Pros and cons of this Tanzer 26 please

[wjsobers]

Alita,

There is a name "Wings" surrounded by stars in the upper stripe. There was a name on the rear sides of the boat in old English or Celtic writing but they were to heavily covered and or sanded to be legible.

[wjsobers]

The main sail says T27. Owner swears it's a T26. Are the sails interchangeable? He also drilled several small wholes just under the step ladder for getting in and out of the cabin. He drilled a larger hole somewhere and said he will need to plug it before it is launched. It has an auto helm but he doesn't know how it works. The Origo 3000 stove looks like it should be replaced. There was also some type of furnace installed by the head sink wall in the main cabin. Not sure if it works. Boat is at a boat yard. The engine battery radio GPS and power inverter have been removed. No vhf radio either. There is a chart for the Chesapeake area. I found a battery under the port sette. The owner and his wife cleaned up the inside pretty well cause they were afraid I would just turn around and leave if they hadn't.

[wjsobers]

Attachment 1

[Sailmon]

I used to sell Tanzers in late 80s and early 90s. They were well built production boats with good bones and sailing pedigrees. As someone mentioned above, the 22 was renown for its seaworthiness and utility - once upon a time they had a huge one-design class racing association. One couple would actually sail their 22 from New England to Bermuda and back with regularity. Tanzers built in early 90s had some issues as the company moved in and out of bankruptcy, eventually closing doors for good. Would recommend a survey or inspection by very knowledgable and experienced sailor. While they have good (production boat) pedigree and history, at this age, condition of your particular boat is key. Replacement of unserviceable diesel will set you back at least $10,000. Dumping the diesel and installing an outboard will run at least $3,000 to $4000. If the centerboard pin is compromised, expect to invest significant dollars in repairing or replacing... And so on and so on. Standing rigging is another item that needs to be carefully inspected. If all is serviceable and you are only in for $1,000 to $2,000 you will have a great learning boat and coastal cruiser. Regarding tiller, do you just need the wooden handle or the metal assembly that the tiller attaches to. I currently work at the Cleveland West Marine and we have a very nice laminated wood tiller on the shelf.
Happy sailing,
Bob

[wjsobers]

Bob,

The Yanmar is said to be in running condition. However, I didn't get to see or hear the motor run. I only need the wood handle.

I have yet to decide on the Tanzer. My concerns are few. The main sail is marked T27 and the owner swears it's a T26. Not sure if the sails are interchangeable. I didn't get to hear the motor. Not sure if that is a big deal or not. Even if the motor runs, it doesn't mean the transmission works. Lastly he drilled a large hole somewhere that needs plugged before launch or it will take on water. He said it's not a big deal.

It's a $500 project boat. The inside is very clean. The teak needs oiled. It has a force 10 heater installed. It has been insulated throughout.

[Yellowtulip]

Why did he drill a hole in it, I wonder? If he did so to assess the state of the lamination and then found it to be unsound, then you need to know. GRP can become 'soft' if kept wet (i.e. by rainwater) for a long time. If that is the case, do not buy the boat. There will be other cheap boats.
Filling the hole may be more than trivial if access to the inside of the hull is restricted.

[wjsobers]

These small holes were supposedly drilled to let the cleaning water out of the cabin. The larger hole was drilled to keep water away from the motor. I thought bilge pumps were supposed to do that. But I guess that way was faster than installing a good battery and running the pumps.

[Sailmon]

Originally Posted by wjsobers

Attachment 149216

These small holes were supposedly drilled to let the cleaning water out of the cabin. The larger hole was drilled to keep water away from the motor. I thought bilge pumps were supposed to do that. But I guess that way was faster than installing a good battery and running the pumps.

The 3 holes appear to be limber holes and seem to be drilled through cross frame. Unusual to drill limber holes outside of bilge but shouldn't impact structural integrity or permit water to enter cabin. Where is the larger hole?
Bob

[wjsobers]

Bob,

I believe somewhere under the motor. But didn't actually get to see it.

Bill

[Yellowtulip]

The small holes don't seem to be a problem, I agree, though a bucket and sponge would have been a better method, or a hand pump. If there's a large hole under the engine, it might be tricky to fix. I question the owner's methods and motives. I think you should find another boat.

[Steadman Uhlich]

FYI:
Sometimes holes are drilled into a hull of a boat that is on the hard for a long time, in order to drain out water that accumulates due to rain and snow melt that can flood an abandoned or long term inactive or neglected boat. If there were no hole, the boat could fill with rain water, causing rot and corrosion. They are generally in the lowest part of the bilge.

That may not be the reason this boat has holes or a hole but it is a reason some do.

[wjsobers]

SH,

That is my understanding for the hole.

[Fiveslide]

Originally Posted by wjsobers

Attachment 149216

These small holes were supposedly drilled to let the cleaning water out of the cabin. The larger hole was drilled to keep water away from the motor. I thought bilge pumps were supposed to do that. But I guess that way was faster than installing a good battery and running the pumps.

Patching these holes is much easier than replacing rotten bulkheads, water damaged interior, waterlogged electrics/wire and a rusty hunk of engine. I know a couple people that have drilled holes to drain while on the hard during long restorations.

[Yellowtulip]

Holes in GRP hulls are generally fixable, but for a hole beneath the waterline, I would want it repaired well, with reinforcement on the inside. If this 'large' hole is under the engine that reinforcement may be very difficult.
The OP says the holes were to release 'cleaning water'. Drilling holes to mop up a small amount of water seems a little drastic to me.

[Scout 30]

Drilling limber holes without sealing them with epoxy can be a recipe for disaster. If drilled in the stringers that the engine is mounted on that can lead to saturation, wood rot & replacement of at least part of the stringer which can be a big repair. Ideally the hole should be oversized, filled with epoxy & then a small hole drilled through the epoxy.

That being said, if the Yanmar is serviceable it's worth a lot more than what you're paying for the boat. Personally I'd spend more up front & look for something a little bigger & in better condition but this would be a good learning platform. Here's a thread that SteadyHand started that you might want to take a look at:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ds-147098.html