Hello Rick, I bought my 'real' boat last summer. Hopefully you're enjoying the hunt as much as I did.
I saw your other post regarding C250. When I started shopping that was my target. I'm happy I went with the 27. I like the boat, and think I'd have outgrown the 25 footer too quckly. Regarding the technical problems described below. I suspect you and I think a lot a like - analytical approach, gather tons of info, do lot's of research, etc (all of which I enjoy as part of my fun!). But let me suggest a different approach: just jump in! If you want to spend most of your boat time sailing, spend more up-front and avoide model years with the problem history. If you want to spend your boat time 'owning' (IE - projects, etc), then target a lower price & use your 'spare' money on repairs & improvements. If the problem below is 'fixable' (and some types of problems AREN'T!), then I suspect you'll find ways to solve the shroud problems. For my boat, I almost bought the latter. At the last minute I changed my mind and bought one that allows more time sailing, rather than on projects. The problem with the first boat was rot in the core of the foredeck. It problably could be repaired (maybe?...), but I ultimately decided that, for my first 'real' boat, I wanted to be free to sail and to NOT have the project looming over my head. After the first few cruises I knew I'd made the right choice! Pete 1986 TR #6171 --- In [email protected], "Richard" <rcsonn...@...> wrote: > > 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 > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
