I bought a Catalina 30 two days ago without a survey and got stuck with a Catalina Smile. The boat had an inch of water in the bilge and the seller feined surprise and claimed he was away during a recent rainstorm and that the water must have leaked in. Not being afraid of a little water with an inboard and its inherent packing gland drip, and due to the pristine condition of the bilge, I did not investigate further. My mistake.
If I do most of the grunt work myself, it won't be too bad financially. I got taken by a sob story of six months of sobriety in an alcoholic family, and moving to Hawaii to get away from temptation--along with a $9000 price for a boat that should sell for $12 to $15K Overall a clean boat with bowsprit, tall rig, a Helm and a Universal M18, which seemed to run fine (with an hour test drive) but was very difficult to start. After having the injectors cleaned, now it runs fine.
I have read the white papers from Catalina on how to fix the "Smile"--includes removing the plywood sandwich between the keel bolts, which appears to be a real job. Both the bilge and the keel bolts (stainless steel) look almost new. Any advice on how to cut through the fiberglass in the bilge and remove the plywood would be appreciated. Catalina says to chisel it out. I would like a power option. Am thinking of trying one of the small 20V chain saws to rip it into dust and shop vac it away--although I have never used one of these saws, and am very partial to all ten of my fingers...
But the real reason for this post is about bottom paint. I have 30 years of experience boating in fresh water, but this is my first-year sailing in the ocean, in Marina Del Rey, CA. I am an experienced painter and since the boat needs bottom paint, I will do it myself at haulout. The first slot on the hard is in 26 days. I would like to order the paint to try and save money. The boatyards want $1600 to $2000 to paint, and I can use this savings to help pay the experienced boat repairman at my marina who knows how to fiberglass professionally. Between me removing the undoubtedly soft wood from the core and repainting, I am hoping to only spend two or three thousand for the repair and the materials I need to paint.
What bottom paint is the best value? (I have the bottom cleaned monthly) Thanks all!
If I do most of the grunt work myself, it won't be too bad financially. I got taken by a sob story of six months of sobriety in an alcoholic family, and moving to Hawaii to get away from temptation--along with a $9000 price for a boat that should sell for $12 to $15K Overall a clean boat with bowsprit, tall rig, a Helm and a Universal M18, which seemed to run fine (with an hour test drive) but was very difficult to start. After having the injectors cleaned, now it runs fine.
I have read the white papers from Catalina on how to fix the "Smile"--includes removing the plywood sandwich between the keel bolts, which appears to be a real job. Both the bilge and the keel bolts (stainless steel) look almost new. Any advice on how to cut through the fiberglass in the bilge and remove the plywood would be appreciated. Catalina says to chisel it out. I would like a power option. Am thinking of trying one of the small 20V chain saws to rip it into dust and shop vac it away--although I have never used one of these saws, and am very partial to all ten of my fingers...
But the real reason for this post is about bottom paint. I have 30 years of experience boating in fresh water, but this is my first-year sailing in the ocean, in Marina Del Rey, CA. I am an experienced painter and since the boat needs bottom paint, I will do it myself at haulout. The first slot on the hard is in 26 days. I would like to order the paint to try and save money. The boatyards want $1600 to $2000 to paint, and I can use this savings to help pay the experienced boat repairman at my marina who knows how to fiberglass professionally. Between me removing the undoubtedly soft wood from the core and repainting, I am hoping to only spend two or three thousand for the repair and the materials I need to paint.
What bottom paint is the best value? (I have the bottom cleaned monthly) Thanks all!
