chrysler sailboats LS16 question

[phatmanmike]

hello, im looking into purchasing a 1971 chrysler LS16"lonestar" with a swing keel, on a galvinized, tilt trailer and a 1974 6hp evinrude for 500 obo.<br /><br />i dont know jack about sailboats. i have 5 boats now, including a 12 foot snark sailboat.<br /><br />is this a good boat, i dont know abything about chrysler boats, sailboats at least. all that ive read say they are excellent starter boats. easy to load/unload and trailer. easy to use and operate. hull is solid. has two sails with sail covers. sails have no rips. all hardware actually works.<br /><br />boat hasnt been registered since 1987. what should i look for?<br /><br />thanks<br /><br />m ikey

 

[BillP]

Re: chrysler sailboats LS16 question

Go for it, that's a good price. I have a 1974 LS13. It is a bit heavy but sails well with just the main and working jib...a genoa would be better for light winds. Chrysler advertised the LS boats as entry models for racing but they are really avg day sailers. The cockpit is very comfortable and easy to operate in. The mast and hardware was top of the line (for the 70s) with Dwyer spars and Harken blocks (my boat is 100% original). It has a kickup rudder of which is all aluminum and very heavy duty. Mounting hardware for the rudder is way oversize compared to other boats. Glass construction is beefy and they used plywood for reinforcements. Mine had one area (6"x6" where the mast goes through the bridge deck) and the ply soft. It was an easy repair by just glassing. <br /><br />Look under the deck for any plywood that got missed with glass during construction. If you find it probe for soft wood.

 

[ED21]

Re: chrysler sailboats LS16 question

Hi again Mike,<br />I had a 14' Chrysler Mutineer many years ago. It was a nice little boat. Light, fast & well built I thought.<br />A 6 hp should be more than enough power. It may even be a bit heavy hanging on the stern. I would thing something about half that size would be OK.<br />You might check that mast support is alright. Sometimes water will get under mast & cause rot. It can be repaired.<br />Check standing rigging. Look at end fittings & look for meathooks on wire.<br />Sounds like a reasonable price.