Hello Everyone, I am new to this forum and this is my first post. I am in the market for a used Catalina 30'. This will be my first monohaul boat. I am definitely green, so this forum will hopefully be a very valuable resource for me. I absolutely love these boats. I am currently looking at a 1984 Tall Rig that recently had a very high offer given to the owner. That is until the survey was done. The survey found some indications of some pretty serious repairs that may need to be done in the next few years. One was a crack in the bilge towards the port keel block. I noticed a small amount of water seeping from this keel bolt. Since this boat has the plywood support above the keel, I am assuming that this will need to be dug out and re-glassed. I was wondering if anybody had this work done and what the cost was? I am also wondering if this issue is commonly tied into the mast compression block issues seen in this fleet of boats? Another issue is the engine mounts. There seems to be some softness on the port side closest to the bow. Its really not bad, but you can see some minor flexing of the glass when you give the motor a good tug and push. Could this be a good candidate for drill, dry and fill to re-enforce? Another issue is in the anchor locker. There is some rotting of the deck from underneath from the locker door up to the bow. This affects the tightening of the port side lifeline pole at the bow. I am a machinist, so I could fabricate a support plate to attach up there to get by until the off season. I am hoping that I can address these issues over time in between seasons. I'm kind of in a situation where these issues make this boat affordable too me, and it makes sense if I can spread out the repairs over time. I just don't want to buy the boat and spend the whole season doing repairs. Any feedback would be much appreciated.
Buying a 30 year old 30
- Thread starter rlubera
- Start date
Many people have spent years and all their money attempting the repairs you describe. I wouldn't expect that boat to sail this year, if you have a limited season to start with don't waste it in a boatyard.
All three of these issues seem like pretty serious problems to me, the wet deck and the crack in the bilge potentially being more difficult and expensive to resolve than the engine support (it sounds like it is not the mount but the fiberglass base that is the issue). I personally think you are fortunate enough to have identified these problems now and I would look for a different boat. There are hundreds of Catalina 30s for sale at any one time and they are all almost completely depreciated at this point, meaning that the cost of a really good one is not going to be that much more (in the scheme of things) than a boat with the problems you are describing. I'd look for a boat without structural issues and a sound M25XP engine that needs some cosmetic attention to bring the cost down.
+1 on looking for something else.
We bought our C30 because she had good bones (none of the rot you describe) and just needed paint and an engine. She has been on the hard for 6 months now and hopefully will be in the water next week.
If we had a do over we would have spent three or four times as much and bought a boat in better shape. Rather be sailing than grinding away at issues.
We bought our C30 because she had good bones (none of the rot you describe) and just needed paint and an engine. She has been on the hard for 6 months now and hopefully will be in the water next week.
If we had a do over we would have spent three or four times as much and bought a boat in better shape. Rather be sailing than grinding away at issues.
I agree, why waste your money on this boat????? Buying always becomes an emotional decision, but you must ask yourself what other candidates have you looked at and if not, why not? Over 8000 of these boats have been produced and their must be hundreds if not thousands available for sale that will not only meet your budget but will be sound and sturdy without the type of issues you are describing. Walk away from this one! :naughty:
Bob
'88 Mark II
Bob
'88 Mark II
I am not sure if I was especially clear on the boats condition. I am assuming and anticipating that the keel will have to be addressed in the future because of the plywood. I would attach the picture that I have, but I don't own the boat. It is about a 3" crack in the bilge, very thin, but there was water seeping from near the bolts. Is this a safe assumption to you guys (the plywood will rot)? Also, there is no evidence of mast compression issues. Although I still need to see the boat with the mast stepped to make any further observations. Otherwise this boat is beautiful, cosmetically stunning. These beautiful boats can make you overlook some issues! I have looked at about a dozen so far 27's and 30's.
Lots of boats; few choices
I bought a 1987 C-30 in February of this year. Actually, we bought a hull, deck, and engine. There were exactly 2 available of the vintage we wanted, so there was really no choice. The difference between this and what you have described is that the boat was usable from the day we bought it. There were mandatory "fix-its" that needed addressing, but it was 2 weeks in the yard. All the rest is to bring the boat up to my standards of a boat.
Point is: you will spend the same amount of money for a newer boat than an older boat (on repairs and upgrades), so get something you can use and enjoy during the upgrade process. The boat you describe is probably not worth your time and money. Good luck.
I bought a 1987 C-30 in February of this year. Actually, we bought a hull, deck, and engine. There were exactly 2 available of the vintage we wanted, so there was really no choice. The difference between this and what you have described is that the boat was usable from the day we bought it. There were mandatory "fix-its" that needed addressing, but it was 2 weeks in the yard. All the rest is to bring the boat up to my standards of a boat.
Point is: you will spend the same amount of money for a newer boat than an older boat (on repairs and upgrades), so get something you can use and enjoy during the upgrade process. The boat you describe is probably not worth your time and money. Good luck.
It is really hard to tell how serious a problem is based on a written description. The water seeping near the keel bolts may just be loose nuts - an easy enough problem to solve. I guess my advice is that if you really love the boat, pay to get an experienced NAMS or SAMS surveyor to do a comprehensive value and condition survey. But do so knowing you may have to walk away from the boat based on what the surveyor tells you.
It'll probably cost you at least $5,000 per year to own that boat, if slipped, W/O the cost of the repairs you're describing. You'll have plenty of other things to "fix" besides those. Even the so called "cosmetic" repairs can be a lot of work and expense.
I would agree with the trend of all the above, walk away. I bought an 86 that everyone, including my surveyor said was immaculate. It was my first time buying a boat. Well $5K and 3 weeks of working on it I got most of the problems fixed. My biggest complaint was the surveyor lifted the bilge float switch which truned on the motor. What he didn't notice was that it didn't move easily. Later as I was scrubbing down the head and deck, water stared overflowing the bilge. The float swithch was up but not far enough to turn on the pump. Turns out that as water, from the packing gland filled up the bilge it rusted the bottom of the engine. All that to say a survey doesn't mean you will have a clear picture of everything you will need to address. As for the leaking keel bolts THAT is huge. Depending on how long it has been leaking it could be your engine mount is a result of the leak. Yes the plywood will rot and the keel can pull loose, usuallly at the worst time. You will have to have the keel dropped and the bottom of the boat rebuilt. There are others on here that have had to do it look for their posts as to cost and what was involved. I personally would consider that issue FIRST as I wouldn't consider the boat seaworthy. IMHO.
Brad W
SV Perfect Wind
San Diego
Brad W
SV Perfect Wind
San Diego
We, too, bought an immaculate boat. It still needed work.
Walk away from this one and find one that is "ready to go" or else you will regret it. WILL.
You asked here, them's the answers. The skippers here have BTDT and know.
For example, when you buy an immaculate boat, you will still have to consider the electrical system (older charger, batteries, alternator, etc.), water heater replacement and plumbing hoses, running & standing rigging, the curved traveler on older C30s, and a host of other things. With a "project boat" you still have to do these PLUS all the other crap.
Don't bother, there ARE good ones out there.
We spent a full YEAR finding our immaculate boat. Actually did that twice! Once for our C25 and then for our C34.
You're just getting started.
Good luck, happy hunting.
Walk away from this one and find one that is "ready to go" or else you will regret it. WILL.
You asked here, them's the answers. The skippers here have BTDT and know.
For example, when you buy an immaculate boat, you will still have to consider the electrical system (older charger, batteries, alternator, etc.), water heater replacement and plumbing hoses, running & standing rigging, the curved traveler on older C30s, and a host of other things. With a "project boat" you still have to do these PLUS all the other crap.
Don't bother, there ARE good ones out there.
We spent a full YEAR finding our immaculate boat. Actually did that twice! Once for our C25 and then for our C34.
You're just getting started.
Good luck, happy hunting.
Rl,
You would do well to heed the advice given here by the guys. Being new to this, beware of hearing terms like "A fixer upper" or "Project boat".
Would you want to buy a 30 year old car where the mechanic found serious problems?
It would behoove you to look for a newer boat in much better condition than spend two years trying to fix the more serious problems. While doing this, other maintenance items are put on hold & you will find that you are always playing catch-up.
I bought "A fixer upper" once & will never do it again.
CR
You would do well to heed the advice given here by the guys. Being new to this, beware of hearing terms like "A fixer upper" or "Project boat".
Would you want to buy a 30 year old car where the mechanic found serious problems?
It would behoove you to look for a newer boat in much better condition than spend two years trying to fix the more serious problems. While doing this, other maintenance items are put on hold & you will find that you are always playing catch-up.
I bought "A fixer upper" once & will never do it again.
CR