Advice Requested: I want to make an offer on CP-23 1984

[cfelle2]

I think I should add that I paid 3500 in January out in the Chicago suburbs.  I think that helped me get a better deal (Not a lot of people buying boats that time of year around here.).

[neosoul]

Here's my update: The last week and a half were a roller-coaster ride for me.
I had made my offer on the CP-23 on a Monday (7/8) and didn't hear back until the following Wednesday(7/10). Right before I made my offer I tried to contact the owner of the CP-23 directly via email, only because the boatyard was taking too long to get back to me. (A day would past, sometimes two days before getting a text or call back.) When I finally got the call back on my offer, instead of saying my offer was rejected or making a counter offer, I was told that the owner now wants to wait until Fall to sell his boat. This made no sense, so I sent an email to the owner. The owner said that it was his understanding the boat was indeed being sold and being sold to me and he would clear everything up and get to the bottom of this problem. I was very pumped up at this point - I am finally getting my boat, or I thought.

Now, to make things even more confusing, on the day I was told the boat was not being sold until the Fall, the boat was re-listed on Craigslist for $500 more than the asking price on the original listing I saw. Here's the new listing - http://maine.craigslist.org/boa/3926041823.html and here's the original listing http://maine.craigslist.org/boa/3848716168.html.

So here's where things REALLY get strange and take a real bizarre twist. The next thing I know I get a text from the boatyard. "Stop emailing the owner you are going to frig up the boat deal . . . there is a reason I'm handling the boat". Later that night, the owner finally gets back to me and tells me that he does not know why I am confused, and that he trusts the person in the boatyard implicitly because he has known him for years and he also happens to be married to his daughter.

Realizing my cause was hopeless at this point I stopped pressing the issue of obtaining this boat.

So that's my story. I have no other CP-23s lined up to look at, but my friend told me I should look at a 1979 Cape Dory 25 being sold across the bay from me in Sag Harbor for $3,500. I may take a look, but I really had my heart set on a Com-Pac.

[MacGyver]

Yeah, and as nice as a ComPac is, you dont need the dumb wackos that go with it.

Sounds like these are the kind of people that need to be taken to a dark alley and given a beat down........ And that boatyard should be shut down. Sounds like a boat yard up the lake from mine.

Definitely keep their number, and save them all in your phone as "DUMB IDIOTS CP23" So you know not to answer it.

Mac  (Dont worrry Neo, the right boat will come along, and it will place itself in your path soon. Dont settle..... not worth it.)

[Shawn]

Check out the Cape Dory. Great boats, very well built, classic full keel designs by Carl Alberg.

Shawn

[NateD]

You might be the backup plan. If they can't find a buyer at a higher price, you'll get it this fall at your lower offer.

Overall the boatyard sounds dishonest at worst and scummy at best.  If you really want the 23, let them know that your offer still stands and then leave it alone.

[Bob23]

Shawn:
   I love the CD Typhoon. One was damaged down here in NJ during Sandy...I was hoping to steal it but it disappeared!
Bob23

[Shawn]

The Typhoon is a very nice boat. My wife's uncle has one, haven't been out on it yet though. The Typhoon Senior looks like it would be a great daysailer too.

A CD30 would be a great "big boat" upgrade..... someday.

Shawn

[neosoul]

Here's my last post for this thread:
I took a look at the Cape Dory 25. This is not to be confused with the Cape Dory 25D that was designed by Carl Alberg. They are two different boats. The one I looked at was built in in 1979 and was designed by George Stadel.  It sailed great and had great lines. It was in very good condition and the price was right - even my wife liked it - and I almost talked myself into buying it. But the problem was I was not in love with the boat. I really thought it was a great boat, but just not for me. 

Rather than settle I am going to take the advice provided on the forum and wait for the "RIGHT" boat to come along - a boat that I will love in and out of the water, while sailing or just working on it in my driveway. To me that's a huge part of what owning a sailboat is about. 

Again, I am very grateful for this forum and all the people that contribute to it. You've been great and truly helpful.
Thanks!!
Neo

[NateD]

Way to listen to your heart. When I was looking for my current boat I put together spreadsheets listing the performance characteristics of other roughly 23 foot boats, their ease of trailering, and did all kinds of analysis, but when it came down to it none of that stuff mattered. I wanted a Com-Pac 23, so that is what I bought.

[Craig]

Good call! Buy the boat that speaks to you and you will never be sorry. Cape Dorys are great boats but way different than Compacs. Boats and cats have a lot in common, one being that they both seem to pick their owners rather than the other way 'round. Keep looking, the right boat will find you!

[Salty19]

Good call..like the others said, you will find the right one that speaks to you.

[Bob23]

Neo:
   Quick but true story:
   When I was looking for a sailboat, my friend Bud who is an older gent and sailor with many miles under his keel, kept pointing me to this boat and that boat. After me turning down each one, he was getting a bit frustrated and questioned what was wrong with his choices? "Nothing, Bud. But they just don't stir my soul. I'll know the right boat when she stirs my soul."
   When I first saw my 1985 23 sitting all alone on her mooring, my soul was stirrred and continues to be 8 years later. This could be a long term relationship!

Bob23   

[sreidvt]

Resurrecting an old thread. This exact boat (according to the reg. number) is back for sale this summer. See: http://maine.craigslist.org/boa/4557361093.html  I was thinking of making the 5 hour trip over to Bucksport, Maine -- from Southern Vermont -- to look at it until I found this thread but I'm now not sure I'd want to deal with these folks. Note that the asking price is now $7000. I also need to find out if my tall-trunk body can sit in a CP 23 comfortably and fit in the V-berth. Still trying to find a CP23, just to look at, in New England just to get a sense of the boat.

Many thanks to the OP for documenting the boat so well.