Thanks so much for your response Jim. This boat was in decent condition, but not Bristol by any means. She's been on the hard for a year. The current owner re-cored and rebedded 4 stanchions (sadly the work looks a bit rough but has solved the issue). cosmetic attention needed as usual but most of the systems were intact and in working order. The two cabin lights are permanently fogged and one cannot see out of them. The owner said it saves on curtains, but I would like to be able to see out of them. Not sure of the cost of replacement and rebedding those...never done that kind of work before. I was concerned about the engine though she started first turn on a cold 45F day on the coast of Maine, but it idled rough and would eventually drop out. Perhaps air in the line or governor needs adjusting? Not sure. My main concern is the raw water cooling as you mentioned. Hard finding parts for these old motors. Would a good descaling be a good idea or should I plan on taking the engine apart and replacing heads, etc...or which I have little to no experience doing! yikes!! Compression post and cabin top looked good, no crazing and still very solid upon hand inspection. I bounced around the deck, cockpit and cabin top and all seemed pretty sound. hull was in great shape, decent prop...a bit of a wobble at the cutlas bearing but not too bad. MSG tank reeked like death. Any suggestions for cleaning and sanitizing that? The V-Berth smelled like a sewer!! Owner said that the head barely worked, I asked if he had lubricated the seals and checked the pump, etc...he said he didn't think about ever doing that as he just day sails and goes over the rail when no one is looking. Good sail inventory. new bilge pump, new impeller and all new hoses on the engine. I have pics I could send. Sounds like you have your hands full for the next few months with projects. This one would be keeping me busy as well. Toe rail rebedding ....hmmm...what kind of a job is that??? Im getting scared!! lol The boat is priced to sell but it would still take a great deal of work I think, and I have to get it off the owners property which starts adding up. I got a quote for $450 to trailer it to the water. I do like the boat, I think it would be great in Casco Bay, Maine and a perfect little overnighter. I have three kids, one grown and two teen daughters. It's a good layout and size for them. Decisions...decisions.... Chris On Monday, September 24, 2018, 8:32:28 AM EDT, James Hesketh via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: Chris, I've had a '78 26 for 4 years now and it is the perfect boat for my current needs. We are the 3rd owner and it was well maintained throughout its life here in Miami where it gets year-round use in the heat and humidity of South Florida. When we first got it I had to replace the head on the engine -- a SB8 like yours and have the -- and clean out the raw-water cooling system. Parts were fairly easily available, but it took some time on the phone to locate them. The deck needs attention under the pulpit and stanchion basses and the toe rail could use a complete re-bedding, but a bead of calk along the deck stopped all leaks for now. The main hatch and handrails also needed removal and re-bedding. Also the wood in the lazerett needed some attention.
Those were all jobs that are pretty obvious and shouldn't be unexpected at its age. I have just recently discovered the mast step needs replacing -- first the door to the head started getting tight at the top, then I notices a little deformation on the tops of the bulkheads and, after a critical inspection, I discovered some flattening of the cabin to around the mast step. Further exploration led me the the mast step where I could feel some soft wood on its underside all the way forward where it joins the bulkhead under the king post. I've consulted with a rigger friend and we figure we can do the repair fairly easily and can probably do it without pulling the mast -- probably 2 or three days work, which I will do once it cools down here later this fall. I think the bulkheads will be OK, but might need some reinforcement -- I'll know once the step is done and the rigging tuned again. It's a lovey coat and I don't mind these projects considering what we paid for it. And figure we will get many, many, years of service once it's taken care of. Good Luck with your search. Jim HeskethC&C 26 WhisperCoconut Grove, FL Hi there, This weekend I’m heading up the coast to take a look at a 26 footer in very good condition with an inboard Yanmar SB8 (Which I believe may be the original engine)? As I inspect the boat, is there anything that I should be looking at in particular? Deck to Hall joints, chain plates, …? Anything that stands out with the 26 in particular? Ill do the usual inspection but was just wondering if there might be something in particular that may have plagued this design? Chris _______________________________________________ Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions. Each and every one is greatly appreciated. If you want to support the list - use PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
_______________________________________________ Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions. Each and every one is greatly appreciated. If you want to support the list - use PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray