catalina 30 purchase

[coach]

I'm considering purchasing an 83 Catalina 30 tall rig with diesel. Any hints on what esoteric problem areas I should look for? It's been 15 years since my last boat.

 

[Matt Blender]

Response to catalina 30 purchase

Undoubtedly, you will get a number of responses to your post with all kinds of ideas. First and foremost, get the services of a good marine surveyor and let him do a thorough survey on the boat. And go along with him if at all possible. It's going to cost you, so you had better be pretty sure of the boat you want before spending the money. A few things to think about are the hours on the engine and whether it has had good maintenance. Does the owner have good maintenance records? What is the condition of the hull? Are there leaks through the deck hardware? Does the instrumentation work and how up-to-date is it? What is the condition of the sails, the standing and running rigging? Condition of the water, holding and fuel tanks? Etc, etc. None of these things will necesarily disqualify the boat, but you need to keep in mind how much are you willing to put into the boat once you've bought it and how will that affect the price. A good surveyor should be able to tell you a fair price for the boat and you should be able to estimate the repair costs, if any, from his report by checking with a couple of yards. Good luck. Matt Blender

 

[rick peacock]

buying a 30" cat. tall rig

Check the BOTTOM for any signs of osmotic blistering #1, check the shrouds, for any signs of fatigue#2, and check the engine very closely, ( Ask for any records for oil changes, etc. ) BUT CHECK REALLY CHECK THE BOTTOM because that was a very expensive problem I had after purchase. Good Luck, Rick

 

[coach]

thanks Rick

Thanks for the info on osmotic blistering. The broker mentioned something about another potential buyer backing out of buying the boat for (I think) that reason. Can you give any specifics on the problem? I'll start researching info on the problem and talk with the broker again. I'm not sure if the boat has that condition or if the buyers used it as an excuse to not purchase.

 

[rick peacock]

catalina purchase

This is my second response to your ??? I don't know many surveyers that will climb the mast, but that is what it takes sometimes to determine the condition of your shroads!! Also, back to the osmotic blistering... When I bought and surveyed my 30' catalina the bottom did not look to bad,,( had a few approx. 2" dia. blisters. Well 3 months later when I pulled it to do a bottom job, it was like they multiplied liked rabbits, which in the end, I spent around $600.00 just for the repairs, which if you repair a blister problem correctly, you should leave the boat out of the water long enough for the areas to dry, ( moisture meter), which could be several months. I just did a temp. fix is what I call it. Check to see when his last bottom job was and see if you can, what repairs, if any they did. As far as hours, diesels are very reliable, when taken care of, Just trying to help, so someone else does not get something that was not mentioned or kept from you,,, GOOD LUCK, Rick