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Old 05-10-2019, 07:16 AM   #22
menzies
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City: Jacksonville
Vessel Name: SONAS
Vessel Model: Grand Alaskan 53
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,235
Beautiful looking vessel

Lots of good suggestions above already. Some thoughts, my opinion.

When you get the survey there is always room to negotiate on the price based on what is found. I tend to focus on items that you would expect to be fully functional even in that age boat, and be careful not to nickle and dime - it is a 50 year old boat. If the through-hulls need replacing, that can be asked for, if there are hairline cracks in the fiberglass (and thats all they are, then to be expected).

Your surveyor WILL find a list of things. Don't let that necessarily dissuade you. Talk to him one on one after the survey on his initial findings and then when you get the written report. Get engines surveyed as well, including engine and transmission fluid analysis. Some of what you will read may concern you but it is the surveyors job to be thorough, so he is going to note everything that he finds - ask him for his "seriousness" assessment. He may tell you to discuss one or three things with a specialist.

As to handling. I always ask folks moving from a single to twins if they remember the old Atari Tank game? You can still play this on line though not the same without the console paddles! That game will give you the overall idea of how twins will behave. Yes, you need to consider wind and current, but after a while you will actually work out how to use these to help you in most cases.

Walk your current dock. Is there someone on there who you can ask to help you bring the boat back and give you handling advice. Stop along the way is a good spot for "playing" with the boat, spinning it, turning in forward, reverse etc. Secondary benefit is having his sig other there to help your wife at the slip.

One other thought, though you probably already know this from your sail boat. Marine engines/transmissions are designed to be bumped in and out of gear, so don't be afraid to do so as often as you need. You don't need to aim your boat at the slip and ram it in in one move!

Talk to your marina and see if you can get a t-head to start with, laying alongside initially will help with your confidence.

All the best and enjoy her.
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