Formosa 41
M1ilo
delam. He also says it's worth 50k. He also says 'make offer' . Any comment
on this boat?. I've heard scary stories concerning poor building techniques.
Adrian
I personally think that spending the money to fix up a boat with these types of
problems is not as cost-effective or satisfying as spending that money to get
a boat devoid of these problems in the first place.
Good luck.
Matthew J. Cherry
"vision" of the boat is. I have always bought project boats, mainly
because this was all I could afford. I recently bought another,
however this time I could have afforded one that didn't need a complete
refit. Why do I do this to myself? Because I like the results I get.
The systems I install are better than the systems included in most
production boats. The joiner work is way better than that of any boat
that I could realistically afford. Plus I have the added benefit of
really "knowing" the boat.
Anyway, the vision is important because it determines if you should do
this. If all you want to do is bring the boat back to the condition it
was in when new, or even to a "very good used" standard then it makes
no sense. Spend the money on one in good shape, because believe me you
will spend the money anyway (if not more). If on the otherhand you
view it as a chance to get a hull and basic design that you like and
plan to use it as a canvass to make your dream boat, then it might make
sense. In my case it has allowed me to own boats that were fitted and
finished to a much higher standard than I could afford otherwise.
Whether or not it makes sense to do this is based almost entirely on
cost as the skills themselves are pretty easy to learn, especially with
the right tools. If I could get that Formosa for $15,000 (not unheard
of, BTW) I would buy it, knowing that I would put another $30,000 (at
least) into her over time. (Your cost of tools to do a first rate job
will run about $5,000.) Project boats are dime a dozen you just have
to be able to find them ;->
In any case, hire good surveyor (not one recommended by the broker) and
have a real good look at her. Then, write back and let us know the
results.
Good luck,
Matthew
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
EdAlante
>deck
>delam. He also says it's worth 50k.
I delivered several CT41's and 51's from Formosa Yachts in the 70's and spent
a lot of time at their yards. Hulls are very well built, but the rigging and
fitting out was shabby, and virtually nothing was done to preserve the
woodwork. Totally rotted out trunk cabins and masts were the norm on five year
old boats.
Ross Fleming
>>I am going to be looking at a 1971 Formosa 41. The owner says it has some
>>deck
>>delam. He also says it's worth 50k.
Rebecca and I live aboard a Yankee Clipper 41 built by Formosa
Yachts which I believe is the same boat. Our boat was modified by the
previous owner to have a jib boom on the bowsprit with a flying jib,
chain plates outboard of the hull, and two square sails on the main
mast. See http://staff.washington.edu/~rebe/play/rowena.html for
photos.
The boat is fundamentality sound but has turned in to quite a
project and we keep discovering things that the survey missed. The
boat was built in 73 and we recognize that we are dealing with an old
boat but can't all ways distinguish between the previous owner's
ineptitude (he produced some beautiful rope work, carving, etc. but
didn't do a very good job with the mechanical systems) and faults of
the builder
We are currently unable to sail the boat because we discovered
rot in the main mast just after purchasing the boat. The rot started
where the wire for the steaming light penetrated the mast. If you are
considering a boat with wood masts I would strongly recommend a
separate rig survey.
The frame work supporting the small poop deck at the stern was
completely rotten and required replacement. We will simply live
without the poop deck lockers while we deal with more pressing issues.
The Teak Decks need re bedding. This is probably a typical
old boat problem. It will be slightly more complicated since the
brass fasteners they used are very corroded and many can't be
unscrewed. We don't suspect major rot in the plywood core but there
have been a few minor leaks.
The cabins are well know for rot. Be very thorough with the
survey of this area. Perhaps others can comment on specifics.
The boat was originally fitted with an ice box and on-deck ice
chute. At some point a conversion to electrical refrigeration was
made. We now have a cooler with access to our beer from on deck. What
more could we ask for?
There is good tankage. There are two 55 gal. tanks under the
settees. The 75 gal. diesel tank is under the main cabin sole which
can be lifted for complete access to and even removal of the tank.
There is plenty of space below the state room for a large house
battery bank and a holding tank. We were able to fit the stock Todd
Ind. 20 gallon through the cabin sole. A large tank could be fitted
if the fuel tank was removed and the holding tank was pushed forward
from the main salon.
We are happy with the layout and it works well as a liveaboard
and Puget Sound Cruiser. The lazaret is roomy and has plenty of
storage with good access. We appreciate the separate shower (it does
double duty as a wet locker when cruising). The Forpeak is not
finished as a cabin and we like having a small shop with workbench
and clutter that is out of sight up there.
We wouldn't choose to cruise this boat offshore for several
reasons. We wouldn't be comfortable with the rig since the jibs
require work on the bowsprit, even with downhauls on the sails.
Additionally the rig has weight and windage that we wouldn't want in a
storm. The lazaret is very vulnerable, the hatches would fall off in
a knockdown and the rest of the boat could flood through the bilge.
The list could go on but I am leaving the office now. If you
are interested contact me by email and I will go in to more detail.
Anybody want to form a Formosa email list?
----------------------------------------
Ross Fleming ross...@serv.net
da2ny
http://yachting-net.com/community/forums/askthecaptain/515.html
"M1ilo" <m1...@cs.com> wrote in message
news:20000320220036...@ng-fs1.news.cs.com...
> I am going to be looking at a 1971 Formosa 41. The owner says it has some
deck