So, what have I missed?

[andymcp]

Buying our first boat from the open market just now.

Went to see it once, loved it, so went back to see it again with SWMBO. Still loved it, so did she. Seems really well maintained as far as I can tell.

Done the test sail thing, although not using every tip on JJ's recommended list as I'm too much a newbie to tell whether everything is in top condition. But it was finger light on the helm, sailed really well, all the ropes and rigging ran well (had to reef twice during the sail), and span on a sixpence when asked.

Survey done, just waiting for report.

Full of kit (probably more than we would spec) but all the essentials are on there.

Just thought I'd pass it past the combined wisdom of the forum (thanks for recent advice on lifting out BTW) to see if I'd missed anything major before I go past the point of no return?

A

 

[photodog]

Pay attention to the report.... anything major needs attention and shouldnt be swept up in the excitment of the moment... but, there are always a lot of minor problems. so dont get hung up on them.... What sort of boat, and what age, will help peeps with some specifics...

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[andymcp]

8 year old Elan 333. Am suitably paranoid about the report that every line will be read twice! Not had a huge amount of use in the last year and am sure that will make some difference to condition, but mostly keen the big things are all working.

Swept up in the excitement of the moment? Me? Nah......no kid-in-a-sweet-shop symptoms here, no siree, no way. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Thankfully, SWMBO is far more level headed (and scary).

 

[photodog]

Excellent boat.... The most enjoyable boat I have sailed! Lucky bugger!

Only problems I had with the boat.... Rear cabin window leaked, and the hinges on the table leafs were a bit weak... stbd side came free and I had to put new screws in...

Should be a great boat... your in Scotland, wouldnt be Elanor would it? She won the Scottish series a few years back...

 

[andymcp]

Thanks, we're very excited!

Not Elanor, this is more a cruiser version which suits us great with the wee kids but still slips along nicely. Mustn't let that get in the way of being rational while reading the report though!

 

[PeteCooper]

PM sent.

 

[photodog]

We are moving up to Kip next year (fingers crossed) so you can wave at us as you zoom past! A quick boat! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif


Eyhup Pete!

 

[Danny_Labrador]

[ QUOTE ]
every tip on JJ's recommended list

[/ QUOTE ]

?

Could I have more info please.

 

[andymcp]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
every tip on JJ's recommended list

[/ QUOTE ]

?

Could I have more info please.

[/ QUOTE ]
James Jermain wrote a guide on how to test sail a boat. Can't remember if it was in YM or one of the Top Yacht editions, but it covered 50 (or so) things to check as part of your test. Very informative - I'll have a hunt and if I can find where it was, I'll post here again. Probably worth a search of the reprints part of this site though.

 

[johnphilip]

If we were totally sensible none of us would own a boat.
The 333 is a terrific boat to sail, powered up in winds when others are still using diesels, yes you have to reef a bit earlier than some but you will speed past other cruisers, smugly nodding hello as you go. Throw out the report before it worries you get the boat and go sailing.
Our 333 twice East coast to Holland/Belgium this year. One trip Orwell to Ostend 80 miles, 11 hours 40 mins, 7knots avg. 2 on board, just plain main and roller genoa.
The good balance makes her easy for my better half to sail for long periods without the weather helm of our old Westerly.

 

[mandlmaunder]

First thing to check imho is look at the chain plates and through hull beck fittings for any signs of stress or fatiuge , star cracks or crazing in the gell coat would be your first indicator that she has been overstress and hushed hard.

 

[Slow_boat]

I was going to comment that it's a bit big and expensive for a first boat but if you have the money, why not? You can't take it with you!

Looks very nice. There shouldn't be much wrong with a boat that age that hasn't been raced. Just get sailing!

I'm not jealous.

Not at all.

Really, not at all.

Honest. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[andymcp]

She became ours on Friday! Absolutely delighted with pretty much everything so far - the to-do list after 2 days poking around is absolutely tiny, nothing a night on board next weekend with some cleaning stuff, polish and a toolkit won't sort. Had a couple of quick sails in very light airs and she handles wonderfully so far.

Thanks to all on here for the advice and encouragement, we'll be hanging around Kip all winter with ridiculous grins on our faces and a steady supply of gin to keep the cold out. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif