On Thu, 16 Dec 2004 00:40:52 GMT, "Roger Long"
wrote:

We closed on the boat that sparked the Lake Erie posts yesterday. I've set
up a section on my web site about the search and purchase for family and
friends. If anyone here is interested:

http://home.maine.rr.com/rlma/Boat.htm

Very interesting tale. I am checking out (early stages) steel ketches
and cutters in the 38-45 foot range for a proposed circumnavigation in
4 years or so. There are a surprising number of ocean-ready metal
boats on the Great Lakes (you can't be bothered by hard chines, tho')
that have never seen salt OR are 95% finished by craftsmen
owner/builders who've died or swallowed the anchor. Lots of crap, lots
of absolute bargains, and little corrosion if done right. Also, you
can factor in that with a six-month sailing season on the Lakes, these
boats are half as worn as, say, the average Florida liveaboard.

The simple fact is that a boat owned by an indifferent owner can go to
hell in five years of hard use; a 40 year old "classic plastic" can be
made "better than factory" if a regular schedule of repair and
upgrades by a motivated and "boat-proud" owner is established. And
none of it need cut into your sailing time.

So I agree that your logic was flawless and I wish you well with what
looks like a competant coastal cruiser. With an old boat, though, you
will have to keep on top of deck core rot, bedding issues and all that
salt air finding metal coated "good enough for Michigan" but not good
enough for the Atlantic.

R.