Gould 0738 wrote:
The ruse will be up once she starts piloting the GB. BTW, it is equipped
with a hydraulic stern thruster that is powered from the engine.



If her GB is set up to back to port, you'll find the stern thruster handy for
coming alongside in a boat with a starboard helm- but otherwise you'll find the
original stern thruster (the prop and rudder) more than adequate.


Anything in particular we should watch for in the survey? Other than
the regular stuff, I am interested in any blistering of the hull and of
any water intrusion through the teak deck screws.


You'll probably need to be prepared to accept some minor cosmetic blistering,
below the waterline, on a boat of that age. Yes, watch the teak decks, (he says
after replacing the coring under a lot of his own decks).

The advice about the fuel tanks is good. If they prove to be bad, consider
negotiating
a reduction in price sufficient for a complete replacement- but there is now a
less expensive alternative. We have a company in Seattle that cuts a large
inspection hole in the side of the tank,
gets inside and cleans everything up, and then epoxies the interior to seal up
any leaks. You can then "save" the difference between a full replacement and a
rebuilding of the fuel tanks in place for the
scores of little things that even the best surveyor will miss.

There is a lot of wood in that fiberglass boat, and especially if it has been
stored outside you will want to look very carefully at all structural elements.
Your surveyor will keep a sharp eye out for "tea stains" along the flybridge
cowling- brown marks that form when water passes through decomposing wood and
carries along some of the color.

What type of dinghy davit? There have been issues on similar boats where crane
style davits, not installed with the greatest care when the boat was
commissioned or by the after market davit company have compromised the
integrity of the superstructure.

As for the mast and boom, is it wooden or
aluminum? If wooden, check it very closely for wood decay.

It is almost certain that on a vessel of that age somebody has cobbled on the
electronics- fine, but keep a sharp eye out for electrolysis and grounding
issues.

See if you can find a brand of varnish with
horses on the can, and be sure to remind Mrs. E. that the newly acquired teak
forest, with all the requisite sanding, varnishing, and other
chores are hers to deal with. A lot of the GB's at least had the door and
window frames painted out, reducing maintenance there considerably.



Thanks for the suggestions Chuck. For some reason I have more interest
in this boat buying process than that I have had in any of the other
boats we have owned. I suppose it's because you learn more each time
but I also think it's due to the flavor of this particular boat and my
wife's excitement. When we walked down the dock to the slip for her to
take a look at it she stopped as soon as she saw it and just grinned
from ear to ear and said, "That's it! I love it! That's my boat!"

BTW, the masts and boom are aluminum. Although there is a nicely
varnished dinghy cradle over the aft cabin, it doesn't appear to have
been used. The boat comes with a small zodiac and outboard that are
currently stored on the swim platform.

We sure have a lot to learn about trawler style boats. Wait until she
finds out there is a sail for the aft mast and boom.

Thanks again,

Eisboch

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:


I don't know a lot about these boats, but the ones that I've seen at
the Marina seem to have a LOT of wood. Is she up to maintaining all
that?

Yes, it does and I've warned her. Just like I warned her about horses.
Some things just have to be experienced for full benefit, I guess.

For fun I was doing some calculations last night. We could make it from
here to Jupiter Fl. with only one stop for fuel. The Navigator gets
thirsty every day on the same trip and it's fairly efficient.

Eisboch

On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 06:51:19 -0500, Eisboch
wrote:

We sure have a lot to learn about trawler style boats. Wait until she
finds out there is a sail for the aft mast and boom.

========================================

Arrrgh yes, jibe ho! All hands on deck, and batten down the hatches.

You can also mount a small electric winch on the boom and use it for
hoisting the dink to the cabin top.

On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 07:02:39 -0500, Eisboch
wrote:

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:


I don't know a lot about these boats, but the ones that I've seen at
the Marina seem to have a LOT of wood. Is she up to maintaining all
that?

Yes, it does and I've warned her. Just like I warned her about horses.
Some things just have to be experienced for full benefit, I guess.

For fun I was doing some calculations last night. We could make it from
here to Jupiter Fl. with only one stop for fuel. The Navigator gets
thirsty every day on the same trip and it's fairly efficient.

I'll be waiting for an invite. :)

Later,

Tom

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 07:02:39 -0500, Eisboch
wrote:


Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:


I don't know a lot about these boats, but the ones that I've seen at
the Marina seem to have a LOT of wood. Is she up to maintaining all
that?

Yes, it does and I've warned her. Just like I warned her about horses.
Some things just have to be experienced for full benefit, I guess.

For fun I was doing some calculations last night. We could make it from
here to Jupiter Fl. with only one stop for fuel. The Navigator gets
thirsty every day on the same trip and it's fairly efficient.


I'll be waiting for an invite. :)

Later,

Tom

Out of curiosity, do you trailer your Contender? If so, where do you
usually launch for ocean access?

Eisboch

On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 10:20:08 -0500, Eisboch
wrote:

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 07:02:39 -0500, Eisboch
wrote:


Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:


I don't know a lot about these boats, but the ones that I've seen at
the Marina seem to have a LOT of wood. Is she up to maintaining all
that?

Yes, it does and I've warned her. Just like I warned her about horses.
Some things just have to be experienced for full benefit, I guess.

For fun I was doing some calculations last night. We could make it from
here to Jupiter Fl. with only one stop for fuel. The Navigator gets
thirsty every day on the same trip and it's fairly efficient.


I'll be waiting for an invite. :)

Out of curiosity, do you trailer your Contender? If so, where do you
usually launch for ocean access?

I have a trailer for it, but it requires a special permit, cars with
lights, all that nonsense so no, I don't trailer it on a permanent
basis. I have, at night and for short distances - say from Fall
River to Marblehead, trailered it rather than run it up or down the
coast, but that's not often. Normally I'll run it up the coast.

When I do go to Marblehead, I use the Winter Island (former USCG
station) ramp in Salem, MA and from there, rent a mooring from some
friends in Marblehead. This year, it's being trailered to a
dealership in CT for new E-TECs.

That will also be a "Midnight Run". :)

The trailer is really for storage purposes. It's a bunk style trailer
and is great for exactly that. In the spring, I have it pulled off
the trailer with a hoist, the bottom sprayed down and painted if
necessary, then in the water. Usually once a month during the season,
I haul it on the trailer, clean the bottom, wash the boat and
relaunch.

It's very handy. And my truck handles it very well even on the
highway.

Later,

Tom

We sure have a lot to learn about trawler style boats. Wait until she
finds out there is a sail for the aft mast and boom.

You wouldn't want to try to actually sail with it.

That particular canvas is a staysail. Haul it up when you're in beam seas, and
the additional wind resistance will tend to reduce the amount of roll, at least
slightly.

For fun I was doing some calculations last night. We could make it from
here to Jupiter Fl. with only one stop for fuel. The Navigator gets
thirsty every day on the same trip and it's fairly efficient.

Eisboch

You could realize somewhere around 4nmpg with the GB, not counting anything
burned in the genset for A/C or what not.

Probably what, 2-4 times better than the Navigator?

Gould 0738 wrote:
For fun I was doing some calculations last night. We could make it from
here to Jupiter Fl. with only one stop for fuel. The Navigator gets
thirsty every day on the same trip and it's fairly efficient.

Eisboch


You could realize somewhere around 4nmpg with the GB, not counting anything
burned in the genset for A/C or what not.

Probably what, 2-4 times better than the Navigator?

Slightly over 4 times, if I recall. At cruise (19kts) the Navigator
burns about 26 gallons per hour (combined, both engines) which is not
too bad for a boat that probably displaces about 42,000 lbs loaded up
with all our junk. Based on some reading at Trawler World and similar
Websites I understand the little diesel in the GB burns around 3 gal/per
hour at 6-8kts, rising rapidly to 12 gal per hour WOT at a
wind-in-your-face 11-12kts.

I have not met the current owner yet, but from dockside chatter I
understand he used the boat quite a bit. It has been all around the
Great Lakes, East Coast, Florida, Bahamas and even Cuba.

We haven't heard a response yet to the offer. Assuming he is serious
about selling it should be acceptable as it was close to his asking
price. We'll see.

That brings up another interesting subject. You were/are a boat broker
were/are you not? I have a question. Assume a seller lists his boat
with a broker and the broker presents an asking price offer from a
buyer. If the seller changes his mind to sell, is the broker due his
commission as if the boat sold?

Eisboch

Subject: I have a crazy wife
From: Eisboch

Nope, the other boat is a 48' Navigator, twin diesels with both bow and
stern thrusters. I've been bragging to her about my close quarter
maneuvering skills for years now and she believes me because she has
never handled the Navigator, other than steering it while underway.
The ruse will be up once she starts piloting the GB.

Be sure to teach her the proper use of a spring line when docking a single
screw boat.

BTW, it is equipped
with a hydraulic stern thruster that is powered from the engine.

Now that was truly a waste of money on the previous owners part.


Anything in particular we should watch for in the survey? Other than
the regular stuff, I am interested in any blistering of the hull and of
any water intrusion through the teak deck screws.

GB are not know for either.

Check the tops and all around the fuel tanks for rust. But don't just write it
off if you find some. The metal is thick and you can in many cases just clean
and repaint them.

Dig out the lazerette and take a look at the rudder post and quadrant area.
Check the steering cables and the pulleys that they ride on.
Be sure to take a good hard look at the 110 wiring as it comes in the boat and
at the 110 source (gen/shore) switches. Along with behind the AC and DC panels.

Many times on a boat that old the previous owner/s have done some of their own
electrical work.

If I think of anything else I'll let you know.

Capt. Bill