22' Catalina for 250$

[kirbyc1goo]

Heres the deal, I know a guy who has a 22' Catalina thats in apparent good condition, but its mast and trailer have been stolen. I came across a 22' Catalina on craigslist with trailer, mast the whole 9 yards minus the sails. Apparently he had 5 others look at it and no one wanted it because theres a part on the deck that is soft, so he told me I could have it for 300$ (talked him down to 250$ ). I didnt hesitate because I knew I had a decent one floating that I could just throw the mast and trailer at. I went and took a look at the donor Catalina today and was surprised to find that its not near as bad as I thought it was going to be. With the inside being in good condition and the outside paint not to shabby. The only thing I noticed missing were the teak slats that slide in the companion way door, even with this there wasn't any water inside the boat.

SO my question is, how big of a deal is a soft spot about 9in long by 5in wide near the bow of the boat, and would it be worth fixing? I actually stood on it and felt safe, it just moved down some is all. Ill take some pics when I get it this weekend.

 

[kpgraci]

If that's all that's really wrong with it...sure. I'd check all the critical spots, chain plates, keel, mast step, transom, etc...but as presented it sounds like a deal. Nothing structural in the bow that concerns a soft spot, and something that small is very fixable anyway. Send pics.

 

[sinnettc]

I agree - heck, hook them together and make a catamaran! 8^D

 

[nightowle]

love the catamaran idea!!!! but seriously, don't worry too much about the soft spot. I bought my boat with a small soft spot at the bow and it hasn't gotten worse in 4 years; and would be relatively easy to fix if I felt like. I walk on that area all the time and never notice it unless I bounce a lot on the area. $250.....what a deal!!!

 

[kirbyc1goo]

Ok gents, here are the pictures. Take a look at the video and tell me if this hull is okay. I dont think it is, its obviously de-laminated. But how big of a deal is this? Seems like to me if it were to hit a dock hard enough it could puncture the fiberglass. Or are most catalinas from this era like this(1975)?

http://s965.photobucket.com/albums/ae135/kirbyc1986/Catalina/?action=view&current=DSCN1685.mp4

 

[1977oday22]

Just a thought.....
I'm going to have to say pass. From what I see, and having done restoration on both wood and glass boats, I can safely say that your looking at another 2k to get her fitted out (interior and out). For 2500 you can usually find a deceint, ready or just about ready sail worthy boat in fairly good shape, with sails, trailor or cradle, origional mast, and possibly an outboard. The deals are out there, be patient. Also, the Fall season is a great time to buy. Some folks lose interest, move on to a bigger boat....etc....
What area are you from? Look like the boat is from SC.
There should be some better deals.

 

[sinnettc]

Keep the mast & trailer, ditch the boat. If you DO decide to keep it, make sure you replace the cockpit drains with the bigger ones from Catalina Direct: http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=536

 

[kirbyc1goo]

Next question. How does one go about getting rid of a sailboat? Chainsaw and junkyard?

 

[Ken]

Where is this C22? While I'm not interested there others that might be. What is the sail #?

It is the coveted none pop-top that C22 racers are looking for. It does however have the front hatch but it's more than likely an added item for this year model.

The foredeck while seemingly intimidating can be repaired from the inside.

It also doesn't appear to ever have had anything done to the bottom, another good thing.

 

[kirbyc1goo]

It is in South Carolina. I dont believe its a pop top. Ill check when im head back out to it today. Sounds like a great idea posting on the catalina fourms, thanks

 

[Kermit]

You can also donate your boat to a non-profit agency. Makes for a tidy little tax deduction.

 

[Jimboyyy]

I would not worry about the hull flexing on the side. Most of the early C-22's flex to some degree, they tend to be better balanced than the newer ones and are therefore faster when outfitted for racing. What hull number is she?

 

[kenn]

That hull-flex in the video... do those boats actually have a cored hull, and that's delamination, or was that simply a thin hull?

I hate to see a boat like that filled with rainwater, but being a small boat it's still not that expensive to repair most damage, especially if you can do it yourself.

Our little boat had some rotted ply bulkheads from standing water, but it was not too hard to fix. However, our hull is is 1/4" or more thick, of SOLID fiberglass -no core- and darn near indestructible.

 

[OldCat]

You can also donate your boat to a non-profit agency. Makes for a tidy little tax deduction.

I believe that the IRS has tightened up on this. You only get as a tax deduction what was actually paid for the boat by whomever bought it from the charity. So, if the charity sells it for $50, then that is the deduction. I am not a lawyer or tax accountant, so I may be full of BS.

OC

 

[OldCat]

Next question. How does one go about getting rid of a sailboat? Chainsaw and junkyard?

I hate to say it, but I would bet that many of them sink at night in deep water. That may or may not be legal, but I bet it happens. Somehow this tends to happen in the middle of a restoration before the owner has re-installed the expensive hardware. It also only happens to owners who have a dink ready at hand, imagine how lucky that is.

If it happened on our local lake, the perp might have some explaining to do when the lake was drained.

OC

 

[Kermit]

I believe that the IRS has tightened up on this. You only get as a tax deduction what was actually paid for the boat by whomever bought it from the charity. So, if the charity sells it for $50, then that is the deduction. I am not a lawyer or tax accountant, so I may be full of BS.

OC

You're right. But this sounds better than trashing it completely. And the non-profit benefits from any amount they receive. (Maybe I shouldn't have used the word "tidy.")

 

[kirbyc1goo]

I would not worry about the hull flexing on the side. Most of the early C-22's flex to some degree, they tend to be better balanced than the newer ones and are therefore faster when outfitted for racing. What hull number is she?

Hull number 1376