1975 C&C 33 - Mk 1: Compromised Deck Needs Help - Suggestions Please?

[Dnea]

I know it needs a lot of work and not quite sure of the scope or what the best options are. I want to do it right, I am in no hurry and will do the work myself.
Btw the deck is not soft, and doesnt appear to be leaking anywhere. The cabin does not smell like water damage.

Thanks!

 

[jssailem]

From what you show in the images, I would guess a previous owner (PO) had deck cracks or damage and did a minimum patch to get the boat sailing. On a boat that is 48 years old that is not a surprise.

I suggest you start watching some YouTube videos from BoatworksToday. Andy provides a good "How To" on fiberglass and deck repair.

I would be more questionable of the basic infrastructure and boat layout before shelling out money to buy it.
Key concerns that will bite a chunk out of your wallet

• Sails
• Hull condition
• Mast and rigging
• Auxiliary engine
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Rudder/steering system.
• Anchoring systems

If you can live with the costs associated with these systems (most of them on a 48 year old boat will need replacement/repair) and you still like the boat layout/design (plus... she talks to you as you walk towards the boat at the dock... "Hey jump aboard and take me sailing or loose me forever"),
then Go for It.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Not sure what your question is ... can't even tell if you are considering this for purchase or if you already own. There is a lot of grunge on the deck surfaces. I can't tell if it is peeling paint or damaged gelcoat. It looks like it might be a combination of both. I guess I would start by removing as much dirt and loose material as possible by just about any aggressive means. What are your intentions with this boat?

 

[Dnea]

Thank you both for your input - so this is a project boat candidate for me, havent acquired it yet. I own another sailboat thats in good shape and we sail it regularly on the Chesapeake but I enjoy fixing things as a hobby and like thios model. Ive just not seen a deck in this condition before and so wanted to hear what people thought on how to restore.

Hull appears quite sound - its solid fiberglass, nor cored. Will find out more soon - planning a haul out.

 

[Dnea]

js - I will look more into that Boatworks Today site, thx!

 

[rgranger]

This stuff is MAGIC

Put it in a garden sprayer and wet the entire boat … let sit, rinse and repeat on the stubborn spots … then you will be able to see the real condition of the boat.

 

[kloudie1]

Looks like anti skid paint was applied to the side decks and the pads on either side of the mast. The first step I think, would be to pressure wash the whole deck and cabin top being very careful to not hit any caulking around bedded items of deck hardware, like fixed ports, cleats, etc. I think that the anti skid could be hit hard and mostly removed with a pressure washer.. I have found that the little electric ones (Light Duty Pressure Washers - Harbor Freight Tools , or Sun Joe 1600 PSI Max 1.45 GPM 11 Amp Cold Water 4-Wheeled Electric Pressure Washer SPX3160 - The Home Depot ) Not endorsing, but they are good for boat cleaning. After an aggressive hit on the peeling stuff, you'd have a better idea of how to paint the deck and coach roof. Prolly the "roll and tip" method with a good paint would get her in top looking shape.. Not a trivial project.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

It looks like a lot of surficial damages or neglect that may not be so bad to recover. It's a good sign if interior rot doesn't appear to be significant. I would plan on expenses for replacing standing rigging and hardware for sure. But the winches look like they have been protected, only a few stanchion bases look like they might be compromised. For a project, it looks like it might be a pretty good candidate! Are you going to order a survey?

 

[Dnea]

Scott I think I will bite the bullet and spring for the survey (it would be $600 plus haul out $300) - if considering putting a lot of time into it, seems like a good idea. Even if the boat is low priced.

kloudie1 - I like your suggestion about the pwr wshing. Really appeciate it.

 

[Dnea]

Here are some more pics of the boat

for reference

 

[Dnea]

 

[Dnea]

 

[Dnea]

This stuff is MAGIC

View attachment 217060
Put it in a garden sprayer and wet the entire boat … let sit, rinse and repeat on the stubborn spots … then you will be able to see the real condition of the boat.

Thank you!

 

[rgranger]

A little arm-chair surveying .... On older boats you usually see some water stains (at the least) where the shroud chainplates bolt through the bulkhead. These look very clean. That is a good sign. I also don't see any issues where the compression post bolts through the cabin top nor around any ports. A pressure wash and some paint might just double your value...

If the underside is solid you might have a real (dirty) gem here.

 

[Dnea]

A little arm-chair surveying .... On older boats you usually see some water stains (at the least) where the shroud chainplates bolt through the bulkhead. These look very clean. That is a good sign. I also don't see any issues where the compression post bolts through the cabin top nor around any ports. A pressure wash and some paint might just double your value...

If the underside is solid you might have a real (dirty) gem here.

Thank you - I agree with fingers crossed No real sign of water discoloration on the cabin woodwork at all. And doesnt smell "musty", seems fresh. Its interesting because most of what I have seen of the cabin, bilge, chain plates, keel bolts etc looks like the PO cared for it pretty well(except for the deck which of course is not good)

 

[rgranger]

(except for the deck which of course is not good)

Trees .... are the enemy of a clean boat. I would not be surprised to learn this boat was docked next to a live oak or some other tree that mists sap all over the boat. I recently picked up a 19' stink pot with a Yamaha 115 that only had 40 hours on the motor... the boat was almost black with ick... the PO had parked it under a pine tree. I put some of that magic 30 second cleaner on the boat and I now have a nice boat with a new motor... won't tell you what I paid for it because I don't want you to hate me.

I'm hopeful that an afternoon of PW with some cleaners and you will be living large.

 

[High Current]

I would definitely remove, inspect, and re-bed that aft stanchion (first post) and inspect the chain plates (because they hold your mast up, not because there's anything obviously wrong); otherwise I don't see anything except cosmetic issues. Re-bedding is an easy job with bed-it tape; do a search for Maine Sail's posts on the topic. Having done some deck re-coring myself: it's not too difficult either if you have tools, space, and time, unless you want your repairs to be invisible.

Nevertheless, I'd spring for a survey. Only a moisture meter can tell you how much of the core is wet (it's almost certainly not "none" on a boat that age), and they can sound for delamination. I'd be more concerned about what's below the waterline anyway. A surveyor will also help you identify other things that need attention e.g. hoses. If nothing else you'll learn a lot about your boat.

 

[Dnea]

Yes I think the haul out will be telling - I have no idea yet what condition the bttm is in. Thanks

 

[CarlN]

The inside is so good that I suspect this is just a "miracle" deck coating that has failed. It will have to be sanded off and some new deck coating (with non-skid) applied.

But I would talk to the owner. Anyone who takes care of a boat that well will know the story of the deck. Are you sure it's not soft? Have you tapped it?

I'd assume that all the deck hardware needs rebedding. But that would be expected on a boat this age.

Frankly, I find talking to a knowlegable owner more useful than a typical survey. Few sailboat boat owners are going to lie just to sell their boat (would you?). They know the boat better than anyone.

You'll need to do a survey eventually, but I'd save your money until you get some of the obvious questions answered and think about your repair budget.

The only thing that hauling might show is a bad case of blisters - but again, I'd ask the owner if the boat's had blister problems and whether they were fixed.

 

[JBP-PA]

From the photos is pretty clear someone has redone the non-skid and now it is failing. Kloudie1 is absolutely correct, give it a good pressure wash and you will see where you stand. If you want it nice, you'll probably have to redo the nonskid again. Awlgrip non-skid is very popular, but there are a number of different options to choose from. In the Boatworks Today video series jssailem mentioned, Andy did a non-skid using sand and paint. You can also get ground up rubber that some prefer because it is softer than Awlgrip.