Last July 3rd, I finished a year or two search of soul and boats and became an ecstatic if not wary owner of late seventies C&C 33. I wanted a cruiser with club racing credentials. First allow me to add to the boat adages. Boat is not a word but an abbreviation for Break Out Another Thousand. But the winner is: There is a yacht, AFRICA, at a nearby marina whose owner claims no connection to that continent. The yacht's name is an abbreviation for Another Friggin' Repair I Can't Afford. After cruising the usual yacht world magazines' classified ads, ect., a friend suggested trying Craigslist. There were numerous yachts 40feet and under between Maine and Maryland, preferring more local options. I am over 6 feet and was looking for adeq. head room. Missed even looking at a C&C 40 for 20k. It was sold before I could see her. The first C&C 33 failed a profession survey, a butyl tape issue among other problems. Two weeks later another C&C 33 with an atomic 4, sails included main, 135, drifter, storm jib and two spinnakers, and generally in much better condition popped up. After repairs I wanted to have a 20% cushion below market. Now I have new cushions stem to stern, sails needed minor touch-ups, and the rod cold heads inspected and serviced. The survey recommended an auto bilge pump which the insurer mandated. Thought I was on target for a late May spash. But right after the bilge pump went in, the rudder movement became independent of the wheel. Have to repl ace the steering hardware on the rudder.. Very surprised it failed while sitting on the hard. Plenty adequate bunk space Missing kitchen space and shower makes me wonder if a 35 or 36 would be better long term for cruising. Leave margin for off budget repairs. Brett Arron Serenity C&C 33 Sent from my iPhone
On May 29, 2013, at 0:01, "Dr. Mark Bodnar" <drbod...@accesswave.ca> wrote: > > I'm still looking at boats, reading emails from this list and learning lots. > Right now I'm sitting back, watching the market, looking to new boats that > come up, and trying to figure out where I want to end up. Maybe some more > experienced listers can offer some thoughts (on or off list). > > I know that everyone has there own criteria - but I'm trying to figure out > the right boat for me. My Mirage 24 is quite small - 5ft of headroom (only > my 8 yr old can stand up), not enough space to sleep 5 (me and 4 kids), lacks > an enclosed head, no functional galley, noisy and smelly outboard. > I envision wanting to do some more sailing - little further out of the > harbour, some overnights (effectively boat camping with the kids), maybe a > long weekend away with the girlfriend. > > But we've all heard the cracks "2 best days in a boater life - the day he/she > buys their boat, and the day they sell it", or "A boat is a hole in the water > you pour money into" - not really encouraging. So, why, if they are so > terrible does everyone get 2 foot itis? > > Feel free to espouse on why did you end up with the boat you have? Do you > wish you stayed smaller/cheaper/simpler? > What would you say to yourself if you could go back and offer advice? Was > this the best decision ever? If you could make a change what do you want? A > bigger galley? Bigger cockpit? > > My temptation was to find a 29-30 foot boat that would work, thinking that > would last me for years with the kids and still be a manageable size when > they are off. Keeping costs reasonable, maintenance manageable and enough > boat to venture further afield. > > Right now I could buy a local C&C 33 (with and Atomic4), or a local C&C 30 > (diesel), or there are 29's, 30's and 34's within reach - the prices are > similar. I plan on climbing aboard a few different boats to get a feel for > size and space, but I'm trying to figure out what I'm getting into without > having to learn the painfully hard way! I'm leaning towards a diesel (only > because that seems to be common opinion and gas on my current boat has it's > downsides), wheel steering and something fairly stable (so kids and > girlfriend aren't barfing over the side -- which I gather eliminates the 29's > from the list). Price wise I'd like to stay below $20000. > > I have the cash set aside to buy the boat, but clearly bigger is not always > better, the maintenance and insidious upkeep costs can add up quickly. I was > able to do a quick sand and bottom paint on my M24 in 2.5 hrs. Assuming the > cost and workload multiply with the displacement I'm guessing a 30ft (being > twice the displacement) would be double the effort, a 34ft 3 times the work. > At what point is it more work and you wish for a smaller/cheaper boat? > > Thanks in advance for the advice, > > Mark > > > > > > > > -- > > --------------------- > Dr. Mark Bodnar > B.Sc., D.C., FCCOPR(C) > Bedford Chiropractic > www.bedfordchiro.ca > --------------------- > > There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval. > - George Santayana > > > _______________________________________________ > This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album > http://www.cncphotoalbum.com > CnC-List@cnc-list.com _______________________________________________ This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album http://www.cncphotoalbum.com CnC-List@cnc-list.com
