Possible Piver Chariot

Discussion in 'Multihulls' started by Jefferx, Jan 23, 2013.

  1. Jefferx
    Joined: Jan 2013
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    Location: Carlsbad

    Jefferx New Member

    I am looking at a old Trimaran for sale in my area and I am trying to determine what the boat is exactly. It is 27' long and could be a Piver Chariot, but I am unable to find any good pictures to compare it against. Before I get too far along, what are the items to look at when buying a trimaran of this age and construction?

    Thanks for your help!

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Jefferx
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    Jefferx New Member

    After more research I think it is a Cross 27. Anyone know any information on these? Are they worth investing in?
     
  3. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    gonzo Senior Member

    Many of those are home built, so you better get a surveyor familiar with them to make sure it is OK.
     
  4. SamSam
    Joined: Feb 2005
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    SamSam Senior Member

    Well, first find out how old it is and what it's made of and then tell us.
     
  5. cavalier mk2
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    cavalier mk2 Senior Member

    Better pictures would help identify it. Any Cross is a good design, many are double diagonal ply. Seaworthiness comes down to construction quality, condition- rot?, and materials used. Some things like beams were specified marine ply, in other areas good exterior ply was allowed. Plans are still available from Jeff Turner at Cross Multihulls. Age isn't really a issue but condition is. A boat that has been around the world 3 times will have been subjected to more stress cycles than one used on weekends etc.....
     
  6. Jefferx
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    Jefferx New Member

    The boat has changed hands a number of times and there isn't very much information available on the boat. Owner believes it was built sometime in the 60s-70s and constructed of plywood. There is some damage near the front of the boat where a forestay pulled out.
     

  7. cavalier mk2
    Joined: Mar 2010
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    cavalier mk2 Senior Member

    The Cross 27 was a round hull development of the Cross 26, a hard chine sheet ply design. This puts it more into the 1970s. The forestay pulling out could be from rot or a hardware installation error. It is fairly easy to reinforce and repair such things but if the boat has major condition issues you would be better off looking for something else unless you are an experienced builder and understand what you are taking on. Getting a survey from someone experienced with wood multihull construction is important unless you have those skills yourself.

    These are affordable boats if you can do the work and upkeep yourself and were designed for owner construction but if you have to hire it out it will get expensive.
     
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