Run don’t walk away

Posted by Lumpy-Sea-388@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 19 comments

He wanted 1500 for it with the trailer. I passed. Pearson ensign. Essentially the same boat as a cape Dory typhoon.

The rudder was delaminating. He had it in the water last year. I could not see inside the cockpit as it was on the trailer and no ladder.

I don’t need a project that badly. :)

[-]

Tamarack205@reddit

Ensigns are great boats. Definitely needs cosmetics but would be an excellent family daysailer with minimal effort

[-]

porttack@reddit

Those are pretty neat old boats. Based on the bit we can see that one doesn't look too bad.

Probably asking a bit much though. And can probably find one in better shape for less hassle.

[-]

Raneynickelfire@reddit

That's not really actually that bad. Most of that is cosmetic, and that rudder isn't falling apart anytime soon - and is an easy fix.

This isn't that bad for those of us who know what we're looking at.

[-]

Quick-Sherbert-2744@reddit

Both the Typhoon and Ensign are Carl Alberg designs. I love my Typhoon and Ensigns are great too. Wonderful boats.

[-]

dickwae@reddit

FYSA, an ensign is not even close to "essentially the same boat" as a typhoon.

[-]

Put_The_Phone_Away@reddit

I owned an Ensign and a Corinthian for a while.. if you were inclined to make a small, simple, classic whole again you could do way worse.

Simple, strong, good sailing little keel boats.

[-]

Just-Smart-Enough@reddit

Classic boat. I'd pay that. I can build a new rudder blade in a weekend.

[-]

Unfair_Cry6808@reddit

Looks pretty sound to me. What are the sails like?

[-]

Ensigns are great day sailers and will hold a bunch of friends comfortably in the cockpit. We have a decent fleet at the boatyard I keep my Cape Dory at in Maine. I’m planning on downsizing to one at the end of this season. But most of the ones I see are pretty well cared for..,

[-]

LintWad@reddit

There are some very active Ensign racing fleets in some select spots. Depending on where this is located, this would easily be snapped up for $1,500 (particularly with a trailer -- even if it's a yard trailer). But outside of those areas.... there's little motivation to take on such a project.

[-]

Current-Brain-1983@reddit

There's about 800lbs of lead in that keel. $.45 lb for scrap lead around my parts. Trailer might be worth something.

I learned keelboat sailing in these. Big cockpit, tiny cabin and the cockpit sole was wooden grates. Solid glass hulls are built like tanks, great for crashing into docks. We did all out docking under sail so beginners were hard on boats.

[-]

Strenue@reddit

This is the size boat I’d take on as a free project and put $20k and two years of hobby work in my garage to restore to Bristol condition. Then take it to classic boat shows and show it off.

[-]

Anstigmat@reddit

People with boats in this condition need to accept that the best they will do is for someone to just take it off their hands. I have spent so much moronic blood sweat tears and money into a small boat. I will never get my investment back...but at least I have a boat that is viable to sell.

[-]