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Old 05-11-2010, 05:53   #1
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Can a 27' Bayliner Buccaneer Ever Be a Bluewater Cruiser ?

I own a 27' Bayliner Buccaneer Sailboat and yes I know before I ask anymore questions I know that it is indeed the "football sailboat". Against the jeers and guffaws I have now come to expect I want to know can this boat ever be a Blue-water vessel? Taken off-shore and to distant ports like Mexico and Alaska (I live on the West Coast). Marks against this is its high profile on the water and a rudder that is not attached to the full keel. But if I extend the bow sprit and make other adjustments would it be possible? This is where I am opening the forum, what adjustments could I make to make my dream a reality. For those of you unaware of the hull for this beast it is an overbuilt fiberglass and plywood sandwich. I have seated the mast and installed a self-furrowing Jib, powered by an 8 horse Nissan outboard. Please understand my sensitivity in regards to the underappreciated Buccaneer and limit your responses to constructive suggestions. If I had wanted abuse I would have asked my Ex. Thanks in advance for your advice, James Dieterich.
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Old 05-11-2010, 05:58   #2
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Any boat can be 'Harbour hopped' along a coastline... just time your hops with favourable winds and weather....
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Old 05-11-2010, 06:02   #3
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Originally Posted by James Dieterich View Post
I own a 27' Bayliner Buccaneer Sailboat ...I want to know can this boat ever be a Blue-water vessel?
Yes. Well... at least once.

Having been aboard a friend's boat of that make, I would not recommend it however.
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Old 05-11-2010, 06:17   #4
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First, since the term may have quite different meanings to different people, we should clarify your exact meaning of bluewater cruising. Let's assume you mean crossing oceans or at least going offshore far enough that you could not reach port for many days, a situation that could expose you to severe weather conditions and a boat that will handle those conditions.

I am slightly familiar with the Buccaneer and, as you know, they don't have a reputation for heavy duty construction. You claim the hull is over built but what about the other parts of the boat? To handle rough weather the rig will be a critical component. How strong is the mast? Is it small and thin or heavy duty? What about the chain plates? How heavy and how are they attached to the boat? Is the hull or bulkhead where the chainplates attach strong and reinforced? What about the rigging? Heavy wire, adequate turnbuckles?

A rudder not attached to the keel is not necessarily bad but how strong is it, how is it attached to the boat, how strong is the rudder post?

Steering. Well built and well attached?

Hatches and ports? Able to withstand a heavy boarding sea?

Cockpit drains, large enough to drain quickly?

Through-hull fittings? All well attached with a proper sea cock?

Basically you should look at the whole boat and evaluate everything that makes it go and keeps the water on the outside.
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Old 05-11-2010, 07:34   #5
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You are going to end up spending so much time and money to make this boat ocean ready that you would be better off selling it and buying another boat that was designed from the ground up to be more suitable to the kind of sailing that you want to do.
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Old 05-11-2010, 07:39   #6
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NO NO and NO way.... I owned one for 12 years and while it's a good lake or coastal boat no way does it belong off shore. sorry.......
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Old 05-11-2010, 12:30   #7
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Denverdon had the same answer which I had thought of in your case. You'll spend much more money and a lot more time making the changes required to get your boat ready for open ocean. Ocean going vessels are built for the task from the keel to the top of the mast. Its not just the hull that needs to be strong.
You can check the links beside my signature line and the book recommendation to find a different boat to make the voyage.
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Old 05-11-2010, 12:41   #8
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James, its winter time at the moment so worth spending the winter doing some research and CF is a good resource as are the link in Johns post.

If you then decide that a change would be in order you would be prepped to change in the early spring which will be a good time of year as buyers come out of the woodwork looking for boats.

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Old 05-11-2010, 13:30   #9
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what boatman says. if you feel at all uncomfortable in your boat is when you should slow down and re consider... i you feel good about the boat and sailing in seas, is your decision. take spot (tracker) and harborhop--leave a sail plan with friends and the number for uscg. have fun and smoooth sailing-- there are many places on west coast to duck into in weather. be conscious of the weather at all times.
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Old 06-11-2010, 00:06   #10
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Wonderful advice, now I’m looking from a different angle if you are willing...

Thank you all for your wonderful impute. I am on a shoe string budget and want a boat that is easily trailer able so I believe I will stick with my boat. Because I am refitting it from the deck up, the modifications that will make it fit can be done gradually. It is so roomy inside that most other makes are small in comparison and I choose comfort over economy of line. I don’t care how long it takes to get there as long as I get there. I am guessing fifteen grand will get me into a boat that is bullet-proof or I can do it myself with the help of Craigslist at a fraction of the price, knowing the craftsmanship and gear is sound. Who wants surprises in the open sea.
I have started a checklist with the help of “skipmac”, encouraged that I have already thought of some of these necessary modifications. I am curious as to what the group thinks would be good additions to this grocery list. Here is an excerpt of his/their post.
“I am slightly familiar with the Buccaneer and, as you know, they don't have a reputation for heavy duty construction. You claim the hull is over built but what about the other parts of the boat? To handle rough weather the rig will be a critical component. How strong is the mast? Is it small and thin or heavy duty? What about the chain plates? How heavy and how are they attached to the boat? Is the hull or bulkhead where the chainplates attach strong and reinforced? What about the rigging? Heavy wire, adequate turnbuckles?
A rudder not attached to the keel is not necessarily bad but how strong is it, how is it attached to the boat, how strong is the rudder post?
Steering. Well built and well attached?
Hatches and ports? Able to withstand a heavy boarding sea?
Cockpit drains, large enough to drain quickly?
Through-hull fittings? All well attached with a proper sea cock?

Basically you should look at the whole boat and evaluate everything that makes it go and keeps the water on the outside.”
This is the type of advice I am now looking for and remember, this boat is currently an empty vessel. Nothing but a fiberglass hull with some older outdated rigging and sails that will need to be replaced.
If I have not exhausted your kind words of advice please feel free to elaborate on specific points that you feel are invaluable. Thank you again, James.
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Old 06-11-2010, 04:50   #11
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No offense but sounds like you are trying to make a silk purse from a sows ear.marc
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Old 06-11-2010, 05:39   #12
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Imagination, ingenuity and vision, that is what I have. The vessel is sound and a clean slate so your dispersions only expose your bias to an industry that is geared towards the rich. Only a thought really…
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Old 06-11-2010, 07:03   #13
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Originally Posted by James Dieterich View Post
Imagination, ingenuity and vision, that is what I have. The vessel is sound and a clean slate so your dispersions only expose your bias to an industry that is geared towards the rich. Only a thought really…
Seeking approval is different from seeking advice.........

Your ambitions all very worthy yadda yadda yadda, but with the low budget you do need to crank up the thinking end of the equation.

And in your shoes (and your boat) I would tailor the voyages to the boat, not vice verce and therefore go from Alaska to Mexico......by road. Still leaves 99% of the time for sailing and living aboard in foreign parts.

The alternative is throwing your money away creating a boat no-one else will want. and sooner or later you will discover you don't either.

I am sure others can put things clearer if needed..........
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Old 06-11-2010, 13:46   #14
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I'm not going to convince you of anything when your mind is made up but just a cursory look at craigslist of the eastern seaboard I came up with a three boats $2500 and less that would do what you want and one was free. Have to provide your own trailer and transportation.
Just a thought in case you think some more on the subject.
In any case, you mentioned the hull being sandwich plywood. Check for soft spots where there might have been freshwater intrusion. Also check all your deck fittings to see that they are bedded well, thrubolted and have backing plates. Your chainplates are where you will be doing most the work and fabrication and if they are inboard I'd move them to the side of the hull as well as increase their size. Check all the standing rigging and make it the same size as the Pearson Triton, Commander or Ariel (sorry I don't know the size off hand.) You should be able to do all the your own work and have the materiels including larger turnbuckles for about $1000 if you find a good used chandlery. If Minney's is still in business that'd be a good place to start.
Good luck.
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Old 06-11-2010, 16:25   #15
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Imagination, ingenuity and vision, that is what I have. The vessel is sound and a clean slate so your dispersions only expose your bias to an industry that is geared towards the rich. Only a thought really…
Dispersions? You ment aspersions, yes?

James--Note that someone expressing an opinion-which you solicited--is not casting an aspersion if it does not agree with your own, or your fondest wishes, it is merely an opinion. The boat you have is a neat little yacht and will fulfill the objective for which it was intended which does not include blue-water cruising. Not to say that, with a fabulous investment, it could not, just that it was not intended for such a purpose and correcting that would be uneconomical in the extreme.

In my time I have I learned that some of the opinions I have liked least--as they didn't comport with what I wanted to hear--were some of the most important that I needed to hear. That may be the same for you. There is no way to sugar coat the message.

FWIW...
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