She’s been on the market for a few months, and I am not giving up, but pretty much all the cool kids have come over to have a look, and I don’t know who’s left to pounce.
A former Marine came by to check her out as a project for Wounded Warriors. He had done a lot of research on this line and this vessel. It turns out the original design for S-28 Hull #1 was a gaff-rigged ketch. A very small one, if you ask me, but then I am not an expert, merely a fledgling sailing class girl with a sander.
You could go Laser on this rig, but with 8,900 pounds of ballast? 28’ LOA is too big to be small and too small to be big. I understand the design challenge. The line eventually achieved its most popular model with the Spencer 35, a larger cabin, and just more room for everyone. They sell for $40K and sail the ocean blue.
And how many sailors does it take to work a gaff-rigged ketch? This custom yacht was built for a married couple. As a sloop, it can be sailed by two. As a ketch, you’d pretty much have to take two additional adults on your vacation, and are we really going to sleep four in 28’ for an ocean crossing?
It seems better to have a party boat in the Puget Sound.
Another gentleman came to see her but with many tales of woeful luck in having his vessel attacked by what can only be called Pirates in the Puget Sound. He had her on a mooring ball in Port Townsend. They put a big gash on the rudder and sent her to shore. I saw photos of these very events. She was a handsome vessel. I hope he gets her fixed.
A gentleman down at the bar sent over a drink to help things along.
In the end, I needed to get out of Issaquah. It was just too suburban. Now I’m back in the neighborhood.
So, for the lack of something else to do, I am going to get something done, while also not too much. It doesn’t do to wear yourself out over a boat.
There’s always more with boats.
If the right buyer finds out about this vessel, they can come have a look . . but I’m not holding my breath.
