Kelly Peterson 44 Project

[Kevin84]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

Just to note. It may be that the OP does not want to finance a boat for personal reasons. I have financed one boat and found it not a bad way to go. It's always nice not having an extra payment in your life but sometimes it can buy you what you need. If you could buy a KP in moderately good condition that just needed upgrades and had good sails and engine, it might be the way to go. Perhaps living on it while working on it could be a dream come true.

Actually, that's exactly what I was planning on if I but her. I'm already a full time live aboard, so making one to go to the boat is not an issue.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Kevin84

Actually, that's exactly what I was planning on if I but her. I'm already a full time live aboard, so making one to go to the boat is not an issue.

...Then I am assuming you'll sell your current boat, if buying the KP.

[Tim R.]

Originally Posted by gjordan

Kevin, and anyone else looking at KP44s or similar center cockpit boats. The KP44 is a well layed out boat EXCEPT FOR the emergency tiller. The steering cables are long and difficult to replace at sea. The emergency tiller has to be installed at the rudderhead that is hidden under the master cabin bunk. You have to toss all of the bedding,mattreses,plywood etc out of the way and put the tiller on. You are then in the aft cabin with no visibility,and unless you have mounted a compass just for this purpose, you have no idea what course you are on. I suspect that even the toughest old salt would be reaching for the barf bucket in short order. I never came up with an idea that didnt involve a lot of complications to get your steering up to deck level, so that you could see where you were going. I think this is a common problem on center cockpit boats.____Another 2 cents worth._____Grant.

Good reason to have a below deck AP attached directly to the quadrant and/or windvane.

[hellosailor]

Another voice in the choir: When I hear "rebedding" I worry. Rebedding stanchions or deck hardware to any extent means there has been water pentetration, and probably at the chainplates into the bulkheads or hull as well. Often extensively behind trim. And especially if the owner hasn't been aboard in a year, that means a year of rotting.

Check and recheck, because if you get into serious deck issues, that can be an incredibly expensive job, more than the cost of a similar boat with no issues. Or a real mess to DIY.

And the fresh bottom paint has to aise a flag, you don't know if that was good maintenance, or hiding a blister job. Needs to be inspected, and confirmed in writing by the seller.

I hope you found a bargain, but they are rare.

[Celestialsailor]

My HR has the rudder shaft coming up middle of the aft cabin bunk right where you head is, and terminating above deck. Although inconvenient, it allows for some positive options, such as emergency tiller of which I made mine permanent and for the convenience of a wind vane. My wheel steering is hydraulic which has a lot of plus's over cable.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Another voice in the choir: When I hear "rebedding" I worry. Rebedding stanchions or deck hardware to any extent means there has been water pentetration, and probably at the chainplates into the bulkheads or hull as well. Often extensively behind trim. And especially if the owner hasn't been aboard in a year, that means a year of rotting.

Check and recheck, because if you get into serious deck issues, that can be an incredibly expensive job, more than the cost of a similar boat with no issues. Or a real mess to DIY.

And the fresh bottom paint has to aise a flag, you don't know if that was good maintenance, or hiding a blister job. Needs to be inspected, and confirmed in writing by the seller.

I hope you found a bargain, but they are rare.

Yep, when I see a boat listed saying "fresh bottom job" I get pretty nervous about it. I once asked a broker to have the seller sign a document I made up stating there have been no blisters on the hull during his ownership "except as noted below"... that went over like a lead balloon.
and on the rebedding comment... I made the same note earlier.

[sabray]

Saw the pics. The cap rail is pretty rough. The design is a bit different at the hull deck joint then most boats. The deck turns up and is the inner part of bulwarks. The hull is the outer section. Between is ply that has not been glassed over as it meets the cap.. Bang head moticon. Add to the list you might need to pull the caps and glass this idiot build design. The genny sheet track bolts down through the cap through the filler into the deck. These bolts are 7" 5/16 I think hard to source and cost. Pain in the ass to undo. The joint itself should be fine as its glassed together. The chainplates being internal had no compression seal. Leaking destroys the cheap bolts. Even if the plates look good bag them they will be crap where you can't see. Bolts will be toast. Think the price is very enticing but you need to see the boat and be very open to walking away. I love mine but some of the build quality is just dumb. See if there is a maintenance record. Looks like there has been some new rigging so some of these knowns may have been addressed. Also though old it may be that bad crap gas been replaced. Seeing the panel I can tell you forget the electric it needs replacing.

[sabray]

And I hated the cockpit grate. When I bought mine the pedestal was flopping around. The cockpit sole was saturated rot. So I rebuilt it cambered the sole and tweaked it. Put reinforcing stainless backers in.

[lifeofreilly57]

OK, so your intent on re-furbing this boat, if it is all you think it is. Go for it. As for your fiance', make sure she knows what is in store for her. My first wife didn't fare well with boat projects ,never chipped a nail, she just wanted to know when they were finished. Oh well.
My second wife ( I never expected to do it again) started dating me when I was in the process of completely stripping the bottom of my boat to gelcoat to barrier coat and repaint it. She worked side by side with me stripping and scraping it, a miserable job, she even worked on it alone on one of her days off when I was at work, she's a keeper and a rare catch and damn good looking too. Since then she's worked through every boat project with me. If you think your fiance' is capable of that kind of commitment your a lucky man, if not you may be looking for a dog for companionship halfway through the refit (keep the boat).
By the way, I got the boat and the dog in the first go round (score!), my ex sure did miss the dog.
Good luck, I hope the boat is all you think it is and it works out for you, many people start projects, few finish them, if you do you will be joining a very small club but will gain the knowledge and sense of accomplishment that goes with it. Nothing is impossible, it just depends on how deep your resolve runs.
Cheers!
Kelly Peterson's a fine piece.

[sabray]

What? The op asked about info on the boat and is hesitant. Where you get his intent attitude is made up. At 35 k its worth checking with a very dubious eye. Are you familiar with these boats? Or just have an opinion based in your reading Internet postings

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by sabray

What? The op asked about info on the boat and is hesitant. Where you get his intent attitude is made up. At 35 k its worth checking with a very dubious eye. Are you familiar with these boats? Or just have an opinion based in your reading Internet postings

Hey...Whats with all the hardlines. This is the Internet...the OP asked for opinions not just KP soapbox spouters.

[Kevin84]

Ok, so I got more info on her. One of get fuel tanks has been replaced with a new fiberglass tank. I also found out some other maintenance work that has been done. I spoke to a surveyor and he actually is familiar with the vessel since it's dock at the same Marina he is. I've put in an offer on her pending survey results. No, I still haven't seen her. Doing this intentionally. I'll look at her when I have the survey done so I don't fall in love with the boat and get tempted to disregard the survey. And before anyone asks, yes I have Vernon Peterson 44s before and like the boat.

[Everestmaritime]

Hey Kevin,

Last fall I viewed the boat on behalf of a guy in Hawaii. I was onboard for an hour and took 80 photos of her that can be seen on my Flickr account:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1003140...th/9515631317/

She is very rough. Just a few thinks that need to be done are; remove pilot house, redo decks , remove and re-bed all through deck fittings and windows, replace wiring, etc etc.

Dan

[Tim R.]

Originally Posted by Kevin84

Ok, so I got more info on her. One of get fuel tanks has been replaced with a new fiberglass tank. I also found out some other maintenance work that has been done. I spoke to a surveyor and he actually is familiar with the vessel since it's dock at the same Marina he is. I've put in an offer on her pending survey results. No, I still haven't seen her. Doing this intentionally. I'll look at her when I have the survey done so I don't fall in love with the boat and get tempted to disregard the survey. And before anyone asks, yes I have Vernon Peterson 44s before and like the boat.

Wow. You are brave. So you will pay for a survey without even knowing whether or not you want the boat. I hope it works out in your favor.

[Kevin84]

Thanks for the additional info. May have to retract that offer.