This is a Bob Evelyn designed sailboat built in 1980. While it's no match for a new sportboat like a Melges 24, it's no bathtub either, with spirited performance, an easily managed fractional rig with dual slot headstay foil, a fin keel, and deep spade rudder. Its PHRF rating, depending upon location, is typically the same as that of a J24, but in contrast to the J it has a spacious, comfortable interior with standing headroom and six berths that makes cruising or simply staying overnight on the boat a lot more pleasant. Also, unlike a J24's flat cockpit, the Evelyn's cockpit has seatbacks and angled coamings for more comfort both while heeled under sail and at the dock.
The interior of the boat includes a V-berth forward of the main bulkhead with a brand new, never used porta potti below (with provision for a privacy curtain), two settees/berths in the main cabin, and a galley area to port of the companionway that includes a small sink and a built in insulated icebox with a heavy cutting board cover. There is also a single burner portable stove. To starboard of the companionway is a forward facing navigation station, and then farther aft are port and starboard quarterberths extending under the cockpit. In addition to the main hatch above the V-berth, there are 4 opening ports in the main cabin, resulting in an open, airy, well ventilated interior. There is lots of storage under all six berths as well as in the galley and nav areas.
This particular boat is structurally very strong and in decent overall condition for its age and is ready for casual racing or leisurely afternoons on the lake. The bottom was stripped and painted with two coats of white hard antifouling paint exactly a year ago (no blisters were found) and remains clean. The topsides are dark blue and in good shape, and the deck is white. The deck hardware is original and, while a few pieces could use updating, everything is fully operational, and the boat comes with full spinnaker gear. The standing and running rigging are in decent, usable condition. Also, the boat has a new Nicro Day & Night Solar Vent that does a great job of keeping the interior fresh.
Perfect for someone who enjoys tinkering (as I do) and the low price reflects that. The areas that could use attention: the interior cushions could use recovering, and the soft vinyl headliner is showing its age. Additionally, there is one area (~18" dia.) of the cored deck near the mast that is beginning to get soft (but not spongy), I don't consider it to be in need immediate repair, but when you get around to it, it’s a relatively easy and inexpensive (less than $100) repair that you can do yourself (I can provide an explanation of how to do it). The only issue that should be addressed sooner rather than later is that the main hatch's lexan/plexiglass panel (above the V-berth) should be rebedded in its frame. Again, this is fairly simple to do and the only cost is the sealant, it's just a matter of prying the panel away from its aluminum frame, cleaning out the old bedding from the frame and panel, and rebedding in new sealant. I already replaced the hatch’s hinges and locking hardware a couple of months ago. Eventually, at some point in the next several years, it would be probably be wise to rebed the deck hardware (unscrew and remove each piece of hardware, re-caulk with marine sealant, and replace.)
The sails include a fully-battened Dacron main in decent shape, a Dacron blade jib, a mylar/kevlar light #1 in fair-to-poor shape (we're still using it), and an all-purpose spinnaker in fair shape. If you want additional sails, a variety of used sails that fit this boat have been available online recently at low cost ($175-$285) from companies that specialize in used sails. The outboard is an Evinrude Yachttwin long-shaft 8HP motor with about 2 hours of use since its most recent tune up. Even after sitting for longer periods (a month or two) it fires up after several pulls. It has a transmission with forward-neutral-reverse settings and plenty of power for this boat. It is mounted on an aluminum transom mount that raises and lowers, but I am also including the $250 worth of hardware I purchased and had welded (but haven't yet had the chance to install) to create a track & car system located on the transom to make raising, lowering, and using the motor easier. The plastic fuel tank and hose are new within the last year.
Notes about the photos: The exterior shot was taken last summer after the bottom job. The trailer shown in the photos is NOT included (it was borrowed from a friend). The interior shots were taken several years ago (I haven't had a chance to get to the boat to take more recent interior shots). This is a solid, well built, fairly rare boat by a noted designer that can be enjoyed immediately. It's in the water on Lake Norman near Charlotte with direct access to a Travelift, if needed.
Hello David,
I’m pleased to report that I was able to sell my boat through a local advertisement, so please revise the listing (ad code Evelyn 26 C) to reflect this.
Thanks for your help!
Dave
Charlotte, North Carolina
