Hi Jack and Skip,

I've been on several each of the Lancer 30s, 36s and MotorSailers (40?),
although it's been a bunch of years. The 36 may be what Skip is talking
about (mid 30 foot?), and as I recall it was a Gary Mull design (adapted
from the hull of Transpac veteran "Chutzpah"). Chutzpah (which I've
also sailed on) was one of the first ULDB designs, pretty good downwind,
but a bugger to take upwind. I'm not sure what size the MotorSailer is,
40 perhaps?

At any rate, Lancers were considered to be fairly inovative in concept,
but lacking in construction and finish. The overall construction I
would compare to Hunters and similar: overall good enough for coastal
sailing, questionable for blue water sailing. But like any
generalization there are always exceptions and I have seen several that
have been completely refitted and have traveled some serious sea-miles.
Most recently I've gotten to know a couple that has a Lancer
Motorsailer that was sailed from Alaska to Hawaii and then back again...
no serious mechanical problems reported.

Like many glass boats of the 70's and 80's, you're likely to run into
boats that have been extensively refitted/reconstructed or in serious
need of help (which could explain the wide price range). Skip's advice
is well founded and I'd only add that I'd recommend you take particular
attention to blisters, delaminations and other signs of poor glass work
which is so common of boats that vintage.

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