Page Hits Since November 20th 1997
Extract from a letter ......
......... I've been drooling over the Boat journal, I want my boat! There didn't seem as many bargains in it this time. I was sorry to the Huntingford 27, the one with Pacific charts, has been sold for $16,500. Although a little on the small side it looked very good value. There is also a 28' Taipan which is identical to the little blue sloop I fell for in Oak Bay marina. I thought it must be the same one but it is advertised by a Naniamo broker; they are telling porkies on it's condition if it is the one cos its exterior woodwork was in a sorry state when we saw it. Over priced even then, maybe they moved her up north to a new area as a last hope to sell at their asking price. Sounds like you are pretty serious about buying a boat soon. Have you saved lots of money? How will you afford it? Beware of those "traditional" wooden boats they are often as full of rot and high maintenance bills as they are of character. Especially ones that have been little used and have a musty smelling cabin. The musty smell can indicate the fungus spores which cause and spread dry rot. Not being a great woodworker, and possessing a keen desire to sail rather than varnish on my days off, I am wary of a wooden boat. Just a little wood on the outside and lots of lovely cabin joinery will do just nicely thank you very much indeed. An Alberg 30 is my realistic dream boat at the moment although I haven't seen inside one. I'm not sure whether I will buy a small boat I can afford for cash or one I would need a loan for. It really depends on the number of years it will take me to be granted full citizenship, freeing me to go off on a trip. It might be five years, in which I will want something I can live on comfortably for that period and pay off what I have to borrow. Alternatively I could sell and buy a larger boat when I can afford it. I would rather be a buyer that a seller in BC these days though. I would also like to be able to aim to sail away on my first boat so I can hone it to perfection and get to know it well in the next few years. Most first time buyers make mistakes but you don't have to resign yourself to doing that automatically. Just read lots of books and talk to as many people as possible on the subject; try to learn from other people's mistakes and avoid them. We have, after all, got the advantage of having parents who have already done it and know lots of the pitfalls. Even if we often ignore their advice!! Tell me to shut up, I'm rambling again. The boat show has been in full swing the last couple of weeks. I went on Saturday with Tina and Robin. It was packed out, being the last day but one, but it was fun poking about all the 30 footers and showing Tina what it was like in a boat that small. We spent hours wandering around and had a surprisingly good lunch in one of the restaurants. .......