I have an opportunity to purchase boat #152. I have seen several pictures of 5.0 XLs that have a square top main, but the main on this boat is pointy. The owner says the main probably needs replacing, but where would I get a new one?
Are there any gotchas I should keep an eye out for? Odd issues with the rudders or anything?
You should be able to ascertain the exact age from the MID number on the starboard transom. Comparatively, I used to own sail number #76 which was one of the first 5.0XL’s in the US. It also had a pin-top main. Pin-tops were still the norm well into ’95-96 as I recall. North Sails was probably the sail maker of the boat you’re contemplating. They claim to no-longer have the patterns. Sabre made factory sails for Mysteres after North, you may want to check with them.
As for gotchas, the bolts that hold the beams to the hulls are stainless going into aluminum plate. If they’re loose or you need to dissemble the boat, they’re likely to snap. Also check for cracks on bow and stay tangs. Rudders are a point of contention for all Mysteres. They’re difficult to dial in and even more difficult (and costly) to source new parts.
All that said, I always thought the XL was a great boat, particularly if you sail in shallow waters and/or don’t want to deal with boards.
Here is the boat.
It is my understanding that the main is no longer usable. I have at least one person telling me that this isn't an XL despite the fact that there are no daggerboards. It looks like there are no diamond wires on the mast. Didn't XLs have diamond wires?
What do you think, is this an XL?
I know the boat. It's not an XL, it's a stock 5.0, the first one in the country, origional sail #26 circa 1991.
The difference between XL and stock is the XL has wider beams, 2 more feet of mast, diamonds, more sail area, and other sundry adjustments.
I looked at it a couple years ago, so understand that some of this may have been corrected by now. It's been painted at least 3 times with latex housepaint. The housepaint hides (or attempts to) extensive crapy fiberglass work which appears to have been laid by Ray Charles. The beams and mast have also been repainted several times and look equally hellish.
Some of the rigging was non-stainless off-the-shelf from Ace Hardware, including chain. The mismatched shroud wasn't long enough so he used chain.
This is not a boat you'd want to own. If you're in the market for a good used 5.0XL, I may know of one in Tampa.
Headhunter,
If the information here is correct: http:/
I want an F16, but I wont be able to afford one anytime soon and the 5.0 XL sounds like a good boat to start on getting used to dealing with an F16 for me and my crew (my crew is very new to sailing.)
My original intention was to buy the Madera Beach boat and cannibalize it for building an F16, but I have since found out what it takes to build hulls and I'm not so sure I have the patients/skill for such a job, and if the boat isn't an XL then it wouldn't have any useful bits anyway. (My assumption is that the 5.0XL mast and beams would be good for an F16 build project.)
how much did he want for the boat?