Is She Worth a Look, or Should I Run in the Other Direction ?

[Rob Toronto]

Wow, I'm overwhelmed with the excellent advise. I want to thank you all.
I want to assure you that I'm in no way emotionally invested in this boat, but she does seem intriguing. Very likely more trouble than she is worth by the sounds of things, but I've never been one to shy away from labour if I feel the final result would be worth it. All in all, I'm still leaning towards at least going to have a look if for no other reason than to educate myself. And as very wisely advised, "Without bringing my cheque book."

[Nateman]

Rob, keep us posted on your findings!

[David M]

Just promise us you won't use Romex, wire nuts or dry wall in whatever boat you choose.

Just messing with you.

[S/V Alchemy]

Given you're looking at that aluminum 38 footer, take at look at that Irwin 37 ketch for sale at Marina Quay West. Newer, cleaner, nicer boat that's been lived aboard by clean 40 somethings going to a condo. From what I saw, it's not junk and far less of a fixer-upper than what you've mentioned.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by winterbuoy

AS a member of Mimico Cruising Club in Toronto I know this boat and the owner. No way he knew about all the problems it had before that survey, hence the price drop. He is not that mechanically inclined and looked after it the best he could. Yes I've seen it sailing in the past few years but that is no clue for anything. They are honest people and near us dockwise. That being said this boat does need a lot of work and you have to take that into account. I can tell you this, the other members at the club would not think twice about helping or giving advise, with this boat, if the new owner kept it there. It is a well known boat around the club and so are the owners. My 2 cents

Something is being said here that may add value to the boat. If the Mimico Cruising Club suits your style, then buying this boat may provide excellent access to the community.

They seem to want to keep the boat around, and that's a good thing.

[Rob Toronto]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

Given you're looking at that aluminum 38 footer, take at look at that Irwin 37 ketch for sale at Marina Quay West. Newer, cleaner, nicer boat that's been lived aboard by clean 40 somethings going to a condo. From what I saw, it's not junk and far less of a fixer-upper than what you've mentioned.

I meant to ask you about that when it first came up. Can you point me to a link? I couldn't find one in my searches.

[Rob Toronto]

Originally Posted by Bash

Something is being said here that may add value to the boat. If the Mimico Cruising Club suits your style, then buying this boat may provide excellent access to the community.

They seem to want to keep the boat around, and that's a good thing.

Great idea, but wrong end of the city. I'm at the far east end of the city, and will either be sailing out of Bluffer's, Frenchman's Bay, or Whitby. Too bad, sounds like a great idea otherwise.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by Rob Toronto

I meant to ask you about that when it first came up. Can you point me to a link? I couldn't find one in my searches.

1976 Irwin MK III sailboat for sale in Outside United States

It's a Mark III ketch. My understanding is that there is flexibility on the price.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by Rob Toronto

Great idea, but wrong end of the city. I'm at the far east end of the city, and will either be sailing out of Bluffer's, Frenchman's Bay, or Whitby. Too bad, sounds like a great idea otherwise.

You need to consider CC or shoal draft, realistically. I heard some boats didn't get out of Bluffers' recently until June because it was under six feet depth in their gap.

They are all nice places to be, however. Whitby's got weird dock power, 20 amps, requiring a fairly hard to source connector plug. It's also a very long walk to any kind of food or drink. But it's a nice place and all three are very friendly.

[Rob Toronto]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

You need to consider CC or shoal draft, realistically. I heard some boats didn't get out of Bluffers' recently until June because it was under six feet depth in their gap.

They are all nice places to be, however. Whitby's got weird dock power, 20 amps, requiring a fairly hard to source connector plug. It's also a very long walk to any kind of food or drink. But it's a nice place and all three are very friendly.

Any poop on Frenchman's Bay? Truthfully, it is our most likely candidate as it's only about 10 minutes from work.

[Rob Toronto]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

1976 Irwin MK III sailboat for sale in Outside United States

It's a Mark III ketch. My understanding is that there is flexibility on the price.

Awesome, thanks. Too bad the info is a little sparse. I guess I'll have to fill out the contact form.

[LoveMyWoodie]

So...Rob,did you look at the boat?

I'm hanging on the edge of my seat,waiting for the news.

I'm up the Niagara River and thinking since my friend has a barn and I have a dock on the river....

Let me know please.

Gotta go get my snow shovel out of the shed-lake effect snow tonight.

Merry Christmas

[Rob Toronto]

Originally Posted by LoveMyWoodie

So...Rob,did you look at the boat?

I'm hanging on the edge of my seat,waiting for the news.

I'm up the Niagara River and thinking since my friend has a barn and I have a dock on the river....

Let me know please.

Gotta go get my snow shovel out of the shed-lake effect snow tonight.

Merry Christmas

LOL, Apparently the broker is away until the 22nd. She is supposed to call when she gets back in town. I'm off work from the 23rd to the 3rd and hopefully I'll get to see it then. When I do, I'll take some pics and post'em for your perusal.

[Boracay]

If you want a project to keep you amused for the next 5 years then this would be a great boat, particularly if you can take it out of the water and move it next to your house.

That said, it's a '74 so in terms of resale it's not likely to be ever worth much more than what you pay for it. Have a look at my blog if you want to know how I know.

My standard "Wish I'd done this." comparison is with ex charter boats. For what you'll have to put into this you could probably pay for the trip down, pick up an Oceanis 393, do any required upgrades and have change left over.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by Rob Toronto

Any poop on Frenchman's Bay? Truthfully, it is our most likely candidate as it's only about 10 minutes from work.

I keep hearing that it's dredged at the entrance to more than six feet, but I bet that's measured in early June, not late September.

Inside, beyond Swan's, I have no idea if it's tenable for a six-foot draft. I've looked at boats in there from the land side, but I've never sailed into the bay itself. The charts aren't very promising, frankly.