| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Gunn |
Posted - 19 Jun 2016 : 18:10:04
Hi Guys
I'm looking to buy my 1st boat - something we as a family can learn in. I have crewed before but decades ago so I'm a complete novice in effect.
The Stratos seems a great choice from reviews and I have seen an old one that's seems in great condition - but - what do I need to look at and how much realistically are they worth nowadays.
The one I've seen has no fading, and no damage to the hull. There are a few cracks in the surface of the deck where it attaches to the transom, I've not seen the sails yet nor the foils though he has indicated they are in good condition like the rest of the boat.
What do I need to be looking for, any particular areas that are a concern.
Any help much appreciated for this novice
Cheers
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| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| m80 |
Posted - 04 Jul 2016 : 01:06:10
If I remember correctly, 2 cross head screws accessed from below the boat, 'U' clip removed then the CB comes out into the boat.
Since striking the ground going forward would cause the CB to rise it's unlikely to have issue. The brake may want adjustment, or replacement if it's gone hard with age.
It sounds like you have a nice boat, enjoy.
Martin. |
| Gunn |
Posted - 03 Jul 2016 : 20:52:47
Martin
That's an amazing amount of detail, thank you, I have made a snap decision to purchase a newer model Stratos CB (silver mast).
The owner had bought it new, priced it realistically to sell and knew the boat inside and out.
The hull has some fading towards the bottom of the red band but nothing to bad.
The hull is unmarked bar a small knock at the bottom of the bow caused by the hitting the road trailer - it looks to be a likely common problem - to be filled!
The sails seem nice and crisp with no repairs.
There are no stress fractures anywhere as far as can see, just a few chips on the sides caused by wetsuit/buoyancy tags.
I've not been able to check the centreboard (do these come out?) but if the unmarked rudder is anything to go by (completely unmarked) it will be in good condition.
The boats been parked in a garage for the last 3/4 years virtually unused so it really is a nice looking boat. The seller had everything bar the receipt, rigging manuals, printed photos for rigging, brochure and advertising literature - very comprehensive.
Thanks for your help
Gunn
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| m80 |
Posted - 01 Jul 2016 : 16:39:51
I'll have another go.
We are on our 2nd Stratos CB. The 1st was v well used and beaten up some. With great respect for the boat I sourced a better, more pretty example. In truth they both sail exactly the same, maybe the newer would win in a race but as that isn't my passion I'm not concerned. The newer is number 310 so still an early example. Silver spars would be a preference (later models), but hey ho the price was right.
The no fading is and was a big factor for me and effected the price I would pay. The boats are solidly built so as long as not abused I was happy. The gel coat can be expected to show some crazing at stress points, elsewhere would show it's been bashed in my view. The 1st had crazing near the bow, lower in the white. clearly bashed it hadn't weakened and I had no loss of confidence because of it.
Trolley and trailer are a consideration. I would normally expect the road tyres to be shot due to UV degradation, �85 a pair. a good visual inspection should unearth issues. On this thought, I don't winch my trolley onto trailer by the bow eye loop, instead I winch the trolley itself. It's is in use while trailing. Checking the eye loop for it's being secure is worthwhile. On one I viewed this was loose so deterred my using it on the 1 I bought.
If you plan on trailing some I would invest in some 18" velcro straps, much better than tape residue on the mast.
The genny' will often have repairs, the effect on value is a judgement call. Remember it can be v useful to have a training genny' anyway. The page here directing us to cheaper Hyde sails is excellent, I bought a new genny' last year.
Aside from brown 'rust' stains the jib may show wear marks on it's forestay where the genny' has been dragged across it. No issue for performance but a little unsightly.
A mylar main is worth checking for stress creases that may cause it to part in future. My well used main will likely give up this way in a year or 2. Checking the bolt rope sleeving for wear / damage where it has raised up the mast also.
Check the outhaul slug for security, I've had one come away. Another tip- if you tie a knot in the outhaul line approx 9" up, and then run this new knot into the boom rear notch you have a handy tail to release the sail off the boom when it's blowing some. Remember to catch the boom though. I also adapted a plastic kitchen corner block for the underside and rear of the boom to prevent metal hitting deck.
A rearward bend on the mast isn't unusual, but not too obvious. Clearly port / starboard it should be straight though. If mast is stepped heeling the boat over on tyres or on a pontoon to check the mast for kinks would be handy. With access to the mast fittings, and all other moving fittings for that matter, it would be useful to spray with silicon lubricant. I've seen a few tight or seized.
A v well used boat would show wear on the jib fairleads. These will one day wear through. I've not found replacement fairleads just whole track assemblies for about �80 a pair. An easy replacement so not a deal breaker but could indicate the boats mileage.
Consider replacing the jib furling line, cheap, less than an hours effort, not critical to sailing, but nice to be reliable.
I've 2 covers. The mast up 'Sun & Rain' deep cover for the boat park to prevent fading. A shallow still mast up cover for trailing. I still want to cover overnight when I get there when the mast has been stepped.
The rudder gudgeons may be worn. Try the stock for sideways play. If worn the boat will feel far less stable at speed, and these boats can fly. �33 a pair. Movement of the blade in the stock can be down to adjustment or wrongly set up bolt / sleeve / washers. I've read of some one using CD discs for this, maybe I read it here?
I've fitted an auto release downhaul cleat for �13. I like an uphaul as well.
I'm 70kg after a capsize and can't raise the boat after it has tipped over, unless I can manage to get the main upwind. My missus is lighter, we have only managed to right together once, in a breeze there is no chance. I sail with others regularly. Nimble and light we can right the boat ok.
The CB will come with the main sail nappy float. I don't place value on this and fit a 40 litre mast head float. I've even seen evidence of these taking and holding water so could be a negative.
The Stratos can take 6 but is an excellent boat for 3.
We sailed 4 up 2 consecutive days off Anglesey, about 20 miles each jaunt. 3 adults and 1 not little teenager, no issues.
Missus and self had a week off the W coast of Scotland, much motoring due to lack of wind, many miles, great experinece/s.
There's probably more I could say, feel free to ask,
and if you aren't too far from Derbyshire you're welcome to have a sail in ours some time.
Martin. |
| Gunn |
Posted - 29 Jun 2016 : 20:36:12
Thanks M80 - that's useful - internet research has helped too! |
| m80 |
Posted - 28 Jun 2016 : 15:37:17
I typed out an extensive reply, but the site went down and lost it.
I'll try again later with time.
Briefly �2k is cheap for a good example, �3K isn't silly but should expect cheaper, assuming this to be a CB.
Martin. |
| Gunn |
Posted - 23 Jun 2016 : 21:36:40
Thanks mike - I used to crew a Lark which had a tendency to turtle at every opportunity, especially with the unpredictable wind on Ullswater so am well practiced at recovery. I've also heard floats can cause other issues, especially when you get to the larger volume ones that seem to be needed for the Stratos such as high drag causing the boat to potentially drift.
My worry is if there are issues with the hull, are there any pointers about what to look for, high wear areas indicating higher than usual use etc. I read that hulls can crack at the join in the centre board hole making repair difficult/impossible, are issues like this unusual? The boat I've seen is an early boat with little / no fade - can anyone give me an idea about its worth (obviously what someone will pay!). Is �2000 cheap, �3000 expensive etc
cheers |
| Mike Rowe |
Posted - 20 Jun 2016 : 16:26:59
Hi, One thing I'd suggest is buying a mast float as the Stratos is prone to going turtle on capsize. Otherwise a great boat. Mike |
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