This morning, I did it. I bought a boat.

**Alan H** · 17th March 07, 05:31 PM

I bought a boat.

It'sa Santa Cruz 27, one of the quintessential ultralight racers. It's a classic West Coast (USA) shorthanded ocean boat. The incredible thing is that a lot of the stuff I would have to do to any boat to prepare her for my big goal, has already been done. The radio is there, the sails are one season old...LOTS of life in them, they've only been up ten times. I got a storm jib as part of the deal. Who the hell buys a storm jib for a SC27?

Guys that do what I want to do, buy storm jibs for Santa Cruz 27's. The boat even has the brackets still on it, that EXACTLY fit my windvane. The hull is sound, the keel is faired, and the bottom is smooth. The hull is dry and light, she's lived on her trailer for the last 8 years.

She's a bit "cosmetically challenged", we'll say, since the gel coat on her deck is pretty much gone but then so is her new skipper. LOL I don't really give a rip about pretty paint, but a lot of people do and so he had a hard time selling the boat...until I came along. When Piper George heard the asking price ( he was helping me inspect it today...two heads are better than one) he gave me one of THOSE looks.

It is, basically, about as close to perfect as I could wish for without spending so much money that I cease breathing. The price was GREAT.....solid boat. Happy new skipper. Skipper can begin to dream, again.

Onwards, again...at last. The long wait is over, and I can again resuscitate my dream for one last go at it.

**Alan H** · 17th March 07, 05:36 PM

A pic...this isn't my boat, but they're sisterships...same design.

Here's a link to a gallery of pics at the Class association

http://www.sc27.org/sc27class/gallery1.htm

**Mr. Kilt** · 17th March 07, 05:41 PM

Very nice!!

**Panache** · 17th March 07, 05:48 PM

Congratulations Alan!

(or is that skipper?)

I'm sure she's Yar!

You failed to mention your new lady's name.

Cheers

Panache

**porrick** · 17th March 07, 06:03 PM

Congratulations!
Sailing is a great past-time.

I own a Maxi 95, a 31.5' cruiser. Hmm, maybe I should get a couple of snaps of the lady uploaded...

**Tattoo Bradley** · 17th March 07, 06:22 PM

WOW!

'Round here there aren't to many boat owners.

**Splash_4** · 17th March 07, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by Tattoobradley

WOW!

'Round here there aren't to many boat owners.

How right you are! Lots and lots of beach.... Not a lot of water...

**keepoffgrass** · 17th March 07, 06:34 PM

Congratulations! beautiful boat! very nice lad! If you decide to take her across the pacific look me up :-D

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 17th March 07, 06:38 PM

Alan, you forgot to mention what is your big goal? To sail her to the big Island?

**Steeplechase** · 17th March 07, 06:43 PM

Hey Alan, sounds like ya done good!

I guess the previous owner did have a time selling her. Most folks would buy a pretty piece of junk over a "salty" sound, and proper hull. Nothing wrong with a seasoned boat.

Wishing you fair wind and a following sea.