our desired catagories (<20K, around 30', located in FL Gulf Coast), but we are clue-less as to what "gotchas" to look for.

Any advice, suggestions, horror stories, snide remarks will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

That is a good looking boat. If it is as advertised you are on a good path. My list of gotchas are always the same.

- hull condiiton - good survey for osmosis, delamination and soft spots
- engine condition - run it hard on survey. Watch out if engine has been "warmed up" prior to sea trial
- standing rigging. Good inspection, try to get age/history. Look for splices in any spars
- sails. Tired is OK. Blown out and patched not so OK.
- batteries and electrical system. Batteries for age. Electrical system for professional appearance. If it looks like a rats nest it probably is.

Get a good independant surveyor. On a boat this cheap it may seem like an extravagance but all of the above can quickly outstrip the asking price of the boat to fix. Ak the surveyor if he has experience with delamination and other fiberglass boat issues. Ask him if he goes up the mast or surveys from ground level only.

Regardless of all that be prepared to spend 1/3 the boat value in the first year upgrading stuff you want and fixing stuff you missed.