[Rhodes22-list] Launched!

[TN Rhodey]

Tom,

It worked out great but the process was a little nerve wracking. I had 
noticed the boat on line months prior to making an offer. I kept seeing the 
same boat for sale but it was really way more than my cheap budget would 
allow. I finally contacted the seller and after a brief description and only 
about 5 photos I made an offer. The owner turned the offer down and didn't 
counter. I had to factor in gas, driving time, meals and hotel. Plus it was 
a boat sitting in a yard in the middle of winter. This was a divorce sale, 
the boats wasn't being used, and PO was paying storage fees. After a few 
weeks we got back on the phone and I made another offer. We got a deal!

My friends thought I was a little crazy when I was looking for someone to 
drive up with me. So we headed up to WI and noticed white stuff all over the 
ground once we got to IL. The roads were fine but I started to wonder if the 
boat would be covered with snow.....We got to the yard and they had actually 
hauled the boat indoors. They were pressure washing hull and working on the 
trailer lights. I was able to inspect the boat somewhat but I was not able 
to rig. I have been around sailboats pretty much my whole life and the best 
I could tell it looked like it was in great shape.

My 84 was a pretty basic model in need of a little TLC. PO said he never got 
electrical system to work. The hull was very faded blue, ok cabin and 
cockpit cushions. Hull was solid with new bottom paint. The IMF main and 125 
were never used Quantum sails. It also came with a one year old Harken 
furler, spinnaker, whisker pole, a beat 155 and ragged second IMF Main.

The electrical system was easy to fix, some fuses and new connections. I 
added 2 group 24 Walmart Marine Deep Cycle batteries at $38 each (still 
going strong after 4 plus years) and a dual 10 AMP Guest Charger. I had to 
replace pump for water tank (cheap). I went with a self priming pump as I 
had read complaints about original. Other than fixing soft spot under 
cockpit table base I haven't done anything else other than adding new sheets 
and halyard for the genny. The boat has lived up to all of my expectations.

I hope your deal worked out as well!

Wally

>From: Tatflies at cs.com
>Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
>Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Launched!
>Date: Mon, 3 Jul 2006 16:46:57 EDT
>
>Wally,
>
>I was beginning to believe that I was the only person to ever buy a boat
>based on photo's, emails and phone calls!
>
>So far, it was a wise choice for me and I trust for you as well.
>
>Tom Trenkle
>__________________________________________________
>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list