INVESTIGATOR 563

I know how you feel Mel. I have been eyeing off keelboats for years, but every time I inspect one in my price range, I come back to how much better the Investigator 563 is for me. Having spent years setting it up, it has all the mod cons I need, plus some extras like a full boom tent that I have never used. It would be hard to part with Yara, so I probably will end up with a fleet. You are familiar with that scene!

Keep in touch with Phil. It is common with boats, that buyers appear hot to trot, and then fall over.

SoloSailor wrote:Thanks everyone,
It seemed like a whole batch popped up for sale all at once.
I have had a great chat with Phil. Incredibly, it turned out that Phil was once the owner of the Cal 14 I now own. He set it up beautifully and I still have his name on some of the safety gear. Talk about a small world!!
So I have no doubt that Phil's I563 will be set up superbly; I just can't bring myself to commit to parting with the Cal, which I need to do to afford anything over $5K.
Decisions decisions.
Appreciate all the comments.
Best wishes,

Raya wrote:I like the uncluttered interior. No need for a lot of stuff below if the boat is only used for day sailing.
For the record, this boat is Investigator #4 Seabreeze Osprey, later renamed Solitaire.

I bought the boat from Phil and can confirm that he set it up beautifully. He did mention the name Solitaire, but I got the impression that he hadn't really named it. So I have called the boat Tricksy.

One meaning of "tricksy" is "neat and trim" which sums the boat up well. I don't like unnecessary gadgets, so I was quite happy at the absence of a radio and instruments. I do have a removable Speed Puck which is enough for me. But all the gadgets that Phil installed are practical ones that I would have done myself if I was a bit handier like Phil. So I am very happy with the boat and although it is the oldest of my three Investigators, it is definitely the best.

Weirdly, Mel and I almost got into a race to buy it. Mel and I also both own CAL 14's. Mel's boat Charlie was previously owned by Phil and is fitted with his trade-mark venetian blinds as is my new boat Tricksy.