I had to shorten my last message down to get it to send.


Thanks so much for the thoughts and observations. I very much appreciate it.


How are you adapting to life after cruising?


I have changed out sailing companions over the past few years, so no need to apologize. Life is a continual change, I'm finding. I agree with you that it's important to be able to single hand, but both these boats appear to be manageable. The boat probably far more so than I, anyway.


All the best,

Dave

Hi John,


The T42 has basically the same companionway. The only difference is the T42 is set up to go directly over the bridge deck to get to it.


The T42 does have a shower of sorts. It also has the balsa cored hull and deck, so that would be closely checked on survey. This T42 is also better set up for sailing from the cockpit, but that is fixable on the Hood.


I think the Hood appeals to me just a bit more than the T42, but the owner of the Hood seems to feel his has the same value as a Mk II. The result is the T42 can probably be had for something on the order of $20,000 less and with a new engine and sails. Both boats have absentee owners, but the T42 is further along the "get the boat sold" curve (which means said "new" items have been sitting two years).


How did you find the Hood in light airs? This one is set up with spinnaker, which may be more than I regularly want to manage.


All the best,

Dave

Hi Dave
I hope all is well. I am not too familiar with the Tartan 42. Very good reputations, of course. Sail well. Is the hull solid or cored? I would not get a cored boat over 20 years old.
Galley on the Hood 38 was the only disappointment, but, no boat is optimal. Loved everything else. especially the roomy forward berth...most important.
Does the T42 have a separate shower? That would be a plus.
Forgive me if I forgot, but do you have a sailing companion? If so....really depends on what she thinks. If not...then give stronger consideration to the Hood 38. One thing I found...I could sail my boat anywhere, anytime, solo. My good friend experienced sailor on his Whitby 42 never went anywhere, because he could never find crew to make anything more than a day trip, and he would never take a 42 out for a day.
You should negotiate a very good price on a MK I. They are not in demand.
I *think* the tartan has the same style companionway?
J

Hi John,

Thanks for the response. We are still in negotiations and now a new wrinkle as a Tartan 42 has come up for sale nearby. Trying to decide whether to continue negotiating on the Hood 38 or focus in on the Tartan 42. I can likely get the Tartan a bit cheaper ($10K). The Hood really is beautiful, but it's a tough call.

Did you find the Hood was fast and responsive enough under sail or did it seems sluggish? I'm looking for something that will be a pleasure to sail (not on her ear), but able to point reasonably well. My other concern is the size of the galley. It sounds like we had similar sailing dreams, so I really value any feedback you can give.

All the best,

Dave

Hi Dave
I hope this message reaches you. It has been about three years, since I sold Invictus. And I still think this is one of the best designs and builds ever. Newer designs might be easier to keep clean (because of the all plastic, molded, all round edges heads and galley's) but, I would think the price on the 80's era W38's makes them a great value.
I really liked having two private staterooms. No boat has the space of the 1BR condo...so....gaining any privacy at all is a big plus IMHO.
Not sure of the calculation you are referring to. The ballast to displacement ratio is 50% on all the versions.
With any boat of this age, be sure you check carefully for blisters, or make sure a blister job was documented....and get those documents.
Hope this helps, and best of luck.
John

JOhn, I've been lurking your comments for years. I am finally getting ready to make an offer on a Mk I. I see you are selling your Invictus? Any final thoughts before I make an offer on a W38 out here in Seattle? Also, do you know the LWL/BWL ratio for them? I can't locate an accurate on any where.

Best of luck to you!

Dave