Chrysler Sailors Forum

Hi Folks, i'm going to look at a C26 this weekend. it's not far from work. I don't know its age or condition.

Please describe some things to look for to determine weather or not to buy.

Aside from a hole in the hull, what would make this a bad purchase.

thanks, Dave

Try taking some pics and posting them here, maybe some C26 owners could comment on them for you.

EE hit it on the money!

Only thing I might ad is to take a rag and slide it down the standing rigging. If there are miniscule fishook type snags the rag will not slide nicely. That indicates standing rigging replacement is necessary! DO NOT USE A BARE HAND sliding down the stays and shrouds. You will slice it up badly if there are issues!

I'd also look for compression and stress fractures inside at the mast step. This would indicate a roughly sailed boat, maybe a boat that was raced and stressed regularly. Not that that a bad thing, just something to be aware of when comparing boats!

Lastly, you may want to consider a proffessional surveyor. To me that depends on the price of the boat, your personal experience and confidence in being able to spot possible issues.

Around here a surveyor is around 10 bucks a foot. They won't guarantee no problems but they will help identify potential gotcha's and provide a sense of overall condition of the boat.

Scott

Welcome Dave!

All those are good things to look for, but even a hole in the hull can be repaired!

Looking at a 30 y/o boat and not finding any of those things wrong would be your lucky day for sure... So consider the asking price, shop some on line to see what is available. Realistically consider how much work the boat will be and what that will cost, then according to some, double the cost and triple the time to repair it. Most of us here have done the work ourselves and can help with the how to stuff. Don't fail to consider spending more on another boat that is in better shape and ready to go.

All the stuff you find wrong with the boat can be bargaining chips. You can then make an offer and feel good about it. The Chrysler 26 is an awesome boat that when ship shape will give you plenty of enjoyment down the road.

Good luck and as has been stated, PICTS!

Billy

good luck and welcome....

if she's sitting on a trailer.... I will gladly offset your cost and buy the trailer... and welcome... I am in NNJ/NYC area!

Dave as far as age, look on the starboard outside of the transom for the Hull ID number. It will start with "CBC". The year will be at the end of that number". CBCxxxx79C would indicate a 1979.

OK,

Let me give you some "dispassionate" advice BEFORE you get "hooked."

We are all Chrylser sailors, it is in our blood, but still ....

GET A SURVEY, GET A SURVEY.

There are many "hurricane boats " out there and Chryslers are so cheap and old that maintenence ( excpet for this crowd's boats) has long been delayed, most repairs are beyond economical value of the boat AND there are many , many cheap and younger ( better?) boats avail. out there esp. now in tough times.... it is hard to put a few thou into a old boat when you see much nicer younger fresher modern boats better fittted out going for real cheap....but I Love my boat...don't know why..

Thanks for all your advice. I did go to look at the boat yesterday afternoon. I was not able to get up into the cockpit or cabin though. Need to bring my ladder.

Hull appears to be in good condition. Gelcoat is in good shape. Appears to have many layers of bottom paint. i spotted some rotted wood in the splashwell but it seems very minor. There is plenty of caulk around the windows. Galvanized tandem trailer is also in good shape.

i'll need to make an appointment to thoroughly inspect the boat's topside. I have my checklist ready.

boat is a '79 C26...a four stroke 9.9 goes with it. asking price is $4500.

Alan, my gut tells me that this is not the right time to invest in this project as i still have three young children who are very busy. However, my wife and i are teachers and we enjoy a ten week vacation every summer so i should be able to find time to use it, right??? Perhaps single day trips on the hobie might be the best sailing i can get for a while.

thanks again folks
Dave

i would love to have another chrysler sailor in the tri-state area ( the only other one I know is FranS!) so I would love for you to join our small regional fleet.... but if you do decide to pass...let me know I would like to take a lookie ( I have a c-26 too) and check out the trailer. they are great boats and with that type of vacation, and your proximity to all the great south jersey boating facilites I would get a real bluewater cruiser , rent the house and car and really cruise long range....

NYC, I do all my sailing in the Delaware Bay. The swing keel is perfect because the bay is so shallow in areas, especially entering and exiting the marina. i'll be sure to keep you posted. by the way, the boat was last registered in 2002. Can't tell for sure but it may have been kept indoors because it's fairly clean.

NYCSAILOR wrote:i would love to have another chrysler sailor in the tri-state area ( the only other one I know is FranS!) so I would love for you to join our small regional fleet.... but if you do decide to pass...let me know I would like to take a lookie ( I have a c-26 too) and check out the trailer. they are great boats and with that type of vacation, and your proximity to all the great south jersey boating facilites I would get a real bluewater cruiser , rent the house and car and really cruise long range....

Actually last summer we spotted two other c-22's in the Western LI Sound. One had a family with tweens on board, they were headed east, navy blue hull. The other had an older couple on board, man had a german accent.

My C26 came from N.J. it is a 1979 on a gal. steal trailer. It has an old chrysler out board. I payed 2300 an took the boat to Michigan, an have been working on it ever sence. If you are to be a day sailer, look at the C20.