Can anyone help me identify this sailboat?

[agentjohnson]

My wife and I were looking for a small 14-16 sailboat to learn on when we came across this one. We contacted the current owner, but he cannot remember the year or manufacturer of the boat. We haven't driven out to see it yet, and we were wondering if any you kind fellows might be able to give us some insight of what it could be! Thanks

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, agentjohnson.

[David M]

Can you lighten up the exposure?

[Orion Jim]

It appears to have registration numbers across the bow. Can't the owner check his registration paperwork? Alternatively you may be able to do the same at the motor vehicle office. It is a public record.

[agentjohnson]

Thanks for all your quick replies! My wife tried editing the pictures and it helped a little. We believe it to be a Luger Leeward 16 foot. We are going to view it today to verify and inspect. She is a little nervous after hearing that Lugar Leewards were kit boats and are no longer manufactured. Do you think the quality is affected, even if the boat appears solid, because it was a kit boat?

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by agentjohnson

Thanks for all your quick replies! My wife tried editing the pictures and it helped a little. We believe it to be a Luger Leeward 16 foot. We are going to view it today to verify and inspect. She is a little nervous after hearing that Lugar Leewards were kit boats and are no longer manufactured. Do you think the quality is affected, even if the boat appears solid, because it was a kit boat?

Depends on the care taken during construction, and how well equipped you are to spot something that is a deal-breaker. IMO, nothing wrong with it being a kit boat per se, but if you're worried about it, (or your good lady) perhaps consider something made by a known manufacturer.

[SkiprJohn]

It is a Luger Leeward 16. Do a search here on the forum and you'll find a member who is doing a total renovation of his.

If this one is in good shape and used stainless steel for its fittings and nuts and bolts it should be good. There is a plate on each side of the centerboard trunk that was made of aluminum and might be corroded beyond repair. Check that out. Also check the hull stiffners in the cockpit sole. They should be firm and not soft. If any of the wood is rotten on the inside of the boat you may not want to take on the reconstruction.

Good luck. If the original owner put it together well and all the rigging is good and has been maintained then it should be a good sailer.

kind regards,

John

[SkiprJohn]

The boat trailer fenders really look in good condition but do an inspection of that too. If you live in a dry climate without lots of rain and there has been no freshwater collected in the bilge then this might be a really good find.

[SkiprJohn]

How did the boat look?