I am looking at a 1983 C-30, standard rig, and would appreciate any info on what I should look for before buying. I am planning to get a survey but would like to do my own inspection first to decide whether to go to that next step. This boat was lightly used and is prety much the factory boat with no additons, i.e. original sails, tiller, no RF, no knot/depth, no dodger/bimini, etc. Any ideas on value or what a good price would be. Thanks.
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Allen
I just went through the same thing
Hey Mike, I just bought a boat in Mystic, CT--not too far from you. Mine is a 1977 that had tired but intact sails, Loran, depth, a ragged dodger, wheel steering, a totally blown motor and a good, clean interior. I picked mine up for $10k. After getting to know the boat for the last 4 months there are a couple of things I'd look for: 1. Starboard side chainplates & where stress would channel to the hull. The starboard side on these boats is a little weaker than the port, due to less bulkhead area on that side. Check under the seats to see if the fiberglass is showing signs of stress. 2. Check where the mast is stepped - both inside & out for signs of crazing or cracking. 3. Check the deck for crazing around the railings. Overall, I found that I needed to invest about $22k for me to get a boat that was perfect for me: a new genoa, new engine & a few odds & ends that were important to me. My philosophy is that I can spend about 15 to 20% over book value, including ALL improvements, for a boat that I'm going to keep for 4 to 5 years. That way I'll get a chance to use an ideal boat, get my money's worth & not take too much of a hit when it comes time to trade up. If you use a formula like that it's surprising how easy these financial decisions can be. It sounds like you've got some $$$ you're going to need to put into her. As you probably know, a sail, a dodger, some electronics and a few odds and ends can quickly add up to over $3,000. Overall I am completely thrilled with the purchase of my boat, but that's because I knew how much all of my improvements would cost. Be sure you add everything up & check your total investment against the BUC book.
Hey Mike, I just bought a boat in Mystic, CT--not too far from you. Mine is a 1977 that had tired but intact sails, Loran, depth, a ragged dodger, wheel steering, a totally blown motor and a good, clean interior. I picked mine up for $10k. After getting to know the boat for the last 4 months there are a couple of things I'd look for: 1. Starboard side chainplates & where stress would channel to the hull. The starboard side on these boats is a little weaker than the port, due to less bulkhead area on that side. Check under the seats to see if the fiberglass is showing signs of stress. 2. Check where the mast is stepped - both inside & out for signs of crazing or cracking. 3. Check the deck for crazing around the railings. Overall, I found that I needed to invest about $22k for me to get a boat that was perfect for me: a new genoa, new engine & a few odds & ends that were important to me. My philosophy is that I can spend about 15 to 20% over book value, including ALL improvements, for a boat that I'm going to keep for 4 to 5 years. That way I'll get a chance to use an ideal boat, get my money's worth & not take too much of a hit when it comes time to trade up. If you use a formula like that it's surprising how easy these financial decisions can be. It sounds like you've got some $$$ you're going to need to put into her. As you probably know, a sail, a dodger, some electronics and a few odds and ends can quickly add up to over $3,000. Overall I am completely thrilled with the purchase of my boat, but that's because I knew how much all of my improvements would cost. Be sure you add everything up & check your total investment against the BUC book.
J
Jeff Walker
Start with the archieves on this site
Hi Mike, There is a lot of good information on this boat that has already been written. I have an '83 Cat. 30 and the high dollar items will be the health of the engine, extent of blisters on the hull, corrosion at the rudder and internal brace, standing rigging and wooden spreader condition. I would go as high as $18K if the boat surveys well. I would deduct $2,500 for many blisters and walk away if the engine has major problems. Good luck, I love my boat and I'm sure you'll be happy if you buy one. Jeff
Hi Mike, There is a lot of good information on this boat that has already been written. I have an '83 Cat. 30 and the high dollar items will be the health of the engine, extent of blisters on the hull, corrosion at the rudder and internal brace, standing rigging and wooden spreader condition. I would go as high as $18K if the boat surveys well. I would deduct $2,500 for many blisters and walk away if the engine has major problems. Good luck, I love my boat and I'm sure you'll be happy if you buy one. Jeff
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John Buckham
What to look for...
Here are a few items to check (appx cost to fix) Check the keel bolts for rust. (4500 to fix) Check the bottom for blisters, a few are okay, you’ll know if you have a problem. Check the port lights for leaks (1000 to fix) Check the through hulls and valves. (2500 to fix) How’s the engine? Diesel? Atomic 4? The A-4 can be rebuilt.(4000) Repower=big $$$ (7000) Corrosion on the spars? How's the standing and running rigging? Check the hull-deck joint by spraying water at it and checking inside. Some seem to leak. Check the rudder for delamination. (1500) Check for the dreaded Catalina “smile”-keel hull separation (4500 to fix) Check the chain plate areas on the hull for cracking. Sail inventory OK? What shape are they in? (New sails about 3500) All the lights work? Shore power? Charger OK? Electronics? You said none, radio? VHF okay? Lifelines and stanchions? Just a few areas to look at before the surveyor does. It may take a surprising amount of $$$ (10-15K+) to get her into shape, depending on how good you want the boat to be and how run down she is. Good luck. You’ll love the boat.
Here are a few items to check (appx cost to fix) Check the keel bolts for rust. (4500 to fix) Check the bottom for blisters, a few are okay, you’ll know if you have a problem. Check the port lights for leaks (1000 to fix) Check the through hulls and valves. (2500 to fix) How’s the engine? Diesel? Atomic 4? The A-4 can be rebuilt.(4000) Repower=big $$$ (7000) Corrosion on the spars? How's the standing and running rigging? Check the hull-deck joint by spraying water at it and checking inside. Some seem to leak. Check the rudder for delamination. (1500) Check for the dreaded Catalina “smile”-keel hull separation (4500 to fix) Check the chain plate areas on the hull for cracking. Sail inventory OK? What shape are they in? (New sails about 3500) All the lights work? Shore power? Charger OK? Electronics? You said none, radio? VHF okay? Lifelines and stanchions? Just a few areas to look at before the surveyor does. It may take a surprising amount of $$$ (10-15K+) to get her into shape, depending on how good you want the boat to be and how run down she is. Good luck. You’ll love the boat.
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners
Geez, John!
Who the heck is working on your boat?! Those figures look like a high estimate if you have the yard do all the work. A port leak should only cost about $50 if you do it yourself! And unless the Catalina Smile is causing problems (the surveyor will tell you), it's not always necessary to fix it. BUT, these are good points to negotiate with. Great boat! LaDonna
Who the heck is working on your boat?! Those figures look like a high estimate if you have the yard do all the work. A port leak should only cost about $50 if you do it yourself! And unless the Catalina Smile is causing problems (the surveyor will tell you), it's not always necessary to fix it. BUT, these are good points to negotiate with. Great boat! LaDonna
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Tom Behrendt
Practical Sailor
Mike, The June 2001 issue of Practical Sailor has an article "What's She Worth?" which discusses values of used boats. The article uses Catalina 30s as an example and includes a graph of prices.It uses price guides from BUC and NADA and additinally includes the average selling prices. You may find the article interesting since you are in the market for a boat. From this graph it appaears that the average selling price for an 83 C-30 was $25K.
Mike, The June 2001 issue of Practical Sailor has an article "What's She Worth?" which discusses values of used boats. The article uses Catalina 30s as an example and includes a graph of prices.It uses price guides from BUC and NADA and additinally includes the average selling prices. You may find the article interesting since you are in the market for a boat. From this graph it appaears that the average selling price for an 83 C-30 was $25K.
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Michael gibson
You're right LaDonna
John, Mike's buying a boat, not building one! The catalina 30 is a solid boat. If you need to put 10-15K into it , find another Cat 30. There are tons of them around and many of them are in very good shape and have served their owners well. For me, I would check to see if your surveyor is going up the rig. if he inspects the rig from the deck, you my not find something that will haunt you later, like rotten spreaders (if you have wooden ones). Good luck.
John, Mike's buying a boat, not building one! The catalina 30 is a solid boat. If you need to put 10-15K into it , find another Cat 30. There are tons of them around and many of them are in very good shape and have served their owners well. For me, I would check to see if your surveyor is going up the rig. if he inspects the rig from the deck, you my not find something that will haunt you later, like rotten spreaders (if you have wooden ones). Good luck.
J
Jeff Walker
Thanks Tom, you made my day
Your $25K number makes me feel good about my '83 Cat. 30. I paid $22K for my boat in 1989 and it was in almost perfect condition. 150 hours on the engine and brand new sails. Sounds like I can sell it after 12 years of sailing and make a profit :>)
Your $25K number makes me feel good about my '83 Cat. 30. I paid $22K for my boat in 1989 and it was in almost perfect condition. 150 hours on the engine and brand new sails. Sounds like I can sell it after 12 years of sailing and make a profit :>)
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Rob Rich
Mike - how much of a handy man are you?
Most of the guys I know who own and love their boats enjoy working on them too. If you think you can handle this, then you can cut your bills down considerably. I will throw a few ballpark figures at you. Buying a 30 for 10 grand is a steal - for either you or the current owner. If the C-30 is in the shape I think it is in, it will need 20 grand to recondition it (shop rate). Your alternative is to do half the work yourself. The engine, rigging, and other hardcore stuff can be done by the yard. If I couldn't get a bill for less than 10 grand to do this, I'd walk away. The rest of the stuff you can do for the remaining 5 to 10k, depending on upgrades, etc. The key point here is that you will learn your boat in the process of working on her. That way, when something goes wrong, you won't be wondering what to do. You will know what's wrong, or at least have a good idea of where to start. I found that doing things myself built my confidence considerably. The more I know about by my boat and its systems, the more comfortable I become with her. Best of Luck! Rob
Most of the guys I know who own and love their boats enjoy working on them too. If you think you can handle this, then you can cut your bills down considerably. I will throw a few ballpark figures at you. Buying a 30 for 10 grand is a steal - for either you or the current owner. If the C-30 is in the shape I think it is in, it will need 20 grand to recondition it (shop rate). Your alternative is to do half the work yourself. The engine, rigging, and other hardcore stuff can be done by the yard. If I couldn't get a bill for less than 10 grand to do this, I'd walk away. The rest of the stuff you can do for the remaining 5 to 10k, depending on upgrades, etc. The key point here is that you will learn your boat in the process of working on her. That way, when something goes wrong, you won't be wondering what to do. You will know what's wrong, or at least have a good idea of where to start. I found that doing things myself built my confidence considerably. The more I know about by my boat and its systems, the more comfortable I become with her. Best of Luck! Rob
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Mike O'Rourke
78 verus 83
Thanks for all of the info. I think the 83 is in good shape but I'll want to add rf, wheel, electronics, etc. and I'm not sure if it's better to buy an older boat('78) with the upgrades or do them myself on the '83. The '78 has a rebuilt A4 and all the bells and whistles and is about the same price. Any thoughts? Is one hull better than the other? Rebuilt A4 v 21hp universal? Thanks.
Thanks for all of the info. I think the 83 is in good shape but I'll want to add rf, wheel, electronics, etc. and I'm not sure if it's better to buy an older boat('78) with the upgrades or do them myself on the '83. The '78 has a rebuilt A4 and all the bells and whistles and is about the same price. Any thoughts? Is one hull better than the other? Rebuilt A4 v 21hp universal? Thanks.
G
Guest
I'll vote for the '83
Hi Mike, I'll try to dodge some landmines pitting a diesel against a gas engine but I would go with the newer diesel engine boat just for re-sale potential. That assumes both engines are good and the hulls and rigging are in similar shape. Sounds like you really can't make a bad decision on either boat so have fun.
Hi Mike, I'll try to dodge some landmines pitting a diesel against a gas engine but I would go with the newer diesel engine boat just for re-sale potential. That assumes both engines are good and the hulls and rigging are in similar shape. Sounds like you really can't make a bad decision on either boat so have fun.
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Rob Rich
Tiller on a 30?
If it has a tiller, I'd leave that in place - prefer it over a wheel for the sake of feel, although I have never helmed a 30 with a tiller. Sounds like a blast though. If the A-4 is fully rebuilt, I'd have no reservations about it, as long has you have specific papers to that effect. I have a 79 that still runs perfectly - good engines if properly maintained. Just my 2 cents... Rob
If it has a tiller, I'd leave that in place - prefer it over a wheel for the sake of feel, although I have never helmed a 30 with a tiller. Sounds like a blast though. If the A-4 is fully rebuilt, I'd have no reservations about it, as long has you have specific papers to that effect. I have a 79 that still runs perfectly - good engines if properly maintained. Just my 2 cents... Rob
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glen sears
BUYING A CATALINA 30
HI MIKE LAST MONTH I SUBMITTED THIS VERY SAME QUESTION,EXCEPT IT WAS A 83 TALL RIG. IAM VERY HAPPY TO SAY IAM NOW SAILING THAT BOAT.IT ALSO HAD NO DODGER OR FURLING OR THE PERKS.BUT IT WAS A VERY CLEAN WELL TAKEN CARE OF BOAT. I SHOPPPED AROUND FOR A YEAR LOOKED AT AND INQUIRED AT MANY OF THESE BOATS. I FOUND THAT MOST 30S FROM 77 TO 80 RANGE FROM 15,500 TO 20,OOO. THE ONE WE FOUND FINALLY WAS A LOCAL FRESH WATER BOAT WHICH IS A PLUS. THEY WERE ASKING 25,000 AND WE PURCHASED IT FOR 20,000 A EXCELLENT BUY.HAD SURVEY DONE AND ITS VALUE WAS MID TO UPPER 20S, GOT LUCKY. LOOK AROUND ON THE WEB UNDER THIS MODEL AND YOU'LL FIND SEVERAL.IF YOU REALLY LIKE IT DO A SURVEY IT CAN BRING OUT SOME BARGINING POINTS. TAKE YOUR TIME AND LOOK AND ASK QUESTIONS IT PAYS OFF.I LOVE MY BOATAND WOULDN'T SELL IT IF SOMEONE OFFERED MUCH MORE. GOOD LUCK AND IF YOU HAVE ANY PATICULAR OUESTIONS E-MAIL ME AT GSAIL2001@AOL.COM
HI MIKE LAST MONTH I SUBMITTED THIS VERY SAME QUESTION,EXCEPT IT WAS A 83 TALL RIG. IAM VERY HAPPY TO SAY IAM NOW SAILING THAT BOAT.IT ALSO HAD NO DODGER OR FURLING OR THE PERKS.BUT IT WAS A VERY CLEAN WELL TAKEN CARE OF BOAT. I SHOPPPED AROUND FOR A YEAR LOOKED AT AND INQUIRED AT MANY OF THESE BOATS. I FOUND THAT MOST 30S FROM 77 TO 80 RANGE FROM 15,500 TO 20,OOO. THE ONE WE FOUND FINALLY WAS A LOCAL FRESH WATER BOAT WHICH IS A PLUS. THEY WERE ASKING 25,000 AND WE PURCHASED IT FOR 20,000 A EXCELLENT BUY.HAD SURVEY DONE AND ITS VALUE WAS MID TO UPPER 20S, GOT LUCKY. LOOK AROUND ON THE WEB UNDER THIS MODEL AND YOU'LL FIND SEVERAL.IF YOU REALLY LIKE IT DO A SURVEY IT CAN BRING OUT SOME BARGINING POINTS. TAKE YOUR TIME AND LOOK AND ASK QUESTIONS IT PAYS OFF.I LOVE MY BOATAND WOULDN'T SELL IT IF SOMEONE OFFERED MUCH MORE. GOOD LUCK AND IF YOU HAVE ANY PATICULAR OUESTIONS E-MAIL ME AT GSAIL2001@AOL.COM
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Dave
I have a 1983, please drop me a line
I have a 1983 C-30 Tall Rig. Please e-amil me offline at david.ullrich@ferguson.com
I have a 1983 C-30 Tall Rig. Please e-amil me offline at david.ullrich@ferguson.com
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