Recent content by Matt Fish

Agree with this, bigd14. I called the broker last week, same day the listing was posted here, and it was already under contract. Looked from the photos to be an excellent boat too, especially for the price.

Alan, yesterday I was able to test out the size of the V berth in another 1987 E28. (Dave said this is a 28-2 model and not a 28+) When seated on the aft end of the V berth my head touched the cabin top and forced me to stoop a little bit (I'm 5'10"). (Side note: Can one stoop while seated? Or...

Dave, I was a little bit awkward when I tried to lie down in the 28's V berth. I went in head first so that my shoes wouldn't touch the cushions. (Who knows why I didn't just take my shoes off...ugh.) In retrospect I wish I had gone in feet first. The owner and his wife slept feet forward and...

Alan, I personally love the blue cushions on the 28. The 1974 E29 loud red floral print not so much. I didn't try the quarter berth on the 28 but I could imagine using it as a garage as well. Similar to your 26, the 28 starboard settee pulls out into a double and that'd be for the adults, I'd...

I looked at this 28 last week. The interior looked nearly new -- pristine. In my opinion it would still need: New standing and running rigging, bottom job, new sails, exterior bright work, and mast re-anodizing.) Owner was a great guy as well. He's owned it since 1989...

Dave, budget is around $15k and to snugly sleep a family of four --- but that 35 is worth a look, thank you. I'm going up to see this 29 in a couple days -- the floral print would require emergency recovering. https://www.seacoastyachts.com/listings/29-ericson-1974-sloop-boats-for-sale/

Stepped away for sure. Going to keep looking and going to enjoy the process.

Excellent points. A broker I've talked with let it slip that he receives a flat fee of $3,500 for boats in my price range. It's only one data point; it may not hold true with other brokers. I'll take a close look at Triton. And I'll get a purchase agreement in place before any survey on a future...

Sage advice and I'll take it. Thanks again everybody on this thread for your perspectives on this boat. Going to keep searching for the right boat. Christian, that's an excellent idea. I'll start looking with a yacht broker to broaden my horizons. Enjoyable and useful -- sign me up.

A few bilge photos for those interested in such things. There is about 3/4" of oily water in the first picture (aft). The second picture is dry but has oil residue (forward). I wiped away the scum and the bolts and nuts seem nice and healthy. Sort of weird -- I found an earth worm in the area...

Photos of the interior showing general condition of the cabin. The water damage around the port lights is on both sides but especially bad on the starboard side. The exterior of the port lights looks fine -- but obviously is not sealed. The owner reported that water never dripped from these...

Compression post photos: The head door doesn't close, and the privacy door that goes across from port to starboard doesn't close. These could be two different issues. I'm point these out to the surveyor.

Engine update: The owner has agreed to prove the engine runs and will pay for that. (Seems obvious in retrospect.) I'll post an update after that happens. Dave G.: Yes, it's been in a slip at least since 1995! Amazing. I'll post a few photos of the bilge in the next message or two.

Thank you for all the great replies -- very much appreciated. Planning to get a detailed survey. Also planning to polish the fuel and get a diesel mechanic in to learn more and see if it can be run safely. Thanks again to everyone reading and commenting on this thread. I will post some more...

...and here are photos of the engine. The current owner and I decided to not start the motor until we can get the fuel polished and have it serviced. Before letting it sit for years, there was nothing abnormal about the engine (started, ran fine, no water ingress, etc.). Tomorrow I'll try to...