There might be another reason that the water came in, at the front....the front hatch seal that "isn't".... the seal literally, is torn and there are pine needles that have gotten between the seal and the boat (they were both inside and outside the boat, in the seal slot, see photos).
I also found a few stanchion screws were loose, were a little bit backed out. I think it was one screw on 2 different stanchions.
My P30 stanchions were a bit of a disaster, I had to remove and inject as much epoxy as I could to firm up wet, rotted wood. As solid as that boat was, as a 1974, I could only do so much.
I finally figured out that if I cropped some of my photos, I could get below the 2.4MB photo issue here, so here are a few more, notably, the hatch showing the bad seal and pine needles, the crazed window, and some closeups of the stanchions that display not even light stress cracking.......and the mainsail....it was still crisp, and the cushions.
I asked Catalina Yachts about that window and he said that this happens and that it's not going to leak, but should be replaced "over some period of time", because it is weaker now, but that it was not urgent.
Last night, I was still in the same thought pattern as some of you all noted above. Oh, what the HELL am I thinking......especially after seeing all your responses, my P30 experience, and yes, Gene is right in that WK New Designs are not $2500-$4000 with motor and trailer.....Sometimes you can find one for $5-6k, but many have no trailers too. There is a nice one locally, outfitted real well, no trailer, for $5900.....kinda the norm in price locally for a New Design, WK.
I begin to question whether I want a "bargain" basket case (like I had with my Pearson 30.....pretty much the same story and beginning), or as I promised myself after that boat, "just go get one in good shape".
BTW, Gene, the standing rigging seemed ok. But, I do not for a minute, disagree with your cost assessment!! Likely, I'm at $5k before I bat an eyelash.
But, then, of course, I vacillate....well, maybe/why not? Especially since the seal on the front hatch is bad, and the boat hasn't been checked in likely along time.....but, that nagging question of spending $250 or more to find out it's a basket case doesn't warm my heart either. It's still $250 bucks or so!
I called the marina today and found out that after the boat was hauled out in August 2014, that the bottom paint was done after that, in October 2014......still more mystery here!
Their records show that the boat was hauled out.....but, she's not sure if that means off a trailer after being driven in, or out of the water (she thinks water, but not sure).
After that....bupkus, nothing in their records......they will do a monthly check on boats if you pay....not everyone pays, and this one...no.
I did receive a contact for a local surveyor that has been to the yard for other boats, and they recommend him. Since I'm not buying from them, I feel it's an ok reference.
So, I began to wonder if the boat got swamped by a hurricane/storm in 2014 timeframe? But, that's a bit of high drama... I think the high up mold/mildew is from the high humidity, and maybe some "run off" from the hatch, but, likely too, the chainplates and standing rigging. So the humidity causing some problems makes some sense to me. And regular old leaking for 4 years....
This is weird, but something about this boat interests me.....I think it's the price of course, for a great (design, etc.) boat, but also the fact that one of the group picked up on...it seems to have been cared for....IN ITS DAY. And, it's a WK boat. I had my P30 bacterially sprayed and cleaned, and the difference was amazing. Removing all the wood, not worrying about pretty interior, and doing the bulkheads, with potting the chainplate area, butyl the through deck stuff, etc. is enough work in the beginning.
Also, I wonder if the cabintop handholds have some waterleak issues? Even a little? I know that I removed and resealed my P30 ones.
Questions: Is the maststep removable and resealable? Not an epoxy type water damage/moisture repair, but a preventative maintenance "reseal"?
So, I've begun to wonder if I should look further at SK boats. A possible plan I have, somewhat to avoid slip fees and always in the water (James, York or creek to Chesapeake Bay, when we move to the Norfolk area) is to keep the boat in a dry slip, mast up, on a trailer, ready to splash, enjoy, and pull out each time we sail......like the powerboaters do! I likely plan to do this with WK or maybe, SK, with a trailer extension. That way, I'm not taking "family time" to raise and lower the mast each time, etc....NOT what I want to do. So, it's going to either a dry slip, mast up, or in a wet slip. A few of the marinas I've spoken to have waiting lists for dry slips, but that's something to deal with on another day....I have to get a boat first!
Gene, I hear ya about keeping a SK in the water all the time. Funny, alot of boats I see (without trailers of course), are SK at the pier/in the slip boats.......
I will likely contact the surveyor today and see if my "$250" is correct for a structural survey. I also asked the marina if they would assist with engine check, as the fuel in the tank is beyond varnish now.....also, likely the carburetor too, but maybe it'll crank and give some idea of whether it's ok or not to repair. The yard will do an initial check (compression, etc) for a 1 hour rate.
So now, with a little more "ammo", I plan to contact the seller again and ask some more probing questions on the water, damage, hauling, if he knows anything about it. I don't know if he bought it on the hard, after the previous owner had it hauled out????
WHEW!!!
and THANKS ALL!!!
Ok, fire away please