I am considering a purchase of this model for my first "real" sailboat. (I have sailed a Phantom for 10 years.) I have gotten a lot of coaching from knowledgeable friends, and have studied things like the Practical Sailor reviews. I am particularly wondering about problems with the '85 that were corrected in later models. I'd like to check over the boat to see if those problems were fixed. For instance, I know there were some lower shroud eyebolt problems in earlier models, but I am confused about the correct fix. One website suggests U-bolts, but another source (PS, I think) says the U-bolts were problematic. What is the optimum eyebolt configuration, what version did the '85 use, and what signs of trouble should I look for? PS also mentions issues with cast aluminum spreader sockets on the mast, replaced by SS on later models. What year did this change occur (before or after '85)?
If anyone has knowledge of where '85 model year fits vs. all the various production improvements, I'd love to hear. I think they hit hull #6000 in '85, so hopefully by then they were getting it right. Thanks, Rick
