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Original Midnight Lace info...

Discussion in 'Midnight Lace Yacht' started by meblom, Jun 27, 2011.

  1. maldwin

    maldwin Senior Member

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    If you google Midnight Lace Rendez VOUS 02, you will find a lot of pictures of Laces at a rendez vous in the Chesapeake.
    Best,
    Maldwin
  2. Old Phart

    Old Phart Senior Member

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    I dunno
  3. Old Phart

    Old Phart Senior Member

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    I dunno
  4. chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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    Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay & S.Jersey
  5. ddw1668

    ddw1668 Senior Member

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    Bucket List

    Thanks for the Lace link. Can you say Pirate Ships with dock boxes, that look like treasure chests? A Midnight Lace has been on the bucket list for many years........but the bucket is rusty and leaking lately.......
  6. carelm

    carelm Senior Member

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    Possibly because Cheoy Lee built the boats in coordination with the Midnight Lace group. At any rate, they are beautiful boats.
  7. carelm

    carelm Senior Member

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    Here is a link to the website. It's certainly a timeless design as it looks as good now as in the 80's.

    Lace Yachts
  8. Old Phart

    Old Phart Senior Member

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    I dunno
    Lame marketing

    Association = higher price

    Tom Fexas was excluded from the ad.

    How dumb is that?

    An Italian car for sale.

    Soooooooooo.

    A Lamborghini Aventador J for sale.

    Interestingly, there is a picture of the stern of the boat in the ad in the MLR - 02 pics.

    Just seemed odd that Tom Fexas was not mentioned.
  9. carelm

    carelm Senior Member

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    I agree given the high regard Tom had in the industry. A older model Cheoy Lee isn't all that special whereas mentioning it as a Midnight Lace or Tom Fexas design will likely perk up the ears of prospective buyers.
  10. blackswansg

    blackswansg New Member

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    just happened upon this forum. i am probably the last living original owner of a midnight lace. and in fact still own my 52 that i bought in 1985. i would be happy to answer any questions about the laces. i also have original drawings and photos of the boats under construction in hong kong. they are very special boats. mine can be seen at yacht world or cannell payne and paige as it is currently for sale.
  11. maldwin

    maldwin Senior Member

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    I have a contract on a 52 ft Midnight Lace, and am considering an infrared moisture test as part of the survey. Does anyone have any experience with that process?
    Best,
    Maldwin
  12. blackswansg

    blackswansg New Member

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    so maldwin did you buy the lace and if so which one? if not what happened?
  13. maldwin

    maldwin Senior Member

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    No I did not, because the survey turned up too much work to turn her back into a yacht. No big individual item, just a lot of little items adding up to about $ 400,000, or more than twice the value of the boat.
    Best,
    Maldwin
  14. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    That's hard when repairs are more that the boat cost. But I am interested in the cost of repairs,, was that based on work at Spencers or Cable?? Or a smaller (hungry) lil boat yard? South Georgia (JAX FL) town?
  15. maldwin

    maldwin Senior Member

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    I would say it would be mid range: A high quality yard I trust with fair pricing.
    Best,
    Maldwin
  16. blackswansg

    blackswansg New Member

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    which lace were you looking at? and of course you know there is still one in maine that is in much better shape for sale. it is currently having it's bottom sandblasted and the wood refinished.
  17. maldwin

    maldwin Senior Member

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    Another day, another failed Lace survey, this time a 44 in Virginia, described by the broker as having perfect varnish turns out to require tens of thousands of dollars in wood repairs and varnish. High moisture readings on the hull, soot in the engine room, rot in the mast, and that was just the first two hours of the survey.
    Best,
    Maldwin
  18. blackswansg

    blackswansg New Member

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    sorry for your disappointing survey, maldwin. but as you know these boats are on average 30 years old so finding one in meticulous condition is unlikely. unless of course someone has done an incredible restoration but then the price would likely reflect that. finding a boat with exterior teak that has been out and about for 30 years and looks perfect would be a miracle. as a friend of mine once said " it's ok for an old boat to look old". I find that if the woodwork has good looking finish on it than I can forgive some aging kook in the underlying wood. peeling finish and grey spots are a different matter.
  19. maldwin

    maldwin Senior Member

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    For me, 30 years old is brand new! I also think Laces, like Trumpys require a higher degree of perfection than a more salty boat of the same vintage.At the Concordia symposium last summer Giffy Full told Concordia owners if they were unable, or unwilling to keep their boats in the condition they should be in, please sell them to someone who will. I can't afford to keep a Trumpy in the condition she deserves so I am not going to buy one.
    Also, brokers should give honest reports on boats they represent, and,to the best of their ability make sure owners are keeping the boats they represent in the condition described. If not, update the listing.
    Best,
    Maldwin
  20. docwow

    docwow New Member

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    docwow

    Regarding the drying of a hull. I purchased a Lace a year and a half ago, stripped the gelcoat and have been drying her since. I just applied epoxy barrier coat as the moisture readings are now in the low teens and consistent over all areas of the hull with no de-lamination. As to value, I look at this as an investment in what I think is the most beautiful yacht ever designed. I fell in love with this design in 1984 (and nearly hit a bridge abutment rubbernecking the Lace). As a resident physician, affording one then was out of the question but I always dreamed of having one. After looking at, and in promising cases surveying five of them, I finally found one in fresh water with a solid hull and excellent teak (and nothing else) at a rock bottom price. She is now going through a full restoration at woodiesrestorations.com. I hope to launch this summer.