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Red Witch

> 10 years ago
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Boataddict
Boataddict
WA
11 posts
Boataddict Boataddict
WA, 11 posts
17 May 2012 7:15pm
Hi Everbody,
I am examining a Red Witch for possible purchase. Of concern to me is a crack in the starboard cabin wall around where the top deck meets the sides. Also some of the bulkheads do not meet with the top deck. The crack would be about a millimeter wide on the surface and about 50 mm long, but dont know how deep it is. The port side looks much neater with the top deck resting on all the bulkheads. Much appreciated for advice

Thanks,
Norm
Ramona
Ramona
NSW
7757 posts
Ramona Ramona
NSW, 7757 posts
18 May 2012 8:29am
Norm,
The crack may be just in the gelcoat and of no importance. The bulkhead bit is hard to comment on with out a picture. Bulkheads are normally installed in glass hulls with a cushion, they do not usually meet the glass hull or deck to prevent hard spots. There is usually foam or something similar that fits in the gap and glassed over.
It all depends on what your paying for this boat. Add some more details in your profile section including where you are in the country, you may have a fellow lister nearby.
Boataddict
Boataddict
WA
11 posts
Boataddict Boataddict
WA, 11 posts
18 May 2012 9:23am
Thanks Ramona,
Have updated my profile. From what you describe, there is no structural requirement to attach bulkheads to the deck. The crack does not go to the outside and could be the result of very thick gelcoat. The bilge area visible from the cabin has salty water in it-tastes the same as the swan river. It has not leaked back out with the boat standing on it's trailer. I guess I should be looking at a leak above this level. The hull has no visible osmosis blisters and there was a bilge pump lying nearby. I'll ask the owner how fast it is leaking.
Poodle
Poodle
WA
868 posts
Poodle Poodle
WA, 868 posts
18 May 2012 9:47pm
...and never forget boats are ALWAYS a buyers market... even more so now......
Ramona
Ramona
NSW
7757 posts
Ramona Ramona
NSW, 7757 posts
19 May 2012 8:55am
Poodle said...

...and never forget boats are ALWAYS a buyers market... even more so now......


Yachts on the Australian market are tending more to what's happening in the USA. Prices are dropping and I see no reason why they will recover. EBay is starting to set prices for the lower end of the market where annual costs are out stripping the real value of the vessel. Boataddict is looking at a Red Witch which is popular in WA but really because its still a trailerable yacht. The value is the boat and trailer combination. In NSW if it was a yacht only, then it would be in the eBay minder price range, couple of hundred dollars.

Poodle, I notice the moulds for your yacht are on EBay at the moment too.
Boataddict
Boataddict
WA
11 posts
Boataddict Boataddict
WA, 11 posts
19 May 2012 8:19am
Poodle said...

...and never forget boats are ALWAYS a buyers market... even more so now......


That also applies to cars, planes, and many other items. I forgot that rule once and paid the price-don't fall in love with your dreams.
felixdcat
felixdcat
WA
3519 posts
felixdcat felixdcat
WA, 3519 posts
21 May 2012 12:00pm
Red Withes are cute little yachts.... very safe (bottom very heavy) but not that performant! Go for a sail before buying and ask for a demo on trailer launch and retrieval procedure as you will need a very deep ramp (not many of them in the San) or crew of 3 minimum (you will have to detach the trailer from the car to reach deep enough water) as they are a pain in the bottom type of boat to launch and heavy procedure. Look for something with a lift keel instead! Hope that will help! Good luck with the purchase!
Few are getting sailed at my club and we have a deep ramp.... come and have a look if you want!
Also what is the asked price??
Boataddict
Boataddict
WA
11 posts
Boataddict Boataddict
WA, 11 posts
22 May 2012 10:32am
felixdcat said...

Red Withes are cute little yachts.... very safe (bottom very heavy) but not that performant! Go for a sail before buying and ask for a demo on trailer launch and retrieval procedure as you will need a very deep ramp (not many of them in the San) or crew of 3 minimum (you will have to detach the trailer from the car to reach deep enough water) as they are a pain in the bottom type of boat to launch and heavy procedure. Look for something with a lift keel instead! Hope that will help! Good luck with the purchase!
Few are getting sailed at my club and we have a deep ramp.... come and have a look if you want!
Also what is the asked price??


I would want to launch it from Woodman point. Seems ok to launch as long as you have deep water. Saw a fixed keel on utube having to be lifted out by a monsterous portable crane from sand near the ramp. As you said, it can be a pain. It is going cheap. Has leaks including the transom where the rudder is attached. The fiberglass panel pulls away. The owner thinks those bolts holding the deck down have corroded but I think it's more delamination and structural failure. Would have to glass the top deck to the hull there, I guess. Sails are 20 years old. Lift keel boats are less common. Where is your club? I like cats too. Mine has taken over the house.
Jboy78
Jboy78
WA
6 posts
Jboy78 Jboy78
WA, 6 posts
8 Jun 2012 2:43pm
I recently brought a Red Witch last November to learn to sail. I love it! It is perfect for me to learn on & I have young children who, although have only been out on it once, love it as well. I now launch & retrieve it from a boat ramp & also sail it with just one other person. I have also done this on my own from time to time.
At the start I was putting it in down at Matilda Bay boat ramp which was a bit of a pain in the backside as it took a while to stand the mast each time. I now keep it at the South of Perth Yacht Club and it is so easy to launch from the boat ramp. As I said, I have even done this on my own. I walk it down to the ramp, tie a rope from the trailer to the tow-ball of my car and back it in. It's that easy!

There are a few for sale at the SoPYC and there is a good crew of guys down there to talk to. Check out http://www.redwitch.asn.au/ for some good info.


I would want to launch it from Woodman point. Seems ok to launch as long as you have deep water. Saw a fixed keel on utube having to be lifted out by a monsterous portable crane from sand near the ramp. As you said, it can be a pain. It is going cheap. Has leaks including the transom where the rudder is attached. The fiberglass panel pulls away. The owner thinks those bolts holding the deck down have corroded but I think it's more delamination and structural failure. Would have to glass the top deck to the hull there, I guess. Sails are 20 years old. Lift keel boats are less common. Where is your club? I like cats too. Mine has taken over the house.


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