Hello ,nubey Considering purchasing a project WS 32

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  • August 13, 2011 3:36 PM
    Message # 675647
    Deleted user
       Gr8 web site !  
       I'm Jim a 60 retiree. Sailing 30 yrs. on coastal pocket cruisers.Some racing & done a couple of long distance crewing gigs... loved it all.  Found a WS 32 that has been sitting 12 yrs. I would very much appreciate comments and opinions on what to look for and expect. Tip and facts to help me identify pedigree kit or factory finish One section of deck ,near midship deck drain is letting a lot of water below. I've some experience w/recore on  end cut balsa.Teak deck caulk is bulging out between strips over entire deck. Is that an indicator or prolly just a bad installation? Really looking to sweat equity my way into a simple but sturdy off shore cruiser.
      Be assured I'm working this site like a bloodhound and don't want to waste anyone's time, that said ... anyone who can point me in the right direction on this site, I will be forever in your debt. I have been a very active contributing member of O'day Owners for 15 yrs. I understand and appreciate the effort it takes to respond to fellow owners/members. Thanks in advance. Jim Nielsen, Chicago , IL
  • August 13, 2011 5:19 PM
    Reply # 675682 on 675647
    Deleted user

    Jim,

    I guess I'll get the ball rolling. I've had Rhapsody for 16 years now and although she was not a project boat per se, she still took a lot of work to get her back in shape. I don't regret a minute or dollar spent in doing so. If I won the lotto tomorrow, I would not get another boat.I don't have any experience with teak decks but a whole lot of other folks do. One of the members has just finished that particular project and he and many others are sure to chime in. The WOA and Bud Taplin are a tremendous resource for anyone embarking on a project such as yours. Don't hesitate to ask any question as someone in the the membership has probably been faced with the same issue at one time or another. Have fun and ask away !

    Werner

    Before, stored in a field in SW Florida.

    1 year later, enroute to Key West on a shakedown cruise.

  • August 13, 2011 8:37 PM
    Reply # 675793 on 675647
    Deleted user

    Hi Jim!

    At the stern on the starboard side there is a stamp in the hull telling you wether it's a factory finish or a kit boat, and the hull number, and date of build.  If it starts with wssf it's factory finish, if it's wssk it's a kit boat, then the hull number, and then date (month and year) of build. 

    We have teak decks on our boat.  A couple years ago we removed the decks to re-bed and re-caulk.  The caulking was pulling out in a bunch of places, and we were worried about water getting to the deck underneath.  As it turns out, the bedding was very good, and we could have saved ourselves a lot of grief by just ripping out the old caulking, giving the wood a good chance to dry (being in Canada this can be difficult), then re-caulking.  We also had a bunch of screws pokeing through the deck (it had worn over the years and the plugs were paper thin).  If you can avoid removing the deck, the job is MUCH easier.  You mentioned the seams bulging above the wood... IF the seams are well stuck to the wood, I'd leave it 'till you need to do it (it adds grip, and teak is often difficult to bond to). 

    We also had to replace the sampson posts (they were wood with no finish at all on them when we bought the boat).  The old owner had siliconed the under side in the chain locker, and water pooled down the side of the sampson post, rotting it and a bit of the deck around it.  Fortunately we caught it early enough, and it hadn't spread too far in the deck.

    Look for mast compression, lots of these boats have had problems with that.  Bud's Westsail Service Manual is well worth the cost if you get into this project.  Westsails are great strong boats... I wish you the best with this project, and welcome aboard!

    Meaghan

     

  • August 14, 2011 6:23 AM
    Reply # 675944 on 675647
    Deleted user
    Meagan and Werner;Thanks for the kind informed responses and encouragement. Though Black Dog has been sitting 12 years it seems in relatively solid condition. The glaring problem was the water in the bilge was up to the cabin sole. Real lot of mold and mildew. Meeting the owner next w/e . The big plus ... the Mrs likes the boats classic looks and it's reputation for being sturdy and safe. She says she can see herself as a live aboard, now this is a first. Most times I say  want to go sailing ? ... and she see's the cabin as half full.LOL!
  • August 14, 2011 6:30 AM
    Reply # 675945 on 675647
    Deleted user

    Hey Jim,

    Go for it. Those are minor issues. Rhapsody had canned food on board which had exploded in the Florida heat, water in the bilge covering the fresh water tanks, and was infested with the famous Florida Brown Spider. I am also on the wrong side of 60 and we keep each other young.

    Werner

  • August 14, 2011 6:49 AM
    Reply # 675948 on 675647
    Deleted user

    Jim,

    I'm famous for double posting as it seems I can't formulate my thoughts in a coherent manner sometimes.

    Jack Webb of S/V Drifter has put together a web site that contains quote "11,746 posts on 2,330 threads   •   From Mar 07, 2004 - Jul 23, 2011" unquote from the former web site. The information to Westsail owners and prospective owners is invaluable and will probably answer many of the questions that you may have over the coming days. Here is a link to the site. He has taken the search off-line to the general public but furnishes a log in on request.

    http://www.westsail.info/

    Werner

  • August 14, 2011 7:37 AM
    Reply # 675969 on 675647
    Deleted user
    Werner; I appreciate your taking time to help out in this BIG decision.Thanks for your link. I'll give it a look later 2day. I'm 30 mi so. of Chicago, the WS (Black Dog) is in Michigan . We had big rain last night in the whole region so I'm gonna run up and see just where the water is coming in as estimate how much.I just don't want to get in to far over my head. Read most of Bud's pdf archives and will be inspecting cross beams for rot in the area of leak. That sort of repair would be out of my wheel house. Wish me luck. Jim
  • August 14, 2011 7:57 AM
    Reply # 675978 on 675647
    Deleted user

    Welcome to the site Jim. I owned Satori for 7 years. Just as I got the last kid out of college and was literally ready to leave, I had my first heart attack. Waited for a year to leave-- and had my second after 11 months. Waited for two years and before I was ready (at 13 months)  I had my third. Time to give up. Moral of the story is- go for it before life gets in the way.  

      My wife was a lubber until she married me.  Sent her to sailing school. She learned on a Hunter 35 but was very nervous when the hull was "oilcanning" on the bay on a light wind day. After she was on Satori she was hooked on the ride and had real confidence in the boat. The one thing I would do over is get a small sailboat in the 10-14 ft range to give your wife (if she is a non-sailer)  time with a tiller and sail trim. Big boats can be a little intimatidating.

      My only other bit of advice is get a Westsail 32 if you really want to go places. If you are just going to live aboard and not move much get a modern big wide boat like a Catalina or Hunter. Much better for just living aboard. As you said you want to go places the Westsail is just the ticket. There are lots of really good info in the blogs section. Dick and Libby Mills site is really good. They really help get me through my very boring day.  Ken

  • August 14, 2011 8:17 AM
    Reply # 675990 on 675647
    Deleted user
    Ken; Thanks for your thoughts. My wife has day sailed with me for many years. The scenario is I solo to destinations on the Gr8 Lakes , Bahamas, Fl Keys and she flies in for Island hopping or gunkholeing. So yes, going places is high on my list not so much w/her. She doesn't mind me leaving for extended periods. Last year took a 51 Jeanneau  
    to the Panama Canal in spring and a Beneteau 36 out of Chicago to the US &BVI's
      I'll check out your suggestions for the info and the welcome. Jim
  • August 14, 2011 8:26 AM
    Reply # 675993 on 675647
    Deleted user
     Ken; Not "the" Satori of PS fame? Sad to hear that heath problems sidelined your plans. As a stage 3 Non Hodgkin s Lymphoma survivor, my Oncoligist calls me his "miracle man".He said in 35 yrs. experience I'm the only 1 who had what I had and made it 10 yrs. So I can relate ...I never thought I'd be doing this... every day is a gr8 day and icing on a beautiful cake. Jim
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