It seems to me that if the choice is between having a slightly raised table
that looks a little odd and a non-gasoline engine, I would take the diesel
replacement.
--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com
"JAXAshby"  wrote in message
...
I believe it was earlier (or later) made/sold as the Hughs 38.
 If I have the right boat in mind, I would personally prefer the original
 Atomic
 4 engine installed. The engine placement took advantage of the small size
 of
 the A/4 (mid cabin for better boat balance).  The closest diesel
 replacement
 (in size) is several inches higher, and the table has to be raised so much
 it
 looks out of place.
 Again, if it is the boat I think it is, the boat does not back up well
 under
 power (not really a problem).  Some boatyards with absolutely no ethics at
 all
 will tell the boat owner that is because the prop is too far forward
 (which of
 course is a crock of ****) of the rudder and for a mere $X,XXX or $XX,000
 they
 will "fix" the problem.  Afterwards (when the boat doesn't back up any
 better)
 the boatyard will tell the owner he needs to "let the boat pick up speed"
 in
 reverse for controlability, which of course all that was needed from the
 beginning.
 The boat is a tad small inside compared to later 38 foot sailboats, but
 sure is
 a graceful looking boat.  Find one with the Atomic 4 still inside, tell
 the
 seller that gasoline engines blow up thousands of times each year killing
 tens
 of thousands of sailors and therefore you wouldn't consider taking his
 junk
 ready to blow up bomb off his hands for anything more than 30% of his
 asking
 price.  If he quivers and shakes, you may just have a genuine bargain on
 your
 hands.  If he falls to the ground holding his belly laughing his ass off,
 laugh
 yourself, help him back up and start talking turkey on the boat.  It
 probably
 is in excellent shape overall.
 I'm considering purchasing a 1973 Seafarer 38 Ketch and was wondering
 what
 people think of them?  They sound like a sturdy boat from what I've heard
 so
 far.