Advice for a (hopefully) soon-to-be Catalina C250 owner?

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Nov 5, 2011
9
Hello all...

I am going this weekend to look at (and hopefully purchase) a Catalina 250 WB. :dance: I've been culling over the forums looking for common issues with the C250, and it seems like about as good a compromise as I can get for a small inland lake boat. I have 4 kids, so 25' is about as small as I want to go, but I also want something I can pull behind the Suburban.

I have been told by the broker that "the boat hasn't been used in a few years and needs cleaned up", but as long as it is just cleaning it needs I'm good putting a little sweat equity in on the boat. I've spent the past few days going through in my head all of the possible issues that may exist and what the value of them may be. For instance, I kind of budgeted that a rudder could cost between $689 and $949, Running rigging would cost in the $450 range, Mainsail $1100-ish, etc.

However, I'm not 100% confident in my abilities to adequately self assess the issues. There are the easy things, such as indications of leaks, soft spots, fish hooks on the standing rigging, etc. that seem pretty straight forward. There are a few areas where I'm not sure what the repairs could cost. For instance, if I find some blisters what is bad enough to cause me to change my thoughts from asking for a discount to walking away?

I know the common answer would be to get a survey, but out here in the middle of nowhere the place that is selling the boat is often the only place to get a survey, or as was the case with one place, they just tell you up front that they don't know anything about sailboats. :doh:

Do any of you have a checklist of things you go through when assessing a boat? Any guidelines for a newbie?

Thanks,
 
Nov 5, 2011
9
Well... I am now the proud owner of a 1995 Catalina C250. I have a feeling this is going to be a very educational summer!
 
Mar 19, 2011
225
Catalina C25 Eagle Mountain Lake
Well... I am now the proud owner of a 1995 Catalina C250. I have a feeling this is going to be a very educational summer!
Congrats! Now come on over to the Association (linked above), register and introduce yourself....
 

jrowan

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Mar 5, 2011
1,294
O'Day 35 Severn River, Mobjack Bay, Va.
My opinion is with a boat purchase that is under the 10 k range & a boat of less then 25 or so feet you can only get into so much trouble. These are the boats that you learn to sail on, & learn from in terms of maintenance & their habits & limitations. Use your best judgement. Sound the decks with a rubber hammer or lightly tap with the back of a screwdriver. You don't want to hear any dull thuds around the chainplate or rigging attachments or deck & cabin top., etc. A lot of surveyors reports that I've seen weren't worth the paper they were printed on. A dirty boat is no big deal, but a badly neglected boat is another story. I would not buy a boat with sails or engine that need replacement. Sails are EXPENSIVE & what drive the boat. If they're worn out then keep looking elsewhere. There are a lot of boats out there for sale. As a comparison, I bought our 1980 C 30 a year ago with a bit of dirt & grime on her for $9k, but she had newer UK Halsey British made offshore grade sails & a rebuilt diesel. With new hull refinishing, cabin coushions replaced, & refinished teak she looks like a million bucks. Don't settle on the first boat you see. Shop around for comparisons, but sometimes I go back to that first boat & buy her. Trust your instincts & enjoy the hunt. This is my favorite thing to: bottom feed marinas for the next "god deal." Cheers.
 
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