For Sale: Westsail 32, new engine, $15k

[Cheechako]

yeah... there's a rub.. it's in Ketchikan (SE)Alaska. It would make a nice trip south next summer if you live in the PNW though! Saw it on Seattle Craig'slist yesterday. Brand new Vetus Diesel. http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/3511848096.html No relation to me.....just thought I'd pass it along for the adventurous.

[SkiprJohn]

I saw that one a week or two ago and passed it on to my friend in Cathlamet and told him I'd help him make the trip if he got it.

[Cheechako]

Yeah, Ketchikan on south could be very nice this summer....

[SailingChance]

Great boat. I'm sure you'll make a quick sale. Wish I could take her on.

[GaryMayo]

Looks rode hard and put up wet.

Everything ages faster in the winter.

Thanks for posting this. Seeing the images of the compainonway gave me an epiphany.

[ElGatoGordo]

That would be a great project!

[S/V Alchemy]

Not sure if what looks like a plywood pop-top for the companionway is a good idea or a hazard.

Pretty sure putting the sails on in winter and leaving them uncovered is not a great idea.

She looks worn, but maybe not done. The newness of the diesel is irrelevent if the prop, shaft, stern tube, stuffing box, batteries, bilge pump(s), wiring, seacocks, hoses, clamps and fuel system is original. I would have some questions as to ongoing maintenance. Dirt and paint are easily addressed, but holes in the boat blocked by a chunk of greenish metal isn't something you want to discover after you push off into the fjord.

I do know it's not an area nor a time of year I'd want to deal with cruddy fuel, corrosion in the wires or tanks, or 20 year old flares. The amount of gear I'd want to bring to address any potential shortcomings I might find on site would exceed my body weight...not to mention the highest grade of weather gear">foul weather gear you'd want in a North Pacific winter...

The problem with this "deal" is that sailing out is about the only practical choice, but determining if the boat is safe to sail would require a survey, which might reveal all sorts of things that can't be fixed easily in such a location.

If you could ship it to a yard in southern B.C. or Washington, you'd have something, but I have no clue how expensive or feasible that is.

But for the adventurous type, it may be worth a look-see. The Westsail 32 is small, overweight, slow and antique, but it retains a reputation for allowing its crews to arrive alive, and author Ferenc Mate is a good place to learn about them. It does look fairly dirty, however. I'd have a hoard of questions, and the state of the diesel would be among the least of them. You can fix a diesel or even do without. You can't turn back time in a Ketchikan parking lot without a bag of money, a ton of skill and access to a nice, large chandlery and rigger service.

[endoftheroad]

Alot of self done mods here, question for their integrity is of first concern.
The home made pipe boomkin makes me nervous.
This boat may not move as fast as the owner assumes.
It definately is a project.

[Cheechako]

BTW, does anyone know whose engine Vetus is using?

[endoftheroad]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

BTW, does anyone know whose engine Vetus is using?

volvo i think.

[S/V Alchemy]

Then it's a great engine until you need to buy a spare made by a unionized, fully pensioned Swede. Not that there's anything wrong with the Swedes. They actually pay for the social choices they've made...but it makes their manufactures very expensive.

[Cheechako]

Yeah, I really wonder if Volvo is any worse than Yanmar's ridiculous prices....?

[triton274]

I believe the Vitus is based on a Mitsubishi engine...

[Cheechako]

Probably a Vetus, subcontracted to Volvo, subcontracted to Mitsubishi, subcontracted to taiwan....

[Outwest34au]

"Vetus' only 3-cylinder engine, the 27hp M3.28 is based on the dependable Mitsubishi L-series block "

"The Mitsubishi-based M4.15 (33hp) and M4.17 (42hp) are top sellers:"

"Deutz-based DT4.70 (68hp) and DT4.84 (85hp)"

Mitsubishi and Deutz appear to be the base units.