Stephen Trapani wrote:
Hi, sorry to just drop in, but I think I can get a 1968 Newport 30' for
under $7000. ...snip...

People always talk about This Company's boats are poorly built or That
Company's boats are poorly built; but Newports are about the worst
built boat I've run across. Check the hull/deck joint for a prime
example of bad design exacerbated by cheap construction. On the good
side, the underlying (hull) design is by C&C, so they sail pretty
well.

That's not to say that you shouldn't buy it to have fun with; but
don't plan on it being safe for a blue-water-type experience. PHRF
fun? Sure, if the survey is good.

Good luck,

Frank

Steve,

Just as a suggestion,,,,,,,, look for a boat built before 1972 or so.
Back then they were much more heavily built and didn't use the "EPA"
approved resins. The old resins were much stronger. Also, because
fiberglass was new to the industry they weren't sure of how strong it
would be. So they tended to overbuild their boats. As a result the
early boats are generally "hell for stout".

There's lots of these older boats around, and they can be had for less
than the $7,000 asked for the Newport. In the 26' to 30' range
there's the Pearsons [26' Ariel & 32' Vanguard], Columbia 29',
Islander 29' & 32', Rawson 30', Alberg 30', etc. All of these boats
are far superior to the Newport. And far safer in a seaway.

As an example, my Islander 29' has been around the world once,
including a Cape Horn passage. I paid $4,500 for it [no, it's not for
sale!].

Trent
S/V Cimba


Stephen Trapani wrote in message ...
Hi, sorry to just drop in, but I think I can get a 1968 Newport 30' for
under $7000. I grew up sailing my dad's Blanchard 33' in Kaneohe Bay,
and between the HI islands, so I can sail, probably rusty, but anyway,
assuming I get a survey and nothing terrible is wrong, the Atomic 4 is
recently rebuilt, tiller, Autohelm, decent electronics, shore power, a
few other things, any particular big reason I shouldn't buy it? And, oh
yeah, I don't have much more than that to spend. What do you think the
boat will be worth in ten years? Any guesses?

Thanks,

Stephen

In ten years, It will be worth the same or more than you bought it for
only if you put 5 times that amount into it. Sailing is not an
investment...It's a sickness. -Dick