Advice on hauling out.

[atpjim]

I had a diver look at the bottom and he said that barnacles are starting to eat into the gelcoat in one spot.
The forward keel has a small crack on both sides (Catalina Smile ?).
We have decided to haul out, have the bottom fixed and repainted.

Having never had a boat hauled before is there anything I need to know other than it will cost more and take longer than the estimate?

I also thought of having it surveyed. I had a hard time buying and insuring it without a recent survey. I think it would help if we decide to sell and move up.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Is the boat a recent purchase?

 

[fstbttms]

What anti fouling paint do you plan to use?

 

[Anonymous 121765]

AT,

Welcome to the Horror show" my friend. In order to save being gouged by add-on yard work, Here's a few tips on what I use.

1. First ASK local boaters who the better yards are.
Do an online check of the yards in the area. Look for complaints logged with the city/county. This will give you a better idea on what yard to use. Look for complaints with painting. I've caught 2 yards in my area that mixed their own paint. I walked in on them mixing generic paint & just pouring powered cuprous oxide in. Boy, you wished you were there for that one.
It's funny, as MOST yards will leave an empty can of the brand paint you ordered, like this is a promise that this paint was actually used(really?).

2. Don't let on you are new at having your boat hauled. If they hear this, they will take liberties with your wallet.

3. I would have a surveyor show up at haulout time to do an Insurance survey(saves you some money over a full survey). After blockup, ask the surveyor to inspect from waterline down & what paint & work will need to be done. Use this info for writing up the work order. The surveyor can survey waterline up while the bottom painting is being done. The yard manager now knows he needs to stay more inline with this thanks to the surveyor being there.

4. In direct terms, tell the yard manager that ANY work outside the orig. work order is NOT to be started until you get there to approve it. No exceptions.

5. Check on the progress of the work frequently. Drop by at different times without letting him know beforehand. Questionable Yard managers don't like this. Plus, it keeps them more on their toes.

I learned the hard way, maybe this can help you.

CR

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

And, for everyone's sake,(including your wallet & sanity), make SURE the aft lifting strap is clear of your propeller shaft BEFORE lifting.............................from experience.

Good Luck

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

And, for everyone's sake,(including your wallet & sanity), make SURE the aft lifting strap is clear of your propeller shaft BEFORE lifting.............................from experience.

Good Luck

In addition, mark your lift points with temporary black crosses of electrical tape which can be seen from above. You should see (if they haven't been removed by now) small labels on the hull (just under the rub rail) labelled either lift, sling, or something similar.

It's unfortunate, but many yards are absolute horror stories. One local yard here (who shall remain nameless) specializes in dropping boats from their lift (fore and aft slings aren't connected and slide) and knocking boats over like dominos due to not enough supports.

Any chance you can do the work yourself ? Bottom painting doesn't require too many smarts, just lots of patience. Plenty of information in the search menu .

Make sure you boat is well insured before lifting and here's hoping you don't need it.

 

[fstbttms]

Dropped boats? Bent shafts? Any of the Bay Area yards the OP is likely to use are quite professional. Those kinds of accidents are pretty much unheard of around here.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

I like what FFT & Ralph say about bent shafts & proper lifting locations, It happened on my first ever haulout. I now keep a C30 lifting point diagram on my boat to show the yard what lifting locations to NOT use. I also use tape markings to cut down on mistakes. I stand at the stern to make sure the strap is forward the shaft log.

CR

 

[fstbttms]

I say if the yard in question is so inept that the boat owner has to tell the lift operator where to position the slings (especially on a boat as common as a Catalina 30), it's time to consider a different yard.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

FST,

After my experience, not all yard personal are created equal.
Why take the chance. Before they lift, make sure you're happy with the rear strap location.

CR

 

[fstbttms]

FST,

After my experience, not all yard personal are created equal.

I don't doubt it. But the OP is in Alameda. If he hauled at Svendsen's (for instance) he'd be getting a Travellift operator with over twenty years experience. Plus, the yard has lifting diagrams for just about every boat you can name.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

FST,

Sounds like a good yard. My last yard was great. Very clean, with a lot of big yachts. What the workorder estimate said, was what I paid for at the end. This is not the norm.

My C30 has only 10" approx. from the rear keel edge to where the shaft exits the hull. This means the strap has to be held against the keel and the strap top cable has to be moved forward. So the strap is at a 15° angle, so it doesn't slide back onto my shaft. So my configuration does not allow much room for proper lifting. Hopefully, your configuration is better.

CR

 

[Stu Jackson]

fstbtms is right. Two choices: Svends or Grand Marina boat yard. I've used both for over 30 years, no overcharges, you discuss what needs to be done first and they know how to price the work. What's so hard?

Also, any Catalina model is a "standard" AWB and no yard who doesn't know where to lift it shouldn't be in business. That said, I always keep the brochure in my on-board boat book. Doesn't everyone?

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

fstbtms is right. Two choices: Svends or Grand Marina boat yard. I've used both for over 30 years, no overcharges, you discuss what needs to be done first and they know how to price the work. What's so hard?

Also, any Catalina model is a "standard" AWB and no yard who doesn't know where to lift it shouldn't be in business. That said, I always keep the brochure in my on-board boat book. Doesn't everyone?

That or put "Sling Here" stickers on the boat. Then the yard has no excuse.

 

[Stu Jackson]

JK, only issue there is if the screw up, they blame you! If they don't know a C30, they're fools, and that is NOT a description I'd use for either of the two yards in Alameda, they're true professionals.

 

[atpjim]

Not really sure. I want something that's going to last at least a couple of years.

 

[atpjim]

We bought the boat in Oct of 2013.
It seemed to be in above average condition.
I did a self survey for GEICO insurance. Sent them 12 required pictures and a few more.
It passed without issue. Boat US wouldn't even talk to me without a survey.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Bottom paint

Not really sure. I want something that's going to last at least a couple of years.

Grand Marina uses Trinidad. Ask the yard, they know. It's their job!!! I've used Trinidad for 15 years, lasts anywhere from 2 to 5 years.

 

[fstbttms]

Not really sure. I want something that's going to last at least a couple of years.

Pettit Trinidad SR. Have it cleaned every other month. Guarantee 3+ years of good service.

 

[atpjim]

I talked to British Marine in Oakland. They were highly recommended. When we bought the boat, it was berthed in the marina next to their yard. I liked what I saw after walking through their yard quite a few times.