INVESTIGATOR 563

Absolutely agree with Ian on the safety railing. Well worth having. But here is a mystery ..I think. The 563 pictured in the ad has one hinge on the front hatch ...but..riddle me this caped crusader... Why does it have the smaller windows of the mark II . Note the picture on the home page logo, Robert's Boat which has the larger more angular windows and single hinge . If you look at the side by side comparson i posted a few weeks back you can see the difference. The ad boat definitely has mark II windows like mine.. #143.

In regard to the keel Charles. I guess the worst case scenario is that the keel has rusted , swelled and is jammed in place or could be jammed by marine growth, barnacles or such. If so by laying underneath the boat you can get some idea of this . Get the owner to send you a flash photo of the keel slot taken between the rollers and that should give you some clues.

G'day Ian
Can you please explain to this newboy what the significance is of the "internal mast support frame". I assume you are referring to the circular entrance to the fore peak or is the wooden structure above it not standard?
Cheers
Charles

G'day Ozzie
From your comments about the windows it looks like the mystery is deepening! I have asked him to pull on the centre board release while someone is underneath to see if it at least moves and to send me some photos. My previous boat was a Farr 6000 so I am unfortunately familiar with the rusty board challenge.
Cheers
Charles

Hi Seawind:

I think the mast support frame Ian refers to is the dark wood framing above and to the sides of the circular inner entrance to the forward cabin area, just visible in the top of the inner cabin photo.

Some owners (including me) have added such support to prevent undue flex in the cockpit roof where the mast forces project downwards; more importantly, preventing such flex maintains correct tension on the mainsail, shrouds, etc.

Having said that, you should check whether this work has been done to 'fix' another potential problem: a spongy cabin top due to moisture ingress.

Good luck,

Thanks for that Ian. The boat has a genoa and a spinnaker which would load the mast up and is getting on so no doubt the reinforcement was warranted. Unless as you said the top may have gone spongy.
Cheers
Charles