T&T: BlueWater 42

[bob Austin]

Mike,
Place to compare specs on these boats is at Power Boat Buyer's guide.

I am fairly familiar with the Blue Water 42 (and its other incarnations).  A
friend owned one and even in the early 80's it had considerable dry rot in the
plywood sections which make up much of the flat surfaces of the areas above
the hull.  The boats built up until the early 80's were basically plywood,
with a layer of glass bonded with polyester (not a perticularly good adhesive)
over the plywood.  The windows and railngs often leaked.  The Chinese didn't
understand the importance of sealing end grain plywood.  At that time, this
boat had to have most of the portguese bridge and the adjacent deck replaced.

A lot would depend on the specific condition of this boat--and I would
certainly encourage a good survey.  The boat seems like a bargin--and most
likely there aer some problems hiding---but for the right person--these can be
fixed.  There was another one for sale, at a similar price in the Sac Delta a
year or so ago--didn't sell fast.

As far as the layout--look very carefully at the foreward stairs--they are
absolutely dangerous--waiting for a fall!  The only really safe access
foreward is thru the master stateroom.  (putting nonskid and hand railings
would improve the stair case, but not get rid of the narrow treads and
curves).  There is a full beam main saloon--OK, as long as you realize its
limitations.

There looks to have been a lot of electrical work done on the boat--but some
is not to ABYC standards from the photos.  The teak is painted out (probably a
good thing).

If the boat surveyed well, and you were confident with the decks, cabin house
and fuel tanks (should have been replaced on a boat this age--maybe even ready
for the second set!).

Good luck!

Bob Austin