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Questions from a prospective owner

  • December 09, 2016 9:38 AM
    Quote
    Message # 4450038
    Deleted user

    Hi, I am a highly experienced sailor, never in a heavy full keeler, however.  My wife and I are looking at a 42 in great condition for a planned voyage San Diego - Ecuador (and beyond its an open ended retirement).

    (1) How well does the 42 go to weather?  What is the expected AWA in 15 knots?

    (2) Boat we are looking at is rigged as sloop with a big genny), no staysail/forestay, how important is the staysail? When is it used?  Would you add the forestay just for a storm jib?

    (3) Boat has  inadequate anchor, what is recommended size (thinking of something like 55 lb Rocna).  Recommended chain/rode?  This is for anchoring nearly every day in variety of bottoms and planned for withstanding major storms.  Boat has way oversized windlass.

    (4) How do you get a look at the fuel tanks and water tanks in prepurchase survey?

    (5) Would you add a boom gallows?

    Thank you I have many other questions. 
  • January 17, 2017 8:15 PM
    Quote
    Reply # 4553808 on 4450038
    Deleted user
    Hi James,
    we have a Westsail 42 ketch (SVChantey) so sail plan is a little different but will try to answer what we can

    James Baumgart wrote:

    Hi, I am a highly experienced sailor, never in a heavy full keeler, however.  My wife and I are looking at a 42 in great condition for a planned voyage San Diego - Ecuador (and beyond its an open ended retirement).

    (1) How well does the 42 go to weather?  What is the expected AWA in 15 knots?

    - We find Chantey goes well to weather in good winds like that. Depends on current, sails set etc. but 45 degrees is possible.

    (2) Boat we are looking at is rigged as sloop with a big genny), no staysail/forestay, how important is the staysail? When is it used?  Would you add the forestay just for a storm jib?

    - as ketch we have self-tacking staysail and fly a large yankee on the headstay. We find this configuration is great in all beam and upwind situations, the extra slot really powers well.  Downwind in strong weather we have tried the staysail and mizzen, nit sure with sloop.

    (3) Boat has  inadequate anchor, what is recommended size (thinking of something like 55 lb Rocna).  Recommended chain/rode?  This is for anchoring nearly every day in variety of bottoms and planned for withstanding major storms.  Boat has way oversized windlass.

    - we have 75lb CQR with all chain. This has held us well in up to 50knt wind and we have only dragged when fouled on plastic etc. We would recommend this weight for oeace of mind.

    (4) How do you get a look at the fuel tanks and water tanks in prepurchase survey?

    - there were already holes in floor of galley area and under dinette to access hose fittings. Couldn;t actually see much. Had to dismantle dinette and companionway to inspect fuel tank properly after purchase.

    (5) Would you add a boom gallows?

    - yes. Because I like them when reefing adn to avoid wear on gooseneck when anchored. There was one in the way in cockpit when we bout the boat, we removed and plan to replace as pat of s solid doghouse we are contructing.

    Thank you I have many other questions.


    You're welcome!

    Jane & IVan
  • January 25, 2017 10:27 PM
    Quote
    Reply # 4569150 on 4450038
    Anonymous member

    Hi James,

    We have a W42 which we purchased back in 2012. Due to various factors, we are doing a major refit of the boat.

    Concerning fuel tanks. We have various hatches at the bottom of the companionway which provide access to the water and fuel tanks. Where the cabin floor steps down there is another hatch from where the bow end of the ( our ) water tank can be seen.  

    *** One thing to look for is if the water tank bottom is in relation to the bilge. Unfortunately our tank pretty much sat on the bilge, if not with very little clearance. Over years the crap, that passes and accumulates in the upper bilge and passing to the lower bilge, got stuck under both the fuel and water tank causing corrosion and holes in both tanks. We had diesel fuel leak into the upper bilge and contaminate the water tank through holes corroded in the water tank. ***

    We will be replacing the tanks soon which involves removing a good portion of the interior.

    Hope this helps a little.

    All the best,


    George and Nancy

    W42 Cadence