Sigma 362 - Any advice welcome

[marhaba]

I am planning to purchase a Sigma 362 and I'd appreciate any advice on specific problem areas to watch out for. Are they generally considered to be well put together? The views of any current or previous owners would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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[Chris_Stannard]

I had a Sigma 362 from 1994 to last year. It was a cracking boat and took me through offshore racing, including the Fastnet, until the expense and the modern teatray, so called racer cruisers made it impractical to continue.

Points to look out for. The mast is deck stepped and supported by an iron compression tube which has a stainless stell surround. You have to take the headlining out to see what state the top plate is as mine corroded badly through water leaking through the deck fittings and the post had to be replaced. Lift the floor boards, you will need a screw driver, and look at the bottom of the post whilst you are at it. Look at the mast heel fitting on deck, these are prone to crack and need replacing.
The rudder bearings tend to take a hammering as the rudder is a semi balanced spade with no skeg. The Volvo 2003 can be problematic and should at least have had a top overhaul by this stage. Likewise the P bracket was not strong enough as built and should have been strengthened.
Obvious points that you would look for in all boats, the state of the interior and upholstery, the condition of the sails and the running rigging, The standing rigging which should have been replaced by now.
Last but not least of my recommendations, has a keel bolt been withdrawn for examination and is there a certificate of its condition. If not you should insist that the surveyor has one out.

If the boat stacks up make an offer. I see a lot of 362s advertised at £50K plus. I tried to sell mine for a year and finally had to accept £40K although it was in good condition and had had the items referred to above completed. If the owner wnats to sell that is about what they are worth as the newest will now be 14 years old.

I sailed mine with my wife crusing for the last two or three years that we owned the boat and oit never let us down.

<hr width=100% size=1>Chris Stannard

 

[Twister_Ken]

Damage where hull meets keel

I know of two Sigmas (but not 362) which suffered serious damage to the hull after running aground hard. It might be worth paying particular attention to that area.

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[doris]

Send me a pm with a contact number and I will give you a call. I bought one last year and have had to do lots but they are great boats.

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[marhaba]

Your replies much appreciated. Very useful food for thought.

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[Chris_Stannard]

Re: Keel Damage

The problem caused by the keel rotating when you hit something hard is not confined to Sigmas, I have seen it in Dehlers, Beneteaus, a friends Moody and brand new Najad which hit a submerged rock whilst leaving the makers. the Moody, a 41, cost about £10,000 to repair and that was 5 years ago.

The problem with any boat is that if you hit something well down the keel, the top of the boat goes on whilst the keel stops. This causes the keel to rotate and lifts the stregthening around the back end of the keel. The end result is that you have to take all the furniture out to get at it and reglass the whole thing in. I would ask for a certificate to say that the boat has never been in a heavy underwater collision and ask your surveyor to pay particular attention to this area to ensure it has never happened. A surveyor found it in a boat for me without even being asked.




<hr width=100% size=1>Chris Stannard