[SOLD] Hans Christian 43 Traditional Ketch

[RainCaster]

Built in 1978 for one of the corporate principals, this sailboat is very well equipped even by Hans Christian’s standards. This boat has two more layers of laminate than a normal HC43, and she also has a lead keel instead of iron. Stiff is an understatement when describing this vessel.

She has been a great little ship for us, comfortable in rough weather and the boat all others want to raft with at anchor. After 20+ years, it's time for Mystique to find a new home; as we are paying college tuitions. We do not want a partnership or a trade and we won't carry the loan. She completed a top sides refit in 2015 that included new deck coring (foam), new LPU paint on the decks and coach roof surfaces, and new FlexiTeak surfaces for the coach roof, decks and cockpit. This is the soundest HC 43 available anywhere.

If you are seriously looking for a classic boat without the maintenance, PM us and we can begin discussions. She is currently located near Seattle, Washington (USA) and her current moorage can be assumed.





Price: $115,000 US
Location: Kingston, WA USA
Manufacturer: Hans Christian Yachts
LOD: 43 feet
LOA: 56 feet
Beam: 13 feet, 6 inches
Draft: 6 feet
Disp: 34,500 lbs
Diesel: 120 gal
Water: 175 gal

Electronics include; Wind, speed, depth, and a gyro-stabilized below decks autopilot. Two VHFs, two GPSs, backup depth sounder.

Condition is (almost) ready to go. She needs new sheets & halyards. Her main water tank is SS and there are some pin hole leaks in the weld seams. Leaks a liter a month- just enough to keep the bilge wet. The dodger is removed, and would make a great pattern for a new one. Anchor chain could be replaced.

We have our own web site with lots of photos and additional information. There is video walk-through as well.

[docrn]

I look at the listing for this boat from time to time (I live in Oregon) and always wonder how it sails. I assume it takes a lot of wind to move her but she’s gorgeous! When was the standing rigging last done? That seems to be a problem with insuring older boats these days. Boat US won’t insure anything of this vintage that’s not had the standing rigging replaced within the last 10yrs and was part of the reason I had to back out of an 85 Westwind (that and some shady wiring and old fuel lines and LPG gas system issues...).

Oh I also have a little 8’ Fatty Knees that would go great with this boat! ; )

[RainCaster]

We bought her in 1995 and have had her insured with BOAT US since 1998. Every five years they ask for a survey, and have never required anything except what comes up in the survey. Those requirements are always new flares, and once they wanted a new float switch on the bilge pumps.

A Fatty Knees would be a beautiful dink for this boat.

[Beatle]

Lol, I've been close to emailing you on this boat several times as well

[Rowglide]

Originally Posted by docrn

I look at the listing for this boat from time to time (I live in Oregon) and always wonder how it sails. I assume it takes a lot of wind to move her but she’s gorgeous! When was the standing rigging last done? That seems to be a problem with insuring older boats these days. Boat US won’t insure anything of this vintage that’s not had the standing rigging replaced within the last 10yrs and was part of the reason I had to back out of an 85 Westwind (that and some shady wiring and old fuel lines and LPG gas system issues...).

Oh I also have a little 8’ Fatty Knees that would go great with this boat! ; )

I own an identical boat, the Abagail, (1979 also with lead keel and extra laminate.) I can testify that the HC43T is an able sailing boat. It is NOT a motorsailor. It is a sailboat and is willing to move comfortably on all points of sail. They will sail in 6 knots of breeze and it gets better as the wind builds to 10, 15, 20...
Obviously it doesn't point like a modern design but it more than makes up for it in comfort and style.
There are some videos online of SV Staban that show the beauty of this boat under sail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qKvW9GU8sk

The chainplates are very easy to access / remove for examination.
This one has it all.
Jim

[RainCaster]

Thanks for the great video Jim. People are surprised at how well these boats do in the wind. Mystique was the boat mentioned in the 43 brochure as participating in a number of SoCal to Mexico races. Under my care she was also the first HC to compete in the Swiftsure race out of Victoria BC. Mostly she has been a great cruiser for us and we arrive comfortable and safe in port each time. I single-hand her in 40+ winds and my biggest challenge is backing her into the slip in strong cross winds. There is a long series of photos of her refit in the Hans Christian Owners Assn. site, including the chain-plates, new deck rebuild and new bowsprit fab.

[x_HoldFast_x]

Originally Posted by RainCaster

Thanks for the great video Jim. People are surprised at how well these boats do in the wind. Mystique was the boat mentioned in the 43 brochure as participating in a number of SoCal to Mexico races. Under my care she was also the first HC to compete in the Swiftsure race out of Victoria BC. Mostly she has been a great cruiser for us and we arrive comfortable and safe in port each time. I single-hand her in 40+ winds and my biggest challenge is backing her into the slip in strong cross winds. There is a long series of photos of her refit in the Hans Christian Owners Assn. site, including the chain-plates, new deck rebuild and new bowsprit fab.

I also come back to this boat. Just beautiful. What seems to keep her from finding a new owner? Or the right owner?

[RainCaster]

I wish I knew the answer to that question. Every year, I start the boating season with a new broker who tells me they know everything I need to get a buyer. As time goes on, it seems that they go through their few contacts and that is all. A few photos in their office window and occasionally a listing on some "MLS for boats" site.
She attracts a lot of dreamers, but I never met anyone serious.

[RainCaster]

Originally Posted by x_HoldFast_x

I also come back to this boat. Just beautiful. What seems to keep her from finding a new owner? Or the right owner?

One of the problems with boats of this vintage is the repair work needed. But that has all been done here. Zero maintenance fake teak decks with foam coring will last forever and are superior to most other deck surfaces when wet. Chain plates are in perfect shape, engine has few hours, sails are cruise ready, plumbing and wiring have already been done.

So add your favorite ground tackle, SSB, watermaker, and go!

[Lowcountry]

It's tough for people to get a loan on a boat older than 20 years, and most people don't have $115k laying around to buy a 40 year-old boat. Also, most people have grown up hearing horror stories about boats with teak decks, and Hans Christians have those, not to mention the tremendous amount of varnished exterior teak to maintain. Your boat is going to appeal to a limited market that is shrinking all the time. She is also 43' on deck, but has another 9' or so of bowsprit and stern pulpit, so a buyer would be looking at slip fees for a 52' boat. People just don't want to deal with these things anymore. I am an exception to that in that I love the traditional looks, teak decks and brightwork. I'm currently in the market for a Hans Christian 33. Your boat is very nice and is beautiful, but I'm just trying to give you reasons for your difficulty in finding a buyer.

[JC Reefer]

Lowcountry makes some sound points.

Looking at yachtworld we can see that your priced in the ballpark of the others that are listed. Do you have any idea how long other sister vessels have had to wait to be sold?

If there is a FB group for you vessel then you might be able to find out what some have actually sold for.

List price is only a starting point.

[Lowcountry]

I ran a search for HC43's ranging from 1977 to 1983 that have sold in the past five years and came up with this. Top number is asking price and list date, bottom number is selling price and sale date:

43'
Hans Christian 43T
1979
114,900
(08/16)
109,500
(01/17)
WA, USA
Seattle



43'
Hans Christian 43T
1978
119,500
(08/17)
109,000
(10/17)
CA, USA




43'
Hans Christian 43
1984
118,577
(09/11)
107,284
(11/18)
Portugal




43'
Hans Christian 43 Traditional Offshore Ketch
1981
112,003
(08/13)
104,486
(06/14)
BC, Can




43'
Hans Christian 43
1981
129,000
(01/17)
100,000
(01/19)
Malaysia




43'
Hans Christian 43T
1981
100,000
(12/11)
87,000
(09/14)
Malaysia




43'
Hans Christian 43
1978
99,900
(07/13)
82,500
(03/14)
NY, USA




57'
Hans Christian 43T
1981
75,000
(10/16)
60,000
(12/16)
HI, USA




43'
Hans Christian 43
1978
74,900
(04/16)
50,000
(02/19)
MD, USA




43'
Hans Christian 43 cutter
1979
60,000
(10/14)
35,000
(05/16)
WA, USA

I looked again at your initial post and noticed that you have replaced teak decks with synthetic, which should be a good selling point for you boat. Best wishes for a sale.

[Scout 30]

You won't want to hear this but, as an appraiser for the last 30 years, if something does not sell it's always because of the price.