About to buy a 365 Ketch

[sammurph]

Hello all.  I'm happy to have just found this site, as yesterday, I found for sale a pristine looking 1977 365 ketch.  My question is what should I look for that is likely to need fixing/replacing?  And what items should I just go ahead and fix/replace on this model at this age?  I am particulary curious about the Vee drive, as I've never had to deal with this item before.  I'm also curious as to how much trouble it is to get to the "front" (aft end) of the engine?  To replace belts etc.  I tried dropping down through the cockpit lockers when I was looking at this boat and had a lot of difficulty seeing how I would be able to service that part of the engine.  Also, has anyone repowered their 365?  Can it be done without cutting the cockpit sole? The engine on this one has over 6,000 hours.
Thanks for anyone's help.
Sam

[Dale Tanski]

Sam,

First off, welcome aboard.  You have asked quite the set of questions.
The engineer in me would say that the boat is 32 years old... suspect everything.
The sailor in me would say cast off and have fun, life is short.
As the owner of a 1976 ketch and someone that has been in every nook and cranny,  serviced, replaced or upgraded almost everything that can be unbolted, unscrewed, cut out or forcibly removed, I can speak with some authority.
First off, the average boat (sailboat) owner won't simply make or keep a boat pristine for the sake of a better resale price.  If the boat is that nice after 32 years, someone has put a lot of love, pride, work and knowledge into it.  I hesitate to add the word money, as the average boat owner can't afford or justify the boat they have, but because that is what they like to do, that is what they do.  If it were up to me, and the economy gets any worse, we would be living on the boat and to hell with the house.
That being said, here is the list.
1)   Hull and deck has no core with the following exceptions.  Cockpit hatches and the top of the cockpit coamings are cored with balsa.  The port or starboard cockpit hatches are the first item that one steps down onto when entering the cockpit and have been known to delaminate.  Look for a spongy feel when planting a solid foot. The coamings if covered with teak should be solid but the screws to mount the wood may leak over time and affect the core.
2)   Mast step – The mainmast step was made of plain old steel from the factory.  You can find many examples of rotted bases and the repairs on this site.  Inspect the base of the mast keeping a sharp eye out for corrosion at the base of the spar. The typical repair is to hack off a short section of spar when replacing the step and raise the step to compensate or weld on a short section of matching spar to replace the rotted section.
3)   Fuel tank – The fuel tank on this boat was steel up until I believe 1980 when they went to aluminum.  It is a handy 50 gallon tank.  A leaking or weepy tank is not uncommon in your vintage.  To pull the tank you must pull the engine, cut out the cockpit floor or cut it into pieces from the lockers.  Several owners have hacked it up from the lockers and replaced it with two half tanks that slide in through the same lockers.  You will also find lots of information on this topic on this site as well.
4)   Water tanks – there are three tanks for a total of 150 gallons.  All three are fiberglass and heavily tabbed into the hull.  The port and starboard tanks have two internal baffles that can become loose.  There are three 6" diameter screw off inspection lids on each tank.  They provide adequate access for cleaning.  Check for blisters on the inside of the tanks in the white gelcoat. Many owners have added bladders to the tanks.
5)   Engine – Most 365's have Westerbeke W40's with some having Universals as standard equipment.  The W-40 is a Perkins 4-107 or the 108 marinized by Westerbeke.  Both are excellent running workhorses.  Transmissions vary with some being water cooled.  The engine can be pulled using the main boom and will fit through the companionway without an issue.  I would suspect with 6000 hours yours may have been rebuilt already.  Access is not great but workable.  The good news is the engine is located in an out of the way location.    If you do not have a remote oil filter setup put that on your list. Noise is an issue.
6)   V-Drive – I never saw one in a sailboat either, only ski boats, but I like the concept.  The V-Drive is the reason the engine is tucked out of the way safely high and dry.  It also allows the prop shaft to be nearly horizontal leaving the boat... very efficient.  It s water cooled.  The manufacture, Walter, is excellent to deal with and a great company.
7)   Ports – Look for aging rubber in the main cabin fixed ports.  New replacement rubber can be had from Catalina. 
   Electrical – Well done and reasonably accessible, however out of date for todays needs and standards. 
9)   Storage – Never enough no matter what boat you own.  Don't disregard the bilge, you can store dive bottles in that basement.
10)   Ice box – 6th berth or a large nursery. 
In general the Pearson 365 is way overbuilt by today's and even yesterdays standards.  The company tended to put their time and money into solid engineering and into a well thought out design.  This being said, the finish details are only adequate but better safe than sorry.  The boat is solid, so any investment put into aesthetics is well spent. 
The rig is a tree stump, in the case of the ketch a small forest.  She has adequate performance on the wind for a cruiser and is a freight train on a reach.  There is nothing better than a kite out front, full main, mizzen and a mizzen staysail to make her fly.  If you like to pull strings, feel wanted, sail alone or love options the ketch is for you.  Remember the 365 is also available in a cutter and sloop.  A few ketches were built with the inner stay and self tending staysail.  This is the arrangement I own, so off of the wind we often fly a spinnaker staysail as well.  Sail options... we got lots of options. All in all we love the boat.  This is from a family that has owned three Sabres.  She is safe, solid and comfortable in a seaway.  Many have circled the globe and I am sure if you are up to it, she will take you where you want to go and also bring you home alive and happy.
Good Sailing...  Dale Tanski

[sammurph]

Hello Dale,
Wow! I never expected such a thorough and competent reply.  Says a lot for you and the boat.  I mean if this is the kind of support that is out there, then that goes a long way in helping me make my buy decision.  I'm making a copy of your good advice.  I can't thank you enough.
Sam

[SV THIRD DAY]

We are out cruising currently with our family of 4 on our P365 Ketch and love the boat MORE today than when we cast off!  Dale listed all the items that we had with our boat that we took care of prior to casting off.

Having a site of great Pearson owners is a fabulous resourse...which is why I set this up when we were refitting our boat

We are currently floating in the La Paz Estuary and life couldn't be any better....ok...more cold BEER

[Trinity]

when I saw Sam's post I said to myself, this is a post for Dale...

[sammurph]

Hello, Sam again.  I'm very impressed with this support group. Its a big reason to buy a 365. So the good news is that the Seller accepted my offer today and the deal is proceeding to survey.  I'm optomistic there will be no major issues as the boat looks to be so very well taken care of.  But I'll move my comments on this subject to the general post area.  Anyone who wants to come help me mover her from Fairhope, Alabama to Shell Point Florida (South of Tallahassee) would be welcome and I'll furnish the beer.
Thanks again.
Sam

[kevin barber]

Shell Island/ Shell Point on the big bend?  Are you up the St. Marks river?  That seems like some skinny water up there.   How is sailing in there?

[ishmael]

Hello Sam,

Shell Point is very close to where my wife and I keep our 1980. 365 ketch "Matchmaker".  Ours was 'less that pristine' when purchased and we have put a good amount of work in. Still more to do, too.  Welcome!  This site is a great asset!  We are up the Saint Marks River and would love to have you stop by when you are in the area.  Also, depending on your timing and my work schedule we might be able to help you bring you '77 down.  Here's our e-mail.

Ron and Carol
e-mail, rc_norton@hotmail.com
SV Matchmaker
Saint Marks FL

[SV THIRD DAY]

Another P365 came and anchored next to use in the La Paz esturay yesterday....we were like exicted kids to see a sistership anchor under sail beautifully!