WE FOUND A CATALINA 30 1983 WE WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE. WE WOULD LIKE ANY TIPS ON WHAT TO LOOK FOR AND HOW TO DEAL WITH A BOAT THAT IS ON CONSIGNMENT. THE BOAT SEEMS TO BE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY.WE WOULD LIKE TO AVOID THE HIDDEN COSTS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.IAM SURE ANY INPUT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL
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Daryl
To save money from hidden costs don't buy it!
Glen: If you want to really protect yourself against hidden costs, you really should NOT buy a boat. On the other hand if you realize what you are getting into. You should find a good surveyor that knows Catalinas. If they do a proper survey, it should protect you against any major problems. There are almost always unforseen things that will come up but that may be expected. Just remember a used boat is used and an '83 is very used. Sail, rigging, and systems do not last for ever.
Glen: If you want to really protect yourself against hidden costs, you really should NOT buy a boat. On the other hand if you realize what you are getting into. You should find a good surveyor that knows Catalinas. If they do a proper survey, it should protect you against any major problems. There are almost always unforseen things that will come up but that may be expected. Just remember a used boat is used and an '83 is very used. Sail, rigging, and systems do not last for ever.
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners
Surveyor
And don't just take the broker's suggestion on which surveyor to use - sometimes they're not legit or have a "vested" interest. Your insurance company would be the best bet since you'll have to submit the survey to them for coverage. You should also do a lein check. If the boat is documented, you can pay the USCG $25 to send you an abstract of title which shows anyone else listed on the title who might have a claim (say a bank). If the boat is moored in a marina as opposed to the brokers yard, check with the office to make sure there's not back moorage charges attached to it. If the boat is documented, you will have to pay the CG somewhere under $200 to transfer documentation, not to mention whatever your state marine board requires for title transfers. If you're concerned about what the broker might charge you, get it all in writing up front. Be sure to emphasize that you will not pay anything unless you approve it first and get THAT in writing with their signature. That should prevent any misunderstandings. Have fun! LaDonna
And don't just take the broker's suggestion on which surveyor to use - sometimes they're not legit or have a "vested" interest. Your insurance company would be the best bet since you'll have to submit the survey to them for coverage. You should also do a lein check. If the boat is documented, you can pay the USCG $25 to send you an abstract of title which shows anyone else listed on the title who might have a claim (say a bank). If the boat is moored in a marina as opposed to the brokers yard, check with the office to make sure there's not back moorage charges attached to it. If the boat is documented, you will have to pay the CG somewhere under $200 to transfer documentation, not to mention whatever your state marine board requires for title transfers. If you're concerned about what the broker might charge you, get it all in writing up front. Be sure to emphasize that you will not pay anything unless you approve it first and get THAT in writing with their signature. That should prevent any misunderstandings. Have fun! LaDonna
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David
Cat 30
I have surveyed quite a few of this model, primarily because so many were built. Generally speaking this model is a good value, however, every boat is different. Try the web site of the Society of Accrediated Marine Surveyors to find a couple in your area. They will work only for you. www.marinesurvey.org
I have surveyed quite a few of this model, primarily because so many were built. Generally speaking this model is a good value, however, every boat is different. Try the web site of the Society of Accrediated Marine Surveyors to find a couple in your area. They will work only for you. www.marinesurvey.org
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Steve Franklin
Engine survey, too!!
Some surveyors are VERY complete, others limit what they will do. I was pleased with my surveyor, but he refused to check spreaders and masthead, although this may be typical. He did not check the engine, either, except to determine make and model. If your surveyor isn't an engine man and doesn't do a survey of the engine, hire a mechanic (of YOUR choice) and spend a couple hours with him going over the engine. WELL worth the time, and it may eliminate some "surprises" later on. Hiring a rigger for a rigging "survey" is also an option. If you do that part yourself, just remember that the masthead is a lo-o-o-ong way up there, but it's a great view. Good luck!!
Some surveyors are VERY complete, others limit what they will do. I was pleased with my surveyor, but he refused to check spreaders and masthead, although this may be typical. He did not check the engine, either, except to determine make and model. If your surveyor isn't an engine man and doesn't do a survey of the engine, hire a mechanic (of YOUR choice) and spend a couple hours with him going over the engine. WELL worth the time, and it may eliminate some "surprises" later on. Hiring a rigger for a rigging "survey" is also an option. If you do that part yourself, just remember that the masthead is a lo-o-o-ong way up there, but it's a great view. Good luck!!
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Chris Gonzales
Survey is ok, but...
Glen, I recently purchased as '79 C30. I have owned 3 sailboats before this one and was new to a boat this old. I had her surveyed and the surveyor was accredited and reccomended. Still he missed much that I found later (and subsequently spent $$ on). I can tell you that I learned a LOT more about the boat I purchased AFTER I had her in my possesion. Later on even a well regarded boat yard missed much when on the hard for two weeks (and they had virtually carte-blanche to do whatever was needed). Email me at cg2chris@pacbell.net and I will be happy to share. Chris
Glen, I recently purchased as '79 C30. I have owned 3 sailboats before this one and was new to a boat this old. I had her surveyed and the surveyor was accredited and reccomended. Still he missed much that I found later (and subsequently spent $$ on). I can tell you that I learned a LOT more about the boat I purchased AFTER I had her in my possesion. Later on even a well regarded boat yard missed much when on the hard for two weeks (and they had virtually carte-blanche to do whatever was needed). Email me at cg2chris@pacbell.net and I will be happy to share. Chris
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Mike Turner
A Few Points on C30
I just bought an '81 C30, and am very happy with the boat. I certainly agree with everyone who's recommended a surveyor -- not just of the hull, but separate ones of the rigging and engine. If you can, be there to watch and learn -- my surveyor had a lot of very helpful hints. That said, here's a couple of things I'd watch for and talk to your surveyor about: * Check the deck immediately under the mast to see if it is compressed. It's quite common for the deck to be deflected 1/4" to 1/2"; Practical Sailor magazine says that they found the condition in almost every C30 they looked at. The compression itself isn't a deal killer, but beware of any cracking in the deck or in the hull liner around the compression post in the cabin -- that indicates more serious problems. Catalina has a great sheet on how this repair can be done -- I haven't had it done yet (mine's compressed about 1/4" or so) but I've spoken to some owners who have who say it's not too bad. * Along the same lines, pull up the cabin sole (the wooden hatch in the deck of the cabin) and check the wooden block at the very front of the bilge, under the compression post. You want to make sure it's not rotted out. Also check along the bilge by the keel bolts to see if the wooden liner is exposed (if the fiberglass has been worn away or damaged) and is soft/rotten. These are more serious problems that need to be addressed. * Make sure your surveyor checks out the steering linkages if the boat has wheel steering -- mine didn't, and less than a month after I bought the boat it broke, luckily at the dock. Also check the throttle and gearshift linkages for the same reason. And make sure the boat has, and you know how to use, an emergency tiller in case you have the same problem. These are just some high points to have your surveyor cover with you -- s/'ll have plenty of others you won't have thought of. I bought my boat knowing about the mast deflection and some softness in the lower mast step in the bilge and used those as bargaining tools in negotiating a price. The yard that did some work on the engine prior to closing the deal also found some problems with the prop shaft needing to be straightened, which also led to some price adjustments. Good luck! Mike Turner S/V Amity Long Beach
I just bought an '81 C30, and am very happy with the boat. I certainly agree with everyone who's recommended a surveyor -- not just of the hull, but separate ones of the rigging and engine. If you can, be there to watch and learn -- my surveyor had a lot of very helpful hints. That said, here's a couple of things I'd watch for and talk to your surveyor about: * Check the deck immediately under the mast to see if it is compressed. It's quite common for the deck to be deflected 1/4" to 1/2"; Practical Sailor magazine says that they found the condition in almost every C30 they looked at. The compression itself isn't a deal killer, but beware of any cracking in the deck or in the hull liner around the compression post in the cabin -- that indicates more serious problems. Catalina has a great sheet on how this repair can be done -- I haven't had it done yet (mine's compressed about 1/4" or so) but I've spoken to some owners who have who say it's not too bad. * Along the same lines, pull up the cabin sole (the wooden hatch in the deck of the cabin) and check the wooden block at the very front of the bilge, under the compression post. You want to make sure it's not rotted out. Also check along the bilge by the keel bolts to see if the wooden liner is exposed (if the fiberglass has been worn away or damaged) and is soft/rotten. These are more serious problems that need to be addressed. * Make sure your surveyor checks out the steering linkages if the boat has wheel steering -- mine didn't, and less than a month after I bought the boat it broke, luckily at the dock. Also check the throttle and gearshift linkages for the same reason. And make sure the boat has, and you know how to use, an emergency tiller in case you have the same problem. These are just some high points to have your surveyor cover with you -- s/'ll have plenty of others you won't have thought of. I bought my boat knowing about the mast deflection and some softness in the lower mast step in the bilge and used those as bargaining tools in negotiating a price. The yard that did some work on the engine prior to closing the deal also found some problems with the prop shaft needing to be straightened, which also led to some price adjustments. Good luck! Mike Turner S/V Amity Long Beach
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Craig Coffman
agree with Chris, Survey is Good, BUT
They can miss stuff too. My boat got a clean bill of health (I only had the hull surveyed, not the engine or rig). The hull was & is sound & had no blisters (a few on the rudder), but there were certainly quite a few things that I would've thought the surveyor would have caught that he didn't. He did list all the obvious problems (ripped cushions, lights that didn't work, etc) that I either knew about or could have found myself, but missed some other more latent problems that I was depending on the surveyor to catch. As Chris said, you'll find out more yourself after you've spent time on the boat. My lesson was: Get the survey done, but go over it yourself as well, before, during & after the survey. -- Craig Coffman S/V "Winds of Change"
They can miss stuff too. My boat got a clean bill of health (I only had the hull surveyed, not the engine or rig). The hull was & is sound & had no blisters (a few on the rudder), but there were certainly quite a few things that I would've thought the surveyor would have caught that he didn't. He did list all the obvious problems (ripped cushions, lights that didn't work, etc) that I either knew about or could have found myself, but missed some other more latent problems that I was depending on the surveyor to catch. As Chris said, you'll find out more yourself after you've spent time on the boat. My lesson was: Get the survey done, but go over it yourself as well, before, during & after the survey. -- Craig Coffman S/V "Winds of Change"
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