These posts are lumped together since we are catching up on the last few months.

 
The boat – Saturday, March 2, 2013  --  An Olympia guy, Glen, has his boat, a 14-foot C Lark, listed on the local sailing club pages.  Asking $1300.  I’m only a little disappointed when I see it; she’s rough.  Trailer’s rusty—of course.  Sails are new—even smell new.  Some previous owner has installed a Harken traveler, which required some new fiber glass reinforcement.  While he was at it (has to be a guy it’s too rough and nasty for a woman), he reinforced the edge on the seats. He didn’t bother to sand or paint. Barnacle marks dot the bottom paint.  The top side gel coat is very oxidized.  The rudder looks home-made, but maybe not, Clark’s first boats had a few homemade looking items.  I tell Glen, “I would have to see the mast stepped and rigging set up, but I need to tell you before you do all that work, that I would have to pay you substantially less than $1300.”



 

The deal --How much would you pay he asks?  I want the traveler and new sails; this could be a very fast boat.  It’s been a long time but I seem to remember the only thing better than racing is winning.  The appearance can be fixed so I said $800?  Glen was hoping to get $1000—he paid $1400—which is the price for a one-owner boat stored inside with no cosmetic issues and worn out sails.  I say $900.  He counters with fenders, extra line, reminds me that the standing rigging is even newer than the sails; we settle on $950—probably a bit generous, but I promised Patti that I would come home and vacuum.  I could probably say, “$800 call me if you get tired of waiting for a higher offer, but for 150 bucks I don’t want to wait.  I want to start racing in May, and there’s a lot of work to do.


 

Could be original--could be good homemade.