INVESTIGATOR 563

Hi all,

I'm going to have a look over an Investigator 563 in a couple of weekends (my next weekend off) and would really like some pre-purchase ideas, hints and tips.

I've got a pretty good price albeit, over my budget but affordable and I think fair for the seller (but a fair price will be can only be confirmed by actually seeing/touching/investigating the 563's condition!!) The seller say's the boat is ready to go sailing... but (why is there always a but)... but one of the rubber protections strips (not sure if port or starboard) running along the gunwale/toe-rail has been removed because it was 'ratty'. It has not yet been replaced but seller says should cost about $15 mtr for replacement. I believe in people's honesty and I'm sure this seller is honest but I also know that honest people also make honest mistakes.

I guess, I'm in no way implying the seller is 'hiding' a fault but..gee, I'm worried why the strip was removed although, seller gave a forthright reason which was, it was 'ratty' so he removed it. My thoughts are:
a/ first & foremost, the 563 had a leak at the seam/join area between deck & hull requiring the rubber strip to be removed - thus, if true, is this an easy fix??
b/ damage to an area on the strip making removal necessary (but might me more noticeable on closer inspection)
c/ it was simply 'ratty' but not leaking? and owner felt like removing (although, wouldn't there be other more important jobs to do first??)
d/ I've missed something that actual owners may know

Plus, can you guys & gals advise me on some good pre-purchase things to run through.
I read about using a pressure cleaner for locating possible leaks??? is that a feasible idea. I could pack Katcher in the car if the seller doesn't have one, I guess if the seller refused that's a good indication of leaks thus, give it a miss.


Lastly, I'm going to inspect & possibly purchase the boat on the weekend of the 23rd/24th of Feb and if all looks good I'll hopefully do a deal and trailer it home.

On a side note, I've got an email from a bloke called Bob who is a local in the suburb next to mine (bugger me, it's a small world) so hopefully, there will be 2 Investigators within 10km of each other in Tassie. Bob, is off to Qld soon for his 563 so It would be fantastic to pair up and go sailing together on our respective 563's. Hell... it doesn't rain, it pours.... we will slowly be building the 563's stocks up in Tassie.

At this stage I will need to replace the rubber protection strip along the gunwale/toe rail but seller has dropper the price to allow for that andsome haggling as got the price down further so I could afford it on my merge budget and seller still gets a fair price.

Cheers, all Pete

Pete. Many of us have toe rail fitted. The original edge treatment was timber rub rail . On my 563 I had nothing as the original timber had rotted and never replaced. I fitted some cheap plastic for the first year on the mooring but found there was a small split occurring near the chainplate, probably due to the rocking of the mast on the mooring. I fitted a flat zed shaped toe rail I bought second hand for sixty bucks .

This not only looks good but the multiple bolts seem to strengthen the boat and stiffen it bit . It iprovides good protection for the edge and makes it feel much safer crawling around on deck in damp conditions and heeling of the boat .

http://images.keelenvy.multiply.multipl ... =181636961

If you search this forum and the old multiply one above you will find many threads and pics about toe rail on the 563.

Others may have good advice on things to look for but the mains would be rot in the deck as it is apparently a cored deck with timber between GRP sandwich and leaks through tne swing keel bolt. Not that these can't be fixed.

Can you supply some details of the boat you are looking at? Name, sail number, location, etc. One of us might know the boat. Note also that condition of the trailer is a key factor, as trailers deteriorate faster than the boat.

Yara50 wrote:Can you supply some details of the boat you are looking at? Name, sail number, location, etc. One of us might know the boat. Note also that condition of the trailer is a key factor, as trailers deteriorate faster than the boat.

Hi Yara50,

Thanks, good advice, I'l try to get the details and see if a member is familiar with the 563

Cheers, Pete

Ozzie wrote:Pete. Many of us have toe rail fitted. The original edge treatment was timber rub rail . On my 563 I had nothing as the original timber had rotted and never replaced. I fitted some cheap plastic for the first year on the mooring but found there was a small split occurring near the chainplate, probably due to the rocking of the mast on the mooring. I fitted a flat zed shaped toe rail I bought second hand for sixty bucks .

This not only looks good but the multiple bolts seem to strengthen the boat and stiffen it bit . It iprovides good protection for the edge and makes it feel much safer crawling around on deck in damp conditions and heeling of the boat .

http://images.keelenvy.multiply.multipl ... =181636961

If you search this forum and the old multiply one above you will find many threads and pics about toe rail on the 563.

Others may have good advice on things to look for but the mains would be rot in the deck as it is apparently a cored deck with timber between GRP sandwich and leaks through tne swing keel bolt. Not that these can't be fixed.

Hi Ozzie,

Thanks for the info.... I'm sure the owner said 'rubber' but he also said "the wood was not rotten" I thought he meant the wood under the rubber but he may have meant the wooden rub rail was not rotten (but ratty) so he took it off to replace with rubber??

Jeeze, I'm not sure so I'll wait until I see the TS in the flesh and figure this out.
The pre-purchase thoughts seems to be:

Trailer in good condition is a MUST because fixing it not worth it and purchasing new is dammed expensive
If it looks dodgey it prob is
Spend good money now to save on more later

Cheers, Pete

Pete, see my comments on the other forum re trailer. They tend to panic over there about trailers but I have had brakes and such done at stop master and they are not that expensive . Friend had new springs fitted recently and I thought the cost was reasonable (can't remember details)I have recently replaced all my timber bunks with scrap treated pine... all you need to worry about is serious structural rust that would need main structural members replaced.


The 563 axle is stepped for the keel so it is unique.


http://www.etrailerparts.com.au/index.h ... tup.html&1


...some spring prices.

I made this up for myself - original version on spreadsheet which I can't upload.
Peter


LAND Propulsion engine fuel tank and lines
LAND Propulsion engine compression
LAND Propulsion engine raising-lowering
LAND Propulsion engine steering by motor
LAND Propulsion sails (best) mainsail
LAND Propulsion sails (best) storm jib
LAND Propulsion sails (best) working jib
LAND Propulsion sails (best) genoa
LAND Propulsion sails (best) spinnaker



LAND Steering rudder condition
LAND Steering rudder raising lowering
LAND Steering rudder tiller
LAND Steering rudder tiller extension
LAND Steering rudder removing
SEA Steering keel operation
LAND Steering keel damage
LAND Steering keel rust


LAND Rigging standing mast
LAND Rigging standing mast step
LAND Rigging standing spreaders
LAND Rigging standing swage fittings
LAND Rigging standing rivets
LAND Rigging standing forestay connection
LAND Rigging standing forestay
LAND Rigging standing sidestays
LAND Rigging standing backstay
LAND Rigging standing turnbuckles
LAND Rigging standing chainplates
LAND Rigging halyards jib
LAND Rigging halyards mainsail
LAND Rigging halyards spinnaker
LAND Rigging sheets jib
LAND Rigging sheets mainsail
LAND Rigging sheets spinnaker
LAND Rigging other controls cunningham
LAND Rigging other controls vang
LAND Rigging other controls ouhaul
LAND Rigging other controls reefing
LAND Rigging other controls furling



LAND Deck Hardware hatches front hatch
LAND Deck Hardware hatches companionway
LAND Deck Hardware hatches pop top
LAND Deck Hardware lockers cockpit
LAND Deck Hardware lockers chain and anchor
LAND Deck Hardware winches halyard winches
LAND Deck Hardware winches sheeting winches
LAND Deck Hardware winches horncleats
LAND Deck Hardware winches jammer cleats
LAND Deck Hardware winches snail cam cleats
LAND Deck Hardware other controls fairleads
LAND Deck Hardware other controls traveller
LAND Deck Hardware other controls self-tacking



LAND Hull fibreglass impact spider cracks (OK)
LAND Hull fibreglass impact starring (impact)
LAND Hull fibreglass impact parallel (stress)


LAND Hull general paint condition
LAND Hull general fouling
LAND Hull general de-laminated
LAND Hull general soft spots

LAND Deck soft spots
LAND Deck springy spot
LAND Deck deck surface
LAND Deck hull-deck interface

SEA Propulsion engine starting
SEA Propulsion engine forward
SEA Propulsion engine reverse
SEA Propulsion engine accelerator
SEA Propulsion engine WOT
SEA Propulsion engine idle



SEA Electrical battery charged
SEA Electrical battery navigation lights
SEA Electrical battery accessories work
SEA Electrical battery radios



LAND Inside bilge
LAND Inside floor
LAND Inside lockers
LAND Inside Side panels
LAND Inside headlining
LAND Inside upholstery
LAND Inside smells
LAND Inside galley stove
LAND Inside galley sink
LAND Inside bunks
LAND Inside mould
LAND Inside bulkheads
LAND Inside keel casing

LAND Other stuff boat registration
LAND Other stuff boat insurance
LAND Other stuff where used
LAND Other stuff when used
LAND Other stuff modifications
LAND Other stuff crash damage
LAND Other stuff crash damage
LAND Other stuff staining excess sealant
LAND Other stuff storage


LAND Safety equipment bilge pump
LAND Safety equipment baling bucket
LAND Safety equipment pyrotechnics
LAND Safety equipment life jackets
LAND Safety equipment torch
LAND Safety equipment anchor
LAND Safety equipment ground tackle
LAND Safety equipment anchor line
LAND Safety equipment handrails
LAND Safety equipment staunchions
LAND Safety equipment fenders



LAND preparing to launch standing the mast
LAND preparing to launch fitting the boom
LAND preparing to launch bending on the mainsail
LAND preparing to launch putting in a reef
LAND preparing to launch bending on the foresail
LAND preparing to launch attaching lines
LAND preparing to launch attaching fenders



SEA preparing to launch launching the boat
SEA preparing to depart fill water ballast
SEA preparing to depart rudder down
SEA preparing to depart motor down
SEA preparing to depart start motor
SEA preparing to depart keel down
SEA preparing to depart cast off
SEA preparing to sail forward and reverse gear
SEA preparing to sail throttle
SEA preparing to sail steer boat
SEA preparing to sail head to wind
SEA preparing to sail raise main




SEA sailing lay-off and sheet on
SEA sailing switch off and raise motor
SEA sailing close reaching
SEA sailing beating
SEA sailing tacking
SEA sailing beating
SEA sailing reaching
SEA sailing running
SEA sailing gybing
SEA sailing running
SEA sailing sheet-on
SEA sailing attempt heave to
SEA sailing raise foresail
SEA sailing close reaching
SEA sailing beating
SEA sailing tacking
SEA sailing beating
SEA sailing reaching
SEA sailing running
SEA sailing gybing
SEA sailing running
SEA sailing attempt heave to




SEA preparing to dock drop motor and start engine
SEA preparing to dock come head to wind
SEA preparing to dock drop head sail
SEA preparing to dock drop mainsail
SEA preparing to dock prepare bow and stern lines
SEA preparing to dock forward and reverse gear
SEA preparing to dock throttle




SEA preparing to retrieve tie up along side
SEA preparing for trailering sails off
SEA preparing for trailering boom off
SEA preparing for trailering rudder up
SEA preparing for trailering keel raised
SEA retrieving place boat over trailer
SEA retrieving actuate winch




LAND retrieving retrieve boat
LAND retrieving empty ballast
LAND preparing for trailering mast down
LAND preparing for trailering mast secured for travel
LAND preparing for trailering engine secured
LAND preparing for trailering rudder secured



LAND trailer registration
LAND trailer tie down points
LAND trailer springs and axles
LAND trailer bearings
LAND trailer grease splatter
LAND trailer rotation and wobble
LAND trailer brakes
LAND trailer lights
LAND trailer winch
LAND trailer winch wire
LAND trailer winch post
LAND trailer tyres
LAND trailer mudguards
LAND trailer rollers

Well, the 563 has NO number/s? and NO name?............ what the hell boat has NO name..... at least I can rename her (after the obligatory ode to Neptune so the king of the sea will grant me safe passage on his oceans )

Jeeze, I may need to come up with a name..... any ideas??
Ok, back to the 563 with no name ?
The best I can get out of the owner is that his 563's trailer is registered and has been modified ????(but being registered the mods would hopefully be approved?). I don't even know what she looks like, her colour (forgot to ask) .... I know NOTHING...hahahahah I'm starting to sound like Shultz from Hogan's Hero's..... "I know nooottttttthing"

This is it.............. all the info I have on the 563....should I be worried with so little to go on????

I'll need to register the 563 so I hope the owner has rego papers for the 563 as well as the trailer so I can transfer rego to my name.
I've NO more info... so I'm flying (hahaha sailing) blind until I see it.
On a more favourable note, I'll be having a look over the 563 this weekend hence. 1 week earlier than planned so I can get things rolling quicker...

Cheers, for the info
Pete

cruiserpete wrote:

Yara50 wrote:Can you supply some details of the boat you are looking at? Name, sail number, location, etc. One of us might know the boat. Note also that condition of the trailer is a key factor, as trailers deteriorate faster than the boat.

Hi Yara50,

Thanks, good advice, I'l try to get the details and see if a member is familiar with the 563

Cheers, Pete

Wow, Peter, thank you so very much for the list, it's fantastic. I've PM'd you for an emailed copy if you'd be so kind but I think I neglected to add my email. I'll PM my email address asap. Once again, thank you for the fantastic list.

Dr. Peter wrote:I made this up for myself - original version on spreadsheet which I can't upload.
Peter

Opps - edited

I have forwarded the spreadsheet to you via email.

I used it as an aide memoir as much as a checklist. It was about ensuring that I had an honest appraisal of the boat and what it takes to operate it and some idea of any changes that might be required. About that last point - unless its a safety thing I would wait a bit before changing stuff. See how it works out for you.

When I bought Pip its cabin and electrics were fantastic whereas the sails were rubbish. OK - factor in new sails. The outboard was OK but I already had a relatively new one. The outside was tired - still is, but all I sorted out were the control lines.

Good luck - buying a boat is an exciting time.

PS would you like to edit your post above - one copy of the checklist list is enough. Its a bit long to quote all of it