A couple of days ago, I received an email from a non-member in Germany who wants to sell a Kingfisher 26. Considering the continuing popularity of these boats, I decided to post about it on this forum.
The writer apparently only speaks German - I had to ask a friend to translate the letter - so I can't act as a go-between. Thus, if anyone want to know any more about the boat, I suggest they contact the gentleman (I assume it's a man) directly at: saihtamsc@web.de
In Wilhelmshaven, by the North Sea, I have a Kingfisher JR26 for sale. She is in good condition. Her former name was TRIO and she is No.71. For a while she belonged to the guy who ran Bill's log in England. He mentioned her there.
The two guys who are looking for a KF26 or 30 on the website had a look at her and said she looked better than they had expected. They said they would buy her if the underwater ship did not show too many issues. After that I didn't hear from them for quite a while until they finally informed me that they had bought another boat, because they reckoned my boat would need €7000 worth of work done to it. I had meanwhile supplied them with all the photos of the hull.
In my opinion the underwater ship is as good as it is above. The rust on the keels could be removed and the keels be sealed afterwards. I think it is a good sign that so far it wasn't necessary and they are probably even good for a bit longer, but doing it now would be a good thing.
The KF26JR has good sails that haven't seen much use and a 15 HP Nanni diesel, which only uses under 1 litre. Four years ago it was reconditioned for €2800. The invoice is available. Since then the engine ran approx 60 hours. No alterations have been made to the original design and it is still in good condition as one can see from the minimal wear of the non-skid pads. She is equipped with a Hasler selfsteering vane, a Furuno 31, depthsounder, a large compass and a nearly new manual sea toilet.
I don't want to become a member just to advertise her on the website. The price is €5500. I don't mind if someone who is not building a boat and has a bit of time would advertise her for me and take a commission from the buyer.
I would also be interested in a swap for a larger junk rigged boat 30 - 40' in good seaworthy condition, ideally along the lines of a Roger Taylor concept, which can fall dry, and pay a reasonable amount of cash on top.
Perhaps you know somebody or can post it on the website with my email address?
And if you do have a larger boat to swop with this bloke, please ask him to join the JRA for the future!! It would have been cheaper than paying commission to the 'someone not building a boat and has a bit of time to advertise her'.