It needs some work, the keel is rusted badly, and needs to be removed, sandblasted and reinstalled and the interior wood needs to be replaced, as well as the wiring, the Vire engine was rebuilt by a mechanic and has been sitting, unused, on a pallet for years. The rudder is missing, does anyone know if they are foam/fiberglass, or wood, or what? I am very excited at the project, should be great fun. I also need a trailor. Saw a used 8000 lb trailor today, galvanized steel for $2000, dual axle with  brakes on one pair of wheels. Seemed expensive, but I have never purchased a sailboat trailor. I have seen varying estimates of the weight of the boat, does anyone know how much they weigh?

I am glad this site exists, it is an oasis of information.

Thanks!

I just acquired my ? new? 1973 Parker Dawson two weeks ago; mine needs a new keel, which I have started to fabricate from steel tube and 1/8 steel sheet. Market price for lead was .45 cents a pound on the commodities exchange and calling scrap metal dealers the best we could find was .65 cents a pound I asked the purchasing agent (the wife} to try some junk yards, voila!!! .35 cents a pound for ? a ton.

As for your rudder, you could make one ala surf board style as you don?t have to worry about pintles and gudgons just put some stiffeners in for the lateral loads.

Also try IDASALIOR.COM, which makes HDPE replacements rudders.

For a plethora of information and PD specs go to   www.midshipyachts,com

We hope to be finished with our restoration by Christmas.
Good luck with yours

Herb & Doris MacIntyre
Astor, florida
herbmac1@aol.com