The asking price on the 1990 35s5 was 64'900.00. After seeing what a
creampuff the boat was I decided to discuss an offer prior to the
survey. Part of the problem was her location of course. It would be
tough to fight over the price and I wanted to keep things freindly. As
I had gone over the boat carefully(But not the bottom as she was in the
water), I knew I'd probably found the diamond I was looking for. We
settled on 59K pending survey and I promised that I wouldn't nickle and
dime over little things. As it turned out...new fuel hose and waste
hose were suggested and that was it.
BUT, the Mylar mainsail had delamination. Not bad, but a repair
wouldn't last forever and I felt the sail was a 4 out of 10 at best. We
agreed I could get a used mylar main for 2000.00 or a new regular main
from Doyle and the price of the boat was adjusted for that. The owner
still felt bad about the main and paid 350 bucks to have it repaired
anyway. The Mylar headsails were well shaped, but somewhat dirty. Oh
well. The two Doyle chutes were as new. The dacron 120% was in good
condition, a 7 out 10 perhaps. All of her standing rod rigging was
replaced 9 months ago. The surveyor felt the seacock for sink and air
conditioner were in a bad location and the owner paid to have better
access via a new removable panel. The Charles charger was also acting
funny...but I have a new unused 30 amp unit in my closet. On a 92
degree day the interior was quite cold even with the hatches
open...19000 BTUs is a nice thing! All of the portlights had NO crazing
as they had canvas covers protecting them! There was even one for the
lexan companionway hatch with a zipper down cover. A new dodger and
bimini were never installed and our wrapped up in his garage! Her
engine started instantly and ran smoothly. Engine/shaft alignment was
noted to be excellent and there was about the same level of vibration I
noted on my friend's Tayana 48 DS.
The surveyor said she was probably the best 35s5 on the market and of
course I already knew that. We quickly arranged shipping and closed.
After speaking to other 35s5 owners who bought boats over the past 3
years we paid less and got a boat in simply amazing shape. Nothing I
can say will show this properly until I post pics. Her interior and
topsides look almost unused! All of her running rigging, Air
conditioner, electronics and so on are recent or new. Survey value was
set just below 70K and she has been insured for that amount.
Her owner was at the helm of Ted Turner's winning boat during Fastnet
1979. He's a local legend down there. When I mentioned the boat and his
name to the folks at Doyle and UK they all knew and had raced with him.
At 73 he's keeping his Tartan 10. This was his second 35s5, but a bad
hip and knee make it a tough go, so he decided to sell. I'm grateful
for the upgrades and care he's shown the boat and passed on to me. My
buddy who used to work at my yard took a look at her yesterday and said
"My god, looks like a new boat!" He's not overstating her condition.
It's really quite amazing.
That's it, folks. She's ours. We wrote a check, dropped the Doc and
registered her at DMV today. If all goes smoothly, she'll be offloaded
at my yard on the 23rd. And then it'll be a long winter waiting for the
Spring! Pictures will be posted shortly...probably on the 22nd when we
get back and then on the 23rd when she comes home!


Robert B
35s5
NY