I am getting ready to buy my first sail boat a 30' 1990. Is there any thing that I should look at before the survayer gets a look at the boat.I haven't set a sale price yet. Any help would be great Thanks
Catalina 30 1990
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Suds
I am no expert but if your taking anyones advice I would think about the draft of your 1st boat.The Cat 30 is a beautiful boat but it might draw a bit of water. If the east coast of Florida is like the west coast of Florida it would be something to think about. Good luck, Jack
I am no expert but if your taking anyones advice I would think about the draft of your 1st boat.The Cat 30 is a beautiful boat but it might draw a bit of water. If the east coast of Florida is like the west coast of Florida it would be something to think about. Good luck, Jack
Test drive it.
Suds Its a big purchase and a big resposibility. When I brought my 380 I was just over the moon, it was only 3 years old so I didn't worry to much about checking it out. The owner took me out for a sail in little or no wind. 1st mistake I should have insisted on a sail in 20 knots. 2nd mistake I should have checked all the electrics and compared with other yachts and prices. My boat had only the basics so I had to spend more money on auto pilot etc. 3rd mistake the prop. make sure you have a good folding prop. They are very expensive. A good survey will tell you all about the condition of the hull and rigging etc, make sure you read every word. Check the condition of the sails, being 15 years old its probably had a few sets. Also check the service history of the engine and rigging. Basically don't let the excitement of a beautiful Catalina cloud your decision making because you are buying a boat that needs to protect you and your friends when on the water. I have never had a problem with my Boat, she is beautiful and I wouldn't trade her for anything. I just paid to much for her. Good Luck.
Suds Its a big purchase and a big resposibility. When I brought my 380 I was just over the moon, it was only 3 years old so I didn't worry to much about checking it out. The owner took me out for a sail in little or no wind. 1st mistake I should have insisted on a sail in 20 knots. 2nd mistake I should have checked all the electrics and compared with other yachts and prices. My boat had only the basics so I had to spend more money on auto pilot etc. 3rd mistake the prop. make sure you have a good folding prop. They are very expensive. A good survey will tell you all about the condition of the hull and rigging etc, make sure you read every word. Check the condition of the sails, being 15 years old its probably had a few sets. Also check the service history of the engine and rigging. Basically don't let the excitement of a beautiful Catalina cloud your decision making because you are buying a boat that needs to protect you and your friends when on the water. I have never had a problem with my Boat, she is beautiful and I wouldn't trade her for anything. I just paid to much for her. Good Luck.
Survey
The price needs to be set prior to the survey. Don't want to pay the surveyor, want the boat and find out it is way over priced. Follow the surveyor around with a notebook, ask lots of questions and take lots of notes. You will learn a great deal about your boat.
The price needs to be set prior to the survey. Don't want to pay the surveyor, want the boat and find out it is way over priced. Follow the surveyor around with a notebook, ask lots of questions and take lots of notes. You will learn a great deal about your boat.
Pending ...
Negotiate a price first. The offer should be Pending Haul-out, Survey, Rig Inspection and Sea Trial ... in that order. It gives you the option of walking away at each stage. The surveyor should be present for the haul-out. If you see something gross like the keel falls off or the rudder bent 20 degrees or huge blisters, you pay the surveyor only for their travel time and the yard for the haul and walk away. If it looks ok, the surveyor inspects the boat and sends you a report. Take the list of faults (if any) and get an estimate of repairs. The seller has the option of reducing the price or making the repairs. Any repairs that are needed for the boat to be insurable are the owners responsibility, other items can be negotiated. If you still have a contract, get a rigger out to survey the rig (many surveyors only do a visual from the deck). Negotiate the costs of any needed repairs. Finally, do a sea-trial. Make sure that you like how the boat sails, motors etc. A 1990 boat is 15 years old. It probably should have new standing and running rigging and other things like hoses and engine drive belts may be at the end of their service life. You should be able to reduce the price by the cost of needed repairs and maintenance. In many cases the price comes down buy much more than the cost of the survey and inspections.
Negotiate a price first. The offer should be Pending Haul-out, Survey, Rig Inspection and Sea Trial ... in that order. It gives you the option of walking away at each stage. The surveyor should be present for the haul-out. If you see something gross like the keel falls off or the rudder bent 20 degrees or huge blisters, you pay the surveyor only for their travel time and the yard for the haul and walk away. If it looks ok, the surveyor inspects the boat and sends you a report. Take the list of faults (if any) and get an estimate of repairs. The seller has the option of reducing the price or making the repairs. Any repairs that are needed for the boat to be insurable are the owners responsibility, other items can be negotiated. If you still have a contract, get a rigger out to survey the rig (many surveyors only do a visual from the deck). Negotiate the costs of any needed repairs. Finally, do a sea-trial. Make sure that you like how the boat sails, motors etc. A 1990 boat is 15 years old. It probably should have new standing and running rigging and other things like hoses and engine drive belts may be at the end of their service life. You should be able to reduce the price by the cost of needed repairs and maintenance. In many cases the price comes down buy much more than the cost of the survey and inspections.
of course a good survey is necessary, after that the boat in excellent condition should be about 35k for standard stern, 40k for a walk thru. it's a wondeful boat, if you get the right one.
First time buyer
I bought a 1990 this year in June and really have enjoyed sailing the 30ft catalina. I bought the boat from a broker and had it surveyed. The survey wasn't specific enough and lacked details because the boat was on the hard. While under way I found myself with faulty depth and knot gages and unchanged fuel filters which were a problem immediately. I suggest you take the boat out for a test sale and have a veteran sailor with you to ask all the right questions and inspect all mechanical and structural components.
I bought a 1990 this year in June and really have enjoyed sailing the 30ft catalina. I bought the boat from a broker and had it surveyed. The survey wasn't specific enough and lacked details because the boat was on the hard. While under way I found myself with faulty depth and knot gages and unchanged fuel filters which were a problem immediately. I suggest you take the boat out for a test sale and have a veteran sailor with you to ask all the right questions and inspect all mechanical and structural components.
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