So -
Earlier this week I put up my first post, regarding a CL posting for a H16. Thanks to all of the responses, as well as the various threads on this site, I (somewhat) knew what to look for, and the crunching of the hull decks under my hands was a message received.
So, now we are looking at three options, two of which yet to be seen. I've listed them below. Background information: this boat will be for casual (but perhaps stupidly aggressive, at times) family sailing, in and around Portland, Oregon, Lake Tahoe, and occasionally the Santa Cruz (CA) Bay. So fresh and salt water, flat and wavy, etc. No plans to race her, so paying a "premium" for top end gear is not really a big plus.
I would really appreciate your feedback!
Option 1 (seen it) - asking $2,000
+ 1977/78 H16 yellow hulls, Tequila Sunrise original sails
+ original owner, hulls solid, bottoms look good, no dings or chips
+ original sails look in very good shape (no repairs, tears, fairly crisp)
+ mast is straight
+ trailer is definitely serviceable
- newish white tramp is faded,dirty (outside storage)
- "re-sealing" around hull/pylon entry points is sloppy - needs re-sealing
- needs a new tiller extension, jib downhaul cleat, bridle and forestay (originals still on boat)
- original white rudders
- no trapeze (need to buy)
- trailer has homemade PVC pipe sailbox (paint and TLC will fix)
Option 2 (CL ad see below) - asking $2,500
+ looks "mint"
+ haven't done much checking into it yet, as I'd like to buy boat above and sail immediately
+
http://portland.craigslist.org/grg/boa/3215025788.html- is this too much boat for our purposes?
Option 3 - asking $3,000
+ a 75 boat in the Fleet 72 (Portland, OR) group
+ apparently in great shape, with $1,000s in upgrades, dark orange hulls
+ EPO rudders, etc
- no pictures (yet)
- is this "way" too much boat for our purposes?
I'm inclined to go with boat 1, and just add what I need as we sail her (new blocks, lines, cleats, etc etc). But I would hate to pass up a great boat (2 and 3), being "penny wise and pound foolish".
Today is decision day!