Falling for a 78 Independence

[jrodgers04]

Hi all,

I have my eyes on a 78 Independence cutter rig. I grew up sailing but now getting the family (me, wife, 7yr old, 2 yr old) into sailing with the goal of working up over the next few years from weekending to potentially month + long cruises. Need a good boat to do so, have been looking for awhile, found this boat, and really love it.

Does anyone have experience with these? The bowsprit, pulpit, and surrounding deck has been replaced. New yanmar installed in 05 with only 1700 hrs. New running rigging. New sails in 05. Hull, topsides, deck in good shape. Pressurized water, hot water, grey water systems all in good shape. Good cushions interior and exterior. Exterior teak in good shape. Needs some light carpentry inside but I build furniture on the side so not concerned, and actually welcome the chance to enhance. Has a project list but nothing another boat of this vintage wouldn't have.

Hard to find info so any insights from other owners would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Jon

 

[dt222]

Hi Jon,

I moved up from an E'27 to an Independence last season, and can't say enough good things about it. Mine is hull #60 and a year newer than the one that you are looking at. Mine is powered with an older Yanmar 3GM30, is also cutter rigged, but I sail it without the staysail. Although a small production run, there are many loyal owners, although not too many in New England. It is a great cruising boat for our waters and with a 5' draft you can get into most places. Several owners have made various improvements. Mine has had the internal chainplates replaced with external ones as well as the vinyl headliner replaced with a solid plastic product (all done by previous owners). Glyn Judson out in California is a great resource for this model and I am sure that he will jump in. It's no speed demon, but it sure is a comfortable ride.

Don

 

[jrodgers04]

Don, thank you for the response and info. Glad to hear of another New England owner. I'm trying to temper my mild obsession with the looks and design (that cockpit is rediculously cavernous) with sound old boat selection reasoning, but I really think both can prevail with this particular boat. I've seen Glyn's posts crop up, I would like to pick his brain a bit.

When you say you typically sail without the staysail, I assume the stay for the staysail remains in place...do you find the headsail cumbersome to tack with the stay for the staysail in place? Current owner noted, if he is short handed, he furls the headsail enough to clear the staysail, tacks, then unfurls and brings it in. Or he doesn't even fly the headsail and let's the self taking staysail do its thing in conjunction with the main. Does that match your experience? I've only sailed masthead sloops so the cutter thing is new to me. The dual whisker pole setup is intriguing too...looking forward to trying that.

Thanks,
Jon

 

[Glyn Judson]

E31 questions.

Jon, I'm going to make this one short, you see we are in our boat on a mooring at Catalina Island, sailing home tomorrow after having been here for almost three weeks off and on. If you find it easier, by all means call me any time on my cell at 310.804.9198 or at home at 310.453.1892. I'm glad to share what I know including the boat you are considering. What hull is she? Talk soon, Glyn

 

[dt222]

Staysail

Don, thank you for the response and info. Glad to hear of another New England owner. I'm trying to temper my mild obsession with the looks and design (that cockpit is rediculously cavernous) with sound old boat selection reasoning, but I really think both can prevail with this particular boat. I've seen Glyn's posts crop up, I would like to pick his brain a bit.

When you say you typically sail without the staysail, I assume the stay for the staysail remains in place...do you find the headsail cumbersome to tack with the stay for the staysail in place? Current owner noted, if he is short handed, he furls the headsail enough to clear the staysail, tacks, then unfurls and brings it in. Or he doesn't even fly the headsail and let's the self taking staysail do its thing in conjunction with the main. Does that match your experience? I've only sailed masthead sloops so the cutter thing is new to me. The dual whisker pole setup is intriguing too...looking forward to trying that.

Thanks,
Jon

Jon,

I sail with the staysail stay tied off to one of the starboard stanchions. Most of my sails are short-duration/distance and short to single handed. I'd much rather deal with just one fore sail on those occasions I'd never thought of just using the staysail- I'll have to try that. I was wanting to rig the staysail this summer- just haven't gotten around to it. The previous owner also had not rigged/sailed with it.

Don

 

[jrodgers04]

Jon, I'm going to make this one short, you see we are in our boat on a mooring at Catalina Island, sailing home tomorrow after having been here for almost three weeks off and on. If you find it easier, by all means call me any time on my cell at 310.804.9198 or at home at 310.453.1892. I'm glad to share what I know including the boat you are considering. What hull is she? Talk soon, Glyn

Thanks Glyn, nice to hear from you, I'll call you this week. She's hull number 31.

thanks,
Jon

 

[jrodgers04]

Jon,

I sail with the staysail stay tied off to one of the starboard stanchions. Most of my sails are short-duration/distance and short to single handed. I'd much rather deal with just one fore sail on those occasions I'd never thought of just using the staysail- I'll have to try that. I was wanting to rig the staysail this summer- just haven't gotten around to it. The previous owner also had not rigged/sailed with it.

Don

Thanks Don, good to know. I assumed the stay was more permenantly secured to the deck vs something that could be tucked to the side.

Thanks,
Jon