Yep, Dylan had an aversion to work that involved spending money. I remember the threads, but the killer was when he hit something with the prop and it pulled the stern tube out and screwed up the gearbox coupling.
I remember considering a Mirror Offshore very briefly when making a list of boats for consideration. I pretty much listed every thing in the 18-20' range and crossed off ones I didn't like.
Mirror Offshore was removed for 2 reasons:
1) Looks
2) Build
I still remember reading a review where the reviewer was trapped in the small head after his friend tacked. The door was wedged tightly in place and wouldn't open until they went back on the other tack. It might have been a completely made up story but it did help remove it from the list. I bought a Hurley 20' in great condition with a 4 wheel braked trailer at a great price soon afterwards. It was very solid, I think George Hurley didn't change much when switching from wood. If he'd put in a 1/2" thick ply bulkhead in a locker then he'd put in a sold 1/2" thick GRP bulkhead.
Oh indeed. My Drascombe was acquired in a vaguely similar way though the yard who acted as intermediaries were not in that case to blame. They had advised the heirs that the boat was not going to go for half the new price, particularly after it had been sitting in a yard, with two feet of water and six inches of mulched leaves in it, for five years. Eventually they started showing signs of realism and, to everyone's astonishment, accepted my speculative and insultingly low bit. She was in a terrible state, but Honnor Marine knew what they were doing and it's amazing hwat two hours with a pressure washer can do ...
That's a scam website. Details are scraped from elsewhere.
Oddly enough, my brother in law mentioned that he had seen a boat in the corner of a garage. A few days later I went round and asked about it and it was a Hurley 20 and one of the boats left on my list. It was filthy and partly covered by a rotten tarp. in the bodywork section of the garage. I bought it at a really good price because the owners father had not sailed for years.
The Hunter 701 was not designed by David Thomas as stated in the advert, but was an Oliver Lee design based on the same design as his Achilles 24 and Anderson 22. As such it will be a well-performing, safe seaboat that will look after you in all conditions. About as far removed from the Mirror Offshore as you can imagine - a floating bathtub in comparison.. I have sailed my Achilles 24 for about 10 years before I had to relocate to the North of England for work. It is now nearly fully reconditioned after 10 years in the Shoreham mud while I was up North. I can't wait to get back to sea in her. She cruises serenely through seas that would see the likes of a Bav 37 on their beam-ends. Two fingers on the tiller. Nuff said.
