Got a plastic classic?

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by newhaul

I hope so as well .I just received word that the owner has until October 5th to remove the Spencer from the marina where it is currently moored .

Isn't this hull number 6 and isn't she down in San Diego? There must be someone in that area who'd be interested. If they need help moving her, let me know.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Isn't this hull number 6 and isn't she down in San Diego? There must be someone in that area who'd be interested. If they need help moving her, let me know.

Yes she is hull number 6
Sorry I was not awake earlier.
Here is a quote from the email the current owner sent me concerning the Spencer .


".Hi thank you very much for responding so quickly,. I am located in San Diego, Mission Bay to be exact. She is a 1962 hull #6 of 64. 35' mk1 . I have every piece of correspondence from the first request of her being built, all the correspondence for all the custom stuff that was ordered, and all the receipts until she was finished and delivered. She has a 1943 naval ships gyrocompass binnacle with wheel, and auto pilot. All her original electronics are on her including her wind generator the radio telephone etc. i'd like to get as close to 3000 as I can, but that's negotiable"

[newhaul]

Just found her Craigslist ad
Https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/...321205620.html

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by BabsnChad

Wow! I just tripped across this thread and read the whole thing! Killer job, Don. Hay Kim, I bought an Eldon sailboat in 1964 when I was 9 with my birthday money. About 2 months ago I was thinking back about how this sailing dream all started and remembered that boat, so I got on Ebay, and BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE!!! And yes I sailed my toy lots when I was a kid, she even sank once but I got her back! Now out of blind luck I bought a1966 26' Ericson Bill Crealock design w/ trailer for $500. Now the real fun behind

Welcome aboard BabsnChad! Sounds like you really scored with that boat and a trailer! Let's see those photos!

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Yes she is hull number 6
Sorry I was not awake earlier.
Here is a quote from the email the current owner sent me concerning the Spencer .


".Hi thank you very much for responding so quickly,. I am located in San Diego, Mission Bay to be exact. She is a 1962 hull #6 of 64. 35' mk1 . I have every piece of correspondence from the first request of her being built, all the correspondence for all the custom stuff that was ordered, and all the receipts until she was finished and delivered. She has a 1943 naval ships gyrocompass binnacle with wheel, and auto pilot. All her original electronics are on her including her wind generator the radio telephone etc. i'd like to get as close to 3000 as I can, but that's negotiable"

Just an FYI to anyone curious about this OLD boat... here is a clip from bluewaterboats.org:

"Yachts built by Spencer Boats enjoy a reputation of being very well constructed. Spencer Boats attached the bulkheads and deck to the hull while the hull was still in the mould, to ensure that the hull remained undistorted. The hull deck joint is heavily fiberglassed, forming a strong monocoque structure. The bulkheads are bonded to both the hull and deck, and the furniture is also bonded to the hull for additional support."

Now if you ordered a hull to be built like that now, how much do you think it would cost? That's one of the reasons a few of us are (still) a little fired up about the classics...

Imagine this boat being cut up for its lead...

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Just an FYI to anyone curious about this OLD boat... here is a clip from bluewaterboats.org:

"Yachts built by Spencer Boats enjoy a reputation of being very well constructed. Spencer Boats attached the bulkheads and deck to the hull while the hull was still in the mould, to ensure that the hull remained undistorted. The hull deck joint is heavily fiberglassed, forming a strong monocoque structure. The bulkheads are bonded to both the hull and deck, and the furniture is also bonded to the hull for additional support."

Now if you ordered a hull to be built like that now, how much do you think it would cost? That's one of the reasons a few of us are (still) a little fired up about the classics...

Imagine this boat being cut up for its lead...

It would be a real shame tomsee her cut up. BTW my s42 survey replacement cost was just a bit below 900k .

Just as an example.

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Just an FYI to anyone curious about this OLD boat... here is a clip from bluewaterboats.org:

"Yachts built by Spencer Boats enjoy a reputation of being very well constructed. Spencer Boats attached the bulkheads and deck to the hull while the hull was still in the mould, to ensure that the hull remained undistorted. The hull deck joint is heavily fiberglassed, forming a strong monocoque structure. The bulkheads are bonded to both the hull and deck, and the furniture is also bonded to the hull for additional support."

Now if you ordered a hull to be built like that now, how much do you think it would cost? That's one of the reasons a few of us are (still) a little fired up about the classics...

Imagine this boat being cut up for its lead...

The decks are not cored on the early Spencer 35's either.

[Don C L]

I see a bunch of folks have joined the Plastic Classics social group but haven't posted their greetings yet. That's no way to get your matching captain's cap, lobster bib and winch covers!

[AJ_n_Audrey]

I think my Bill Shaw designed 1981 Pearson 367 Cutter qualifies, especially since it is based on the 1976 Pearson 365 ketch design - the deck mold is the same as the 365 - you can see the blank space in the cockpit sole where the mizzenmast was stepped on the 365. Aside from the rig, the big difference is the deeper keel. I benefited from extensive work done by the previous two owners - most of it well and professionally done, but some...not so much:

PO Work Done
- professional blister job
- new chainplates and all new standing rigging
- westerbeke 40 engine re-built
- new freshwater tanks and pump
- new (2012) electronics
- re-wired mast and all LED lights
- new sails, new dodger, new bimini

My work:
- new bronze gudgeon
- new NFM portlights
- re-built auto-pilot base (re-doing PO work)
- new teak cabintop and interior grabrails (if you do one, you have to do the others, cause they're screwed together)
- upgraded cooling system fittings per Westerbeke bulletin
- replaced teak "eyebrows"
- refinished galley woodwork and replaced broken cabinetry
- refinished companionway steps
- pulled holding tank, replaced broken marine head with composting toilet.
- Replaced non-working berth lights and added fans
- re-built water pump">raw water pump

Next: Will deal with balsa rot on the deck at penetrations, plus the entire cockpit floor. Will paint top sides after balsa repairs, plugs of filled resin at all bolt holes. New chain plates. Convert former holding tank location to storage. Replace hot water tank if time / money allows. Replace topping lift. Add secondary bilge pump and high water alarm.

Here's a pic of Audrey the day I sailed her away from the yard where I took possession:

[chasm]

OK, I'll post up greetings, too. Thanks for the arm-twisting, @Don C L.

I'm the very lucky owner of a new-to-me plastic classic. She's a 1981 Able Whister 32 -- hull #5 of (a rumored) only 17 built. Originally rigged as a cutter, Honu still has a cutter stay (now stowable) so she's able to fly a staysail on the inner stay.

The boat was designed by Chuck Paine and built by Able Marine (Cro Fox) in Maine. The Whistlers were included in Ferenc Mate's excellent book, Best Boats. (BTW, lots of great, old fiberglass boats featured in that book!)

Here's a short video with cameo appearances featuring Whistler I (the first built), which is a cat-ketch rig.
https://vimeo.com/200676390
(Spoiler alert: the video promotes tourism and cruising in Maine, so the sailing is secondary to the "lifestyle" clips.)

Honu is the same hull -- differences are that she is sloop rigged and steered by tiller.

The previous owner did lots of good work, including professionally extending the keel after having the original swing centerboard removed. When I bought her, she was 95% ready to cross oceans.

The boat lived her previous life in the northeast. She's now in Brunswick, GA, where I'm happily finishing up the refit and hemorrhaging money.

[Don C L]

Great stuff.... don't forget to add it all to the social group:
Cruisers & Sailing Forums - Plastic Classics

[406Columbia]

This is a great thread! I will have to take a few photos of the old girl when we haul out later this month and post here.

[Supers0nic]

Hears my 1976 Toni Hansen tri. Found her in the woods. Worked a steady two years. No she’s home.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Supers0nic

Hears my 1976 Toni Hansen tri. Found her in the woods. Worked a steady two years. No she’s home.

Great! Any photos of the restoration?

[Supers0nic]

Dude. I’ve got lots of pics.

A couple of the shots are the moldy mess I found her in.
The aft cabin was accessible only thru a tiny hatch and was virtually useless. I expanded the cabin and gave it a real door and reconfigured the cockpit. Now it’s very useable.