Catalina Smile

[Solace387]

I am under contract to buy a Catalina 387 build in 2007.
Today when i put on the hard stand i found a Catalina Smile starting from the aft side for about 1/3 of the lenght.
Everuthing seems rigid, no any sign of crash and bolt are tight.
What you guys thinking about?

Cheers
Marco

 

[Calif. Ted]

Marco, the infamous Catalina Smile was in reference to some early model 30's that were built differently from a 387. That appears to be a separation of the keel from the stub, keel is bedded in a compound to the fiberglass keel stub on the hull. The joint seen is normally covered by fiberglass or a fairing compound. The spot that appears to be rust is of concern because the only thing that can rust in that area is a keel bolt. It may be the result of improper blocking and support while "on the hard" , I'd definitely want the opinion of an expert shipwright on site. What did your surveyor think ?

 

[Solace387]

Thanks actually the surveyor today also had the same concern about the rust but all bolt are tight and very clean inside so no leackage.
He said is ok just dremmel and use gflex to cover it. What do you think?

 

[JohnVTX]

I would drop and rebed.

 

[Solace387]

Anyway showed around and also catalina all of them show no concerns.
Bought the Catalina 387 aamazing price...!!!

 

[Parsons]

My research on the Catalina Smile agrees with Calif Ted. It was a C30 issue (mainly) where the wood that supported the keel bolts deteriorated/dried, causing the separation in still torqued bolts. I have not heard of a situation where this did not start in the front, leading-edge of the keel. Essentially, the hull drops down allowing the keel to drop slightly. Catalina's have lead hulls, and stainless keel bolts (although we all know that some stainless can rust in the correct conditions). Also, this looks to be starting in the back, and you report no hard grounding. I'm not an expert, but I think that you have a worse problem. If my life depended on the keel remaining attached to the boat (as yours might), I would have it inspected by someone qualified, not cover it over with Bondo and hope.

 

[Solace387]

Inspected by 3 different engineers and also Mr.Warren from Catalina saw detailed picturs.
Stailess steel will rust after 10 years in salt water, any stainless steel.

 

[jssailem]

Stailess steel will rust after 10 years in salt water,

In my examination of Stainless metal on boats, I've learned that stainless will rust in fresh or salt water and lack of oxygen. It will look fine on the outside but rust clean away on the inside. Then fail catastrophically.
You ask about stainless steel, what are the keel bolts made of? If the boat had water in the keel on the bolts you could have a problem. I would follow the suggestion of rebidding the keel. Drop the keel inspect the bolts. Replace as necessary then rebed the keel.
Just me and my paranoia, If it's going to go wrong it will happen out there in the water.