In article ,
DSK wrote:

Molesworth wrote:
I am looking at a 33' Chris Craft, 1969. Have the survey which says the
boat looks 'little used' and in good condition all round.

Except for one passage which says (in the 'Construction' paragraph):

" The laminated battens are supported by mahogany transverse framings
which (underlined) DO NOT make contact with the bottom planking."

Is this a general comment on the original construct, or is this
something I should be scared of?


I'm pretty sure that the original construction would have
had contact between the frames & the planks. One way to tell
is to look carefully at the joint between the frames & the
battens... are the frames notched to a depth of the batten
thickness? Are the planks fair on the inside, or scalloped?

It may be an issue that the boat has been out of the water
for a really long time, and the structure is slightly
distorted from being supported on stands instead of by water
(as well as the shrinking from planks drying out).

Another issue to consider is that boat carpentry is a fine
art, and a boat this age is going to need some of it no
matter what. If you have to hire it done, the boat & your
wallet are both going to suffer.

Fair Skies- Doug King

Hmm. Thank you all for your input, I really appreciate it.

I understand the expenses involved in a money-pit, errr, boat.. but love
the look of the older wooden ones.

see:
http://tinyurl.com/yerdnz

The boat is in the water since 2005 when it had new bottom paint.

Trouble is, I'm in New Orleans and the boat is in upper peninsular
Michigan (We want to sail down the Miss.)

How much are surveys? I think this is the route to go, even if it will
need repair in one way or another. At least I'll know to what degree
it'll need work.

Thanks again

Molesworth