INVESTIGATOR 563

I am presently looking for an Investigator and would appreciate some advice from you chappies. The boat I am currently investigating (no pun intended) is the one advertised in Gumtree. I am having some difficulty determining its age in that the owner says that the sails on it are old and that the sail number has been removed but there is a faint outline of number 31. Now from reading your Forum this looks like an old boat number. It does not have an outboard well and the front hatch has two hinges which I understand was only introduced on the latter boats. Does anyone know when the two hinge version was introduced? The owner does not know the original boat name but said he got it from Queensland about two years ago. Interestingly it has a pump out loo which I think would be rather rare on a boat of this age. He assures me that it does have a center board but he has never lowered it!

Congratulations on a great Forum - such is the extent of the articles that it took me hours to read thru it!

Charles

Welcome,
The age of an Investigator 563 is rather academic, as it is its condition that is more important. Certainly the two hinge forehatch indicates a sail number greater than 50. A pump-out toilet would suggest that it has spent some time on a mooring. Moored boats deteriorate at a greter rate. Centre boards were only galvanised, so if the boat was moored, there is a good chance it was never lowered because it is rusted up. Not impossible to fix, but there is a cost involved. Check out the trailer, as it can also be a major cost item.

welcome for a good investigator
you are looking at about $7000.00 to $10,000.00 for a good boat ready to sail
but if you like to pull it apart then do not pay more than $4500.00 and that is with trailer and out-board
the main things that pull down the price if you have to fit new ones are
sails $2,900.00
outboard say $2,000.00
trailer $2,000.00

regards

Thanks for that info Ian. I assume you know that the two hinged hatch comes after 50 as your boat is 50 and has the single hinge. I appreciate what you say about steel centre boards as I had a Farr 6000 and while it was not on a mooring, rust was a big issue and as it had a larger/heavier board than the 563 it was a mongrel to get at. The owner says that it is a 1984 model. I agree with your comment that it is the condition rather than the age that is important however I am doing the research now before I go to the trouble of driving down to look at it.
Cheers
Charles

Thanks for the info Atles. I have now received a another photo of the boat and it only has one hinge on the front hatch so the 31 number is probably correct so the initial confusion over the age is resolved.
Cheers
Charles

Charles,
Where is this boat that you are interested in? Didnt spot one on Gumtree.

Its well hidden away for some reason Ian, but if you search sailboats in Dalmeny it should come up. Or go straight to
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-sail-boats/ ... l3004303r5.
Cheers
Charles

Seawind

I don't know if you are in the Eurobodalla region but I think I am the only other I563 owner in the area here in Batemans Bay. My sail number was 28 (assuming sail number carried over) so consider it an earlier model with one hinge front hatch. If you are in area and want a comparison I am happy to let you loo at my boat, just let me know.

Best

Mark

Thanks for the invite and info Mark. I am at Ulladulla and saw your boat when it was advertised - looked immaculate in the photo.
Charles

Charles,
Plus on the advertised boat: Has internal mast support frame.
Minus: No pushpit (taffrail), and no lifelines. If you are going to sail somewhere like Batemans Bay you will need them.