MacGregorSailors.com

Well, I am back. Did you miss me?

I bought a 1972 MacGregor and planned to refurbish/rebuild. I then came across a 1975 Seafarer 22 that I thought I could buy for parts for the Mac. Once I got a look at the SF22 I decided it was in much better shape than the Mac and to sell the Mac. As I started to clean up the SF22 I spotted an attempted repair and began to investigate closer. It turns out that the SF22's back is broke. The fin flexes vertically about 1 to 2 inches!



I am thankful for the following; 1. I bought the SF22 for $400 which included a nice trailer and a 9.5 Johnson OB so my cash outlay was minimal. 2. I figure the SF22 will yield about a thousand dollars worth of parts need/wanted for the Mac. 3. I can salvage the 800 pounds of lead from the SF22 which should be worth around $300. 4. I can sell the trailer for around $200-$500.

I learned a huge lesson here and thankfully with out losing money to add insult to injury. I thought I had bought a boat that was in all appearances, a nice, sea worthy ship. Thankfully before investing in repairs, paint, elbow grease etc., this issue was found out! So.... back to the Mac!

It's stories like this that makes me glad that I have a friend who is a professional marine surveyor, and who will work for free (well, almost free, if you count a 6 pk of beer)

Glad to hear that your cash outlay was minimal. It could have been worse.

-Roger

72Mac22 wrote:As I started to clean up the SF22 I spotted an attempted repair and began to investigate closer. It turns out that the SF22's back is broke. The fin flexes vertically about 1 to 2 inches!

What exactly does this mean? My understanding is that fiberglass is very easy to repair. The boat looks good otherwise.

Definitely repairable, but who knows how long such a repair would last. To do it right, you'd really have to remove the broken structure within the hull and replace it, including any wood and/or fiberglass; and you'd probably have to fortify the repair as well. Definitely do-able, though. Is it worth the work? You can get your money back out of it (and then some) if you sell just the outboard and the trailer.

If you needed the outboard, a running 9.5hp outboard is well worth the $400. I'd say your biggest concern is how to dispose of the hull.

Keep the motor, and I'll give ya 400 bucks for the boat and trailer. I love those little boats. I can fix it ( I am serious , send me a PM if you want to sell )

....and may the person who sold you the SF22, undoubtedly with knowledge of this issue, be blessed with a string of continuous transmission failures on their next 22 cars......all of them >500 miles from home.

Catigale wrote:....and may the person who sold you the SF22, undoubtedly with knowledge of this issue, be blessed with a string of continuous transmission failures on their next 22 cars......all of them >500 miles from home.

LOL

RussT... It means that on the surface there is a crack and if that is all it was it would indeed be a simple fiberglass repair. This crack like all forms of damage should be cause to investigate further to determine the cause of the damage. In this case it turns out that the underlying structure, (Keel) has been damaged significantly and most likely is broken as evidenced by the fin flexing in all directions. Your right, the rest of the boat is in excellent shape which makes this outcome a shame on one hand but a great deal on the other as I was truly needing parts for the MacGregor and this purchase saved me about $2500 in parts purchases. I can use just about every part including the motor for the MacGregor.

The trailer is listed on Craigs List. I plan to salvage the lead from the SF22 and sell for between $300-$400. I should be able to get between $200 - $500 for the trailer. I am not too worried about coming out ahead on this whole deal since my initial outlay was so low. I am just thankful I bought this boat looking for parts, not for a boat or I may well have paid quite a bit more based on looks alone.

I have discussed the issues with the seller and he has agreed to refund some money and he seems very sincere about not knowing the extent of the damage. This boat was given to him several years ago and he is not an avid sailor so I tend to believe his ignorance concerning the damage. I hold no ill feeling toward him at all. I will try to post some pics of the actual damage as I open her up.

Chad

72Mac22 wrote:I have discussed the issues with the seller and he has agreed to refund some money and he seems very sincere about not knowing the extent of the damage. This boat was given to him several years ago and he is not an avid sailor so I tend to believe his ignorance concerning the damage. I hold no ill feeling toward him at all. I will try to post some pics of the actual damage as I open her up.
Chad

Refund money? I would feel guilty asking for money back. An as is where is purchase and the boat is still worth at least $400 with the issue.

grady wrote:

72Mac22 wrote:I have discussed the issues with the seller and he has agreed to refund some money and he seems very sincere about not knowing the extent of the damage. This boat was given to him several years ago and he is not an avid sailor so I tend to believe his ignorance concerning the damage. I hold no ill feeling toward him at all. I will try to post some pics of the actual damage as I open her up.
Chad

Refund money? I would feel guilty asking for money back. An as is where is purchase and the boat is still worth at least $400 with the issue.

Its called risk mitigation and it was his suggestion not mine. Just because I think I can get my money back out of this doesn't mean I will. I may end up with a $400 yard ornament. If I do indeed make my money back I plan to make it a point to thank the seller in some way for his integrity (gift card). I don't feel guilty at all.

mmmmmmmmm!
I learnt a big lesson out of the threat too, and it's not what you think.
Cheers
Phillip

I hereby absolve the PO of early transmission failure and replace with it Kharmic Goodness....

I had a 1972 22 Seafarer back in 1976 that I bought used. I loved the boat and had a mooring in Bass River, Cape Cod.
Sailed all Cape Cod and the Islands and once took it to Block Island.
Boat sailed very well and loved the large companion way hatch with the vent duck aft of mast.
Owned it for 3 years and bought a Pearson Alberg 35.
I was looking at old pictures when you posted and only found 2 and that was in Martha's Vineyard in Menemsha Harbor.
I thought the boat was built well as a production boat and after two years ownership they came out with the 26 ft.
Today it is a 38 year old boat and probably served it's previous owners well.
Dave

72Mac22 wrote:Well, I am back. Did you miss me?

I bought a 1972 MacGregor and planned to refurbish/rebuild. I then came across a 1975 Seafarer 22 that I thought I could buy for parts for the Mac. Once I got a look at the SF22 I decided it was in much better shape than the Mac and to sell the Mac. As I started to clean up the SF22 I spotted an attempted repair and began to investigate closer. It turns out that the SF22's back is broke. The fin flexes vertically about 1 to 2 inches!



I am thankful for the following; 1. I bought the SF22 for $400 which included a nice trailer and a 9.5 Johnson OB so my cash outlay was minimal. 2. I figure the SF22 will yield about a thousand dollars worth of parts need/wanted for the Mac. 3. I can salvage the 800 pounds of lead from the SF22 which should be worth around $300. 4. I can sell the trailer for around $200-$500.

I learned a huge lesson here and thankfully with out losing money to add insult to injury. I thought I had bought a boat that was in all appearances, a nice, sea worthy ship. Thankfully before investing in repairs, paint, elbow grease etc., this issue was found out! So.... back to the Mac!

Before:




After:

I salvaged just about every last washer from the Seafarer, broke out the Sawzall and hauled the rest to the dump. The keel was in terrible shape and considering it weighs around 900 pounds, it was really just a matter of time and a little stress and it would have departed the hull. I tried to get some pics after cutting away the sole but they didn't show the damage very well.

Now its time to get about the business of the Mac 22 restore.

RIP, little boat..