...To be honest, I never thought she'd stick around long enough to get to the 'grand plan' let alone want to join in! We talked about a 5 year plan to buy a bigger boat and move aboard. That was about five years ago... then apprehension set in and I couldn't get her to commit to that time table. We kept pushing it and adjusting it, so... I resigned myself to the fact that I'd be sailing the 'Moose' in my local waters and enjoying all the work and MONEY I just put into her.
In May, we put our house on the market... intent on moving closer to big water. About a month ago we had the 'talk' about the 'plan' again... Only this time... Mel was completely honest with me about being so attached to her stuff. Then she said, 'I'm not sure why I'm attached to all the stuff since it's been in storage for the last four years', and then... she said, 'let's go.'
Now you can imagine my distrust... not elation... skepticism? Yes. I didn't want to be forcing her into this but since that time, we've had every indication from the universe that it was the right decision. Little signs here and there all over the place. My boss came into my office this week and told me if I was going to continue with the company in 2012, I'd have to take a very large pay cut. One I just don't see myself taking... especially after taking one last year. Nope... it's time to go. The ONLY bad thing about all of this? 'Moose' is too small for me, the girl, and the dog. And I'm crushed. I've thought of every possible scenario to keep her. Store her on a trailer, keep her at the club, take her up to my brother's house in NJ... but it's all too silly. She'll just got to shit and that's not fair. It breaks my heart to say this but my boat is now for sale.
Now the details: $12,500.00
She is a 1970 Tartan 27. Designed by the legendary design team of Sparkman & Stephens and Bill Shaw. She is 27 ft. over-all with an 8'-6" beam. She is a centerboard sloop that draws 3'-6" with the board up and over 6' with the board down. She weighs a hefty 7800 lbs. Her mast is 38 ft. above the water (I say 40' to make room for the tri-color light and vhf antenna). This boat has been completely re-done from stem to stern and now I shall list as much as I possibly can without looking at all my receipts: The original Atomic 4 engine has been replaced (1994) with a Yanmar 2GM20F diesel with about 900 hours on it. She runs and starts perfectly. New 135% on roller furler, 110% in great shape on furler and a custom made heavy air, full-luff blade that I've never used. Dodger with detatchable bimini. New Deck Core, New Stainless Deck drains and hoses, New Chain Plate Knees with chain plates bolted to the OUTSIDE of the knee. An original "weakness" on the original boats. I used bi-axial 1706 cloth and West Systems Epoxy for all the work. New Stainless steel nuts and bolts throughout, New Trojan batteries, New Electrical wiring with Tinned Marine Wire, New plumbing with pressure Hot/Cold water and 6 Gal. hot water heater, New Electrical Panel ($400.00), New LED lights inside and out, All Nav lights are now LED (except Tri-color), Coamings and every piece of deck hardware was removed, over-drilled and filled with epoxy and then replaced with custom mahogany backing plates, port lights removed and re bed, New Bronze thru hulls and seacocks and cockpit drains, monel gas tank, auto-tiller, standing rigging was replaced ten years ago, Harken blocks and traveler, winches removed, rebuilt and re bed with backing plates, leaky ice box removed and the hatch has been glassed in (a hazard at sea), custom nav shelf built where the ice box was, propane two-burner stove, all interior teak has been sanded and re varnished, cabinets and doors have new hinges and pulls, New head, hoses, holding tank and Y valves, Macerator and vents, custom canvas cover for the ENTIRE boat. Keeps the snow off and the teak maintenance down (a little), 5 jack stands, conduit in the mast for all the wires to run through and not chafe or slap the mast, 25 lb. Bruce anchor with chain and rope rode, front and rear hatches rebuilt, newer interior cushions, forced air heat, paraffin wax lanterns, winch handles, blocks, spare parts... I could go on for days. If you're interested in these boats at all, I can assure you, you will not find one in better shape. Most Tartan 27's on the market go for between 5K and 7K. I'm asking $12, 500.00. I'm pretty firm on that. I'd love for her to go to a knowledgeable sailor who will maintain all that I've done. I have several more photos of all stages along the way so if you'd like to see more, just ask. Thanks for looking.
