Identify this sad old boat...

[Dr. Moreau]

My wife and I were wandering around the Alameda, CA marina, looking at all of the boats. We were looking around seeing if we could see any for sale, since the marina does not have secure gates.

We only saw two boats, both completely overpriced and in need of lots of work for what the owner wanted.

There was one boat in particular that stuck out, we both really liked it even though it literally was covered in bird droppings and missing a mast (a important part of a sailboat, right?). There was no ad for it, and for all I know it is not for sale.

One guy said the owners were some electronics company who wanted $60K for it, I doubt anyone with $60K would by this old girl. The boat looks like it has been at the marina for well over 2-3 years, even the dock line has barnacles growing on it.

We were wondering what kind of boat it is? We liked the design from what we saw, but I wanted to learn more about the company and other sailboats by them. The only significant name plate on it, is a big 'W' on the front. It looks to be between 38 and 43 feet long. We are thinking it may be a Wauquiez...

Does anyone know the best way to approach the owner about buying it? How helpful would the harbormaster be in tracking down the owner?

On a unrelated note....

I need to gloat since I'm posting here.. After a intensive week of training on the Bay and a weekend studying the material by US Sailing, my wife and I are officially Basic Keelboat certified. We are taking Basic Cruising in a week, and Bareboat Cruising later this week.. we can not wait to hit the open ocean in 2010.

[SkiprJohn]

Aaron,
I can't tell you what boat it is but congratulations to both of you for completing one of the courses. Good luck on the other two. You should be really proud.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[GordMay]

See Good Old Boat magazine’s Boat Identifiers:

Cove Stripes:
Good Old Boat - Boat Identifiers

Sail Insignias:
Good Old Boat - Owners' Associations

[Joli]

Not sure what it is but all the deck gear has been stripped off and the teak is popping bungs. Lotta work there for sure.

Congrats on passing your class.

[gonesail]

looks like a westwind 38. they made them without teak decks also.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by gonesail

looks like a westwind 38. they made them without teak decks also.

The Westwinds, I've seen, didn't have the "W" along the cove stripe.

[svnakia]

We lived in Grand Marina, Alameda from 1991 to about 1996. That boat was hauled out at the yard there near the marina most of that time. I think the only thing I ever saw done to it was them adding those stainless window frames. Deffinately a boat that's been being 'worked on' for a loooong time.

John
S/V NAKIA
Web Log of Sailing Vessel NAKIA

[speedoo]

Optimistically speaking, maybe the deck gear was taken off (and is now stored somewhere) in prep. for stripping the teak decks and redoing whatever is underneath. If there are regular gelcoat decks underneath with no water intrusion, it might not be too bad of a job.

$60k? Maybe if they finish the refit and get her completely ready to go, with a good clean survey. Big maybe.

[Dr. Moreau]

Thanks everyone for the replies, I looked at the Westwind 38 but I am not sure yet it is the right boat. There are some subtle differences, including the bow which is flat on the unknown boat but slightly rounded on the Westwind 38. They sure do look a like though, I'll investigate more tonight.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to find out who owns this boat? I called the Harbormaster or at least the Harbormaster's office administrator who told me she could not provide me the name of the owner (understandably) or the type of boat it is.

Am I wasting my time on this boat? The boat clearly is not for sale, but perhaps the owner is willing to entertain a offer?

[FrankZ]

Originally Posted by Dr. Moreau

Thanks everyone for the replies, I looked at the Westwind 38 but I am not sure yet it is the right boat. There are some subtle differences, including the bow which is flat on the unknown boat but slightly rounded on the Westwind 38. They sure do look a like though, I'll investigate more tonight.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to find out who owns this boat? I called the Harbormaster or at least the Harbormaster's office administrator who told me she could not provide me the name of the owner (understandably) or the type of boat it is.

Am I wasting my time on this boat? The boat clearly is not for sale, but perhaps the owner is willing to entertain a offer?

You should be able to get the office to pass on your contact information to the owner, then they can contact you if they are of a mind to do so.

[rodney_k]

It is a Westsail 39 designed by Bob Perry. Also built as Fairweather 39 and Fairweather Mariner 39.

[David M]

Yup, its clearly a W boat.

The "W" clearly stands for "without". Without mast, without hardware, etc etc. Given that, it clearly stands for "worthless". The W is clearly telling not to "waste" your money and to "withdraw" from the idea and to "walk" away immediately.

Just for future reference, the hull ID number on the transom identifies the manufacturer, the production number of the hull and the year the hull was made.

[Dr. Moreau]

Originally Posted by rodney_k

It is a Westsail 39 designed by Bob Perry. Also built as Fairweather 39 and Fairweather Mariner 39.

Congratulations, we have a winner.

44 Sundeck Hull 05 , Image gallery

If you look at the pictures, they have the same 'W' logo.

Good job Rodney. You have easily saved 2-3 years off of the tail end of my life.

[rodney_k]

No problem Aaron, glad I was able to help.