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I was at the New England boat show this week, I am impressed with the amount of sailboats they now have. The move to the bigger venue a few years ago allowed more sailboats. Woot, they even had the Gemini 105 mc there. First time I was actually on one, very nice. This particular one was just a basic Gemini with no frills. Not to happy with the sales person, it seemed I knew more about the boat than he did,but that’s understandable. I decided a few years ago that this would be my ultimate liveaboard cruiser, so I have followed this boat with interest.

    Also signed up for Asa course, 104, at black rock sailing school and purchased a six month membership for daysailing. 104 is a coastal cruising rating that requires spending four days and three nights on cruising boat, stopping every night to anchor or moor. The same club may get a 105 for charter and lessons, I told Brenton I would be first in line for that. There is also a sail time  opportunity, maybe next year, 6500 dollars for a season on a 105.

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Ok, no boat yet, I  am still looking, but this summer I decided to join a sailing club on Boston Harbor. Black Rock sailing School. My sailing was rusty, so I redid ASA 101 and 103. I scored 99 and 92 on the written tests. 101 was done a colgate26, and 103 was done on a brand new 49 ft hunter with all the goodies. That boat was awesome. Brenton ,owner instructor , did a great job teaching. I was very confident in my abilities when the instruction was over. After my free month, I joined as harbor20 boat member . The club has three of these great day sailers. Next year I will take 104 and 105, learning all I can on my way to live aboard cruiser.

I saw the Citation today, it is very good shape and , if winter was not coming,you could sail it away. Except the merrimac river has a four knot current where the boat is, that is without the 20 knot wind today.

It is worth a survey and an offer, asking price is 19,900. I would be responsible for transporting, over land to Boston and winter storage. I will research that tomorrow, than factor it into my offer.

My broker is John Proctor from Lawson yachts, hingham Ma. The more i deal with him the more I like him. This boat is being offered by another broker. Paul was great, but i was happy John was with me. He has recommended a surveyor who will be tough, he may have bias against Irwin boats. It will be good not to have a yes man.

Tomorrow i will take a look at  a Irwin Citation 31, cruising type sailboat. The broker says they can be decent boats if they have been taken care of. They are along   of a Hunter, Catalina.John says Catalina did better than Irwin. For my price range, up to 20,000, these will be the only boats i can look at. They are all competent coastal cruising boats, which is all I would do with this , my first boat.

this from the classified

 Sweet boat. This boat is in the best condition with the best equipment that you will find in this price range. Hull & deck in good shape, newer Genoa. She has full canvas also newer (’03). The interior is very clean, brightwork in very good condition, and the faux suede cushions look new.

The Irwin 31 Citation is a well respected boat known as a good and rugged family cruiser, nice and beamy making her decks easy to walk, and her interior very roomy. This boat is a Must See. You will not be disappointed. She is in the water now ready for her new owner to sail her away.

first welcome to my first email subscriber, whomever you are.

sad news, my bid was not accepted, even tho I was 500 more than the “other buyer”and 1100 more than asking price, but no fear I will continue on. The learning process of purchasing a used boat is valuable. Next I am looking at a 1980 Catalina 30, just moved into a marina, on the hard? Boat is in New Hampshire, conveniently on the way to White Mts. So Saturday I will head north see boat early AM, then be on the trail for day hike up Mt Chocorua in White Mts National Forest., about an hour later. Sweet.

here is ad

1980 Catalina 30 Standard rig. Brand new (2010) Doyle Main Stack Pack and brand new Genoa. Harken roller furling system. Vetus 22HP diesel completely rebuilt this spring (2010). New batteries in Fall 2009. New bilge pump (2010). Garmin 440 GPS. Hand held Garmin GPS 72. CD player 4 speaker sound system. Interior cushions in good shape. Includes Zodiac inflatable dinghy with Johnson 5 HP outboard. Call or e-mail for more details. asking 19,900

research on Doyle stack pack finds some forum entries where folks do not like it, anyone use one or have any thoughts on it, just comment or email. I like that this boat comes with a dinghy and outboard. This boat is only a long day sail from Boston.

my verbal offer has been sent to the owner via broker. It is all very hush, hush, another gentleman made an offer Sunday night, directly to the owner, from what I understand thats a no no. This buyer is represented by the same brokerage but different broker than me. His offer is not official until its in writing and signed. I do not know what the other buyers offer was, nor does he know mine. His discussion with the owner on Sunday was left with a “you need to come up a little , before I come down a little situation”. After hearing my offer, owner instructed broker to tell other buyer. he needs to come up.

      I believe my offer was higher than other buyer, but he has other things going for him, which I will not divulge until one of us is owner of boat. With luck I will sign an agreement tomorrow, if not I have found several Catalina 30s and an interesting Irwin Citation 31 I will look at. No sailing until May anyway. Prospective mooring is at Boston harbor Sailing school, they have a may thru October deal at 89.00 a foot. Launch service till ten oclock and a perfect view of city.

My father has purchased and sold at least dozen or more boats over the years. I have never. Saturday i went and looked at my first sailboat, met with the broker at the residence of the current owner. the boat is on the hard at his property.

    Very impressed with the process, seems like John from Lawson Yachts, Hingham MA is very Nice and knowledgeable. This boat was 1980 Beryll 30 from Germany. Solid boat, built like a tank. owned by one man the entire 30 years. Center cockpit with an aft cabin, two bunks, that has separate entrance in cockpit. main saloon/cabin is very spacious lots of nice woodwork. This owner has kept the boat up well.

     wheel sterring with STAutohelm, standard guages, no gps.(he had a loran, LOL). Head, no shower, no hot water. Full compliment of sails and i believe its a bow roller? not a windlass.

     Four people looked at the baot that day and another before, so today I am going to make an official offer and hope to sign an purchase agreement, awaiting survey, tomorrow. I want to get my hbid in now. Ultimateley it is up to owner who he sells it to, but if I am first it might give me an edge. Boat list at 14,900. after I sign agreement I will divulge my offer here.

while looking thru classifieds for used 30 foot cruising boats I discovered a Deerberg Beryll 31 cruising sailboat fro sale. It was built in 1980 in Germany, west Germany, I am assuming. I could not find a company website, but found many classified ads for similar boat for sale in Europe. This one is here in MAssachusetts and within my budget range. It has two cabins, v berth and aft cabin , with two bunks, this cabin is accesible from the cockpit, not sure if it is from below, thios is not clear in photos. I have contacted the broker.