Buyer's advice on Nonsuch 33

[Brian Godfrey]

I have a tentative appointment to see that NS33 that I mentioned in a previous email.  If the owner decides to sell it now rather than wait until November. 

So what kind of things should I be looking for - what is desirable and what problems are likely to be encountered?  What questions should I be asking?

What is the overall measured length including bowsprit?  That's what the marina's charge for.  (They charge for dinghy davits and anything else that hangs out, but those things are probably variable.)

Thanks!

--Brian Godfrey

  

[Charles A. Mitchell, III]

have the motor oil analyzed, look for soft spot in the hull or cabin, could be water in the core and can be very expensive to fix

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[Ray Dykstra]

Brian 

  I checked the original brochure which states the LOA is 33’5” not including the bowsprit, which on my boat is 2’4”

Regarding what to look for would be a long list.  I would start with getting the history of the boat dating back to its launch, then I would ask for documentation of all repairs done by the current owner, this would give me an idea of how well it has been looked after.  Is the boat clean, no smell of mold, look under the mattress and upholstery for water stains and mold.  Engine hours are important and remember the survey doesn’t include the engine which is a seperate survey.  What electrical upgrades have been done and wither it was DYI or professional.  Any accidents or groundings.  Look at the running rigging and sails, again a good indication of how well it has been looked after.  Look in the engine compartment for evidence of oil leaks, the bilge for oil and water.  

The fordeck takes a lot of stress and blistering could indicated water into the balsa core thus weakening it.  The aluminum mast and boom will need to be inspected by a rigger who has experince with nonsuch's

I hope this helps.

Ray Dykstra 

Timaru Nui, Nonsuch 324

Brentwood Bay BC

[Barry Connell]

I agree with Ray’s advice. The thing I start with is the simple “nose test”. That is, if it smells funky, you have to suspect sloppy maintenance.

 Have a lab test samples of the crankcase oil and transmission oil to see the concentrations of metals (have your surveyer interpret the results and tell you  how much life is left in the engine, which is a critical ( and expensive) issue. Don’t ignore the rigging - is the running rigging fresh and in good shape?  Winches turn freely, or are they frozen (as I discovered on Nocturne, which I brought back to life). 

And if the windlass is disfunctional, this is a $5,000 repair right off the bat.   

Great boats, but many surveyors are not familiar with the wishbone rig. 

Barry Connell

Nocturne (N36)

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[Brian M. Godfrey]

   Well we took a look at that boat, today.  It is very nice and well kept.  I did not feel any soft decks or that kind of thing.  Things that have been in the sun for 32 years show it, like the faded dark blue stripe around the top edge of the hull, but that is to be expected and is not a problem.  If I can't handle it, I suppose I can always paint it.  It's got a nice bimini with an extra bar outside of the canvas around the rear edge for the sheets to rub against.  The only thing we could really find to "complain" about is the refrigerator/freezer setup.  It's top loading with the fridge behind the freezer.  We will need to keep a step stool for my 5' tall wife.  (I can barely reach the bottom of the fridge, myself.)  That is obviously a very minor complaint.
   The broker misunderstood the seller and the winches are all manual.  That's OK for now, but we may electrify the big one as we get older.  We'll see.
   It's a heavy boat with a lot of freeboard, so I'm not sure how docking will go.  We get a lot of cross winds around here.  Has anyone ever put a bow thruster on one of these boats?  Nobody is going to go jumping off of my boat to dock.  That was drilled into my head as a tug boat crewman in the 1970s, as a large schooner crewman in the 1980s and I don't intend to begin violating it in our old age when injuries take forever to heal.
   So we are going to make an offer on the boat and see what happens.  The owner is leaving town for two months starting Sept 1st, so I'm hoping we can get to the point of doing the sea trial with him before then.  If we can't a friend of his who also owns a Nonsuch will come along with a paid captain to do it, but I'd really prefer to learn from the owner if at all possible.  The sea trial will probably be even more important for this boat than for others we might buy because it is so unusual.  If we still like it after that (and I expect we probably will) the rest of the deal can all be done remotely.

--Brian M. Godfrey
  br...@wildbirdshop.com

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[Paul Miller]

I installed a bow thruster in my 30 a few years ago and it has made a huge difference in my willingness to leave the dock on days when the wind is frisky. I sail alone and the big mast all the way forward makes cross wind docking ….. interesting ….

Paul M

NS30U #211, Sandpiper 

Cowichan Bay,B.C.

[Ernie Abugov N22 - #56 "Moustaches" Toronto]

Brian -

Congrats on your "likely" purchase. If all goes well and you take possession of this boat, why not ask Paul Miller to jump in his car and drive down from Vancouver Island ?? With his tools, that is. 

He documented his installation of that bow thruster on his boat and it's something to behold. A pretty amazing job.

Perhaps he'll install yours for you ?? You never know !!

Ernie A. in Toronto