I've been looking for a S27 to buy as my first cat, but in the back of my mind I've been nervious that a S27 will be way to much boat for me to 'learn' on. I've casually been looking for a smaller beachcat to get some seat time with this season before getting my future S27 in the water for next season. My logic was to start small and work my way up, well it sounded like a good reason to buy yet another boat anyway!

So I was looking on ebay for a 16 to get me started and sure enough there was a H16 on the block located within 40 miles from me. The listing had no picture, said it's a 1990, white hulls (solid with no problems), rainbow sail, white jib (both in great condition), galv. trailer, beach wheels, new "transom" last year, stored indoors for part of it's life, needs nothing and is ready to sail. The boat had met the reserve at $1000 (one bidder) and there was less than 30 minutes to go before the end of the auction when I got in touch with the owner. The owner said the cat was in great shape, he was just sick of having to step the mast to use it, so it's been sitting inside all season. When I asked him about the new transom he was a little confused then said that was a error and he meant to say it had a new "tramp" last year and the boat had had no transom work. He also mentioned any questionable rigging was replaced within the last two years and is 100% read to go... no leaks either. It all sounded good to me so I placed a bit with 20 seconds to go and won the auction for $1025. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Obviously I'll check the hulls and sails really well when I pick it up this weekend. Any other major things to be concerned about that could be a deal breaker?

I think I did alright if the cat is as described, but I don't really know much about the value of these boats. If everything is as described, how did I do? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />