Cockpit floor moisture

[Christovian]

Hi All,
I'm new to this forum. First post here. Looks like a good and helpful community.
So let me introduce myself. I was a terrible dinghy racer in college, but really enjoyed the sailing aspect of it. Not so hot on the racing though. I cruised here and there on and Island Packet 42 and a Catalina 30. Plan on moving onto a boat in the spring, and that brings me here.

I'm seriously considering a 1982 Catalina 30 right now, in fact I have a small deposit on it (not enough to keep me from walking away.) It seems like a great deal for the condition it's in.

My biggest reservation with it is the cockpit floor is extremely soft and bendy underfoot. From what I understand, this means the wood core has been moist for awhile and is now rotted. The seller says that the cockpit floor isn't structural. I personally agree. The only load it sees is people standing on it. It looks like the pedestal was not installed with a good seal, as the softness seams to radiate from it. So I believe that's the source of the moisture.
My main concern is that the cockpit floor is just a sign of more deck moisture I didn't find in my amateur inspection. Would anyone else share that belief?

Also, has anyone else tried to repair a soggy cockpit floor before? and how did that go?

Thanks,
Christovian

 

[Jumpstart]

I had the same problem on my C&C. Most likely plywood for core under pedestal and where rudder post is wet. Once the plywood is saturated it is done and needs replacement. About a $2500 job if done professionally.

 

[rardiH36]

Yes, I DIY repaired my spongy cockpit floor in 2007 upon the purchase of my 1980 Hunter 36. I wrote up my experience. I don't have time at the moment to search for it. Give me another 24 hours. Also, what may help you with your decision is the following book. I had it in hand for my initial self-inspection before deciding to make an offer on my first ever (and only) boat. The surveyor I subsequently hired didn't find anything that I didn't discover from the book's description and check list.

http://www.amazon.com/Inspecting-Sa...-Library/dp/0071445455?tag=duckduckgo-ffab-20

 

[DougM]

Without a doubt the core is saturated. It might be worth it to have a survey done to determine if there are other concerns. Your insurance company will probably require one anyway. Overall a Catalina 30 has a very good reputation and there are a lot of them. Other Catalina owners may be able to provide some further insight regarding other potential problem areas.

A number of people have successfully done core replacement. Depending upon your expertise and willingness to undertake the task, you could do it yourself. The other choices would be to negotiate a good price for the boat that would leave you with enough money to have the work done professionally, or walk away and find another boat.

 

[cb32863]

Ask yourself this..... Do you want to work on it or sail it?

 

[Gunni]

If you are truly serious get a composites expert to inspect the entire boat's deck core and laminate. Have a repair estimate in hand when you make your decision because this has to be remedied. My opinion - an owner that would let the deck core remain un-repaired just doesn't care ...about the entire boat. Why not buy a better boat that a lender would be willing to finance?

 

[Ken Cross]

Before you fork out money for a survey, you might try this:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-Reconditioned-Digital-Pinless-Moisture-Meter-ZRE49MM01/205002706

Mine wasn't reconditioned and cost a bit more but certainly paid for itself.

I purchased one and they work great to identify wet areas.

Ken

 

[rardiH36]

Yes, I DIY repaired my spongy cockpit floor in 2007 upon the purchase of my 1980 Hunter 36. I wrote up my experience. I don't have time at the moment to search for it. Give me another 24 hours.

Here is the link to the post I wrote about my DIY cockpit sole experience. One item to mention is that for my 1980 Hunter 36, the cockpit sole underneath/around the pedestal is segregated from the rest of the cockpit and quite small in area. Say 2' x 3'. The cockpit sole of many boats, even those a lot smaller than my 36' one, can span a larger expanse. = A much bigger project.

http://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/cockpit-floor.110232/#post-642721

 

[markwbird]

I would not buy a boat with a soft cockpit floor unless it was really cheap and then I would get a complete out of water survey to determine if the same issue existed anywhere else. Then, if it didn't I would price the repair before I bought the boat.

 

[njlarry]

Agree that a moisture meter would be a big help and weeding out boats before paying bigger bucks for a proper survey. Most boats of that vintage will have some wet spots. How is the rest of the boat. I recently replaced the pulleys under my a pedestal. It was very doable but a big PITA. I would not want to do it again. If you are also replacing the core even more work. However most older boats will need repair time that does take way from sailing time as was mentioned above.

 

[Siamese]

Let's not miss the point here. If you're seriously considering purchasing this boat, get it surveyed by the best surveyor you can find. Regardless of the purchase price, and even if it's free. Given your current level of knowledge, if you don't get a survey, and rely on that survey to guide you in whether or not to buy this vessel, you're going to get your hindquarters chewed into tiny little pieces.

 

[Bad Obsession]

Siamese has a good point. The wet cockpit floor may not be the only wet spot.

1982 Catalina 30 MKi possible issues also are:
Catalina Smile: Plywood was used in the bilge area where the keel is bolted the the haul. If water penetrated the fiberglass then the plywood would get wet and become compromised. This would cause a tell tale place in the front of the keel where it attaches to the hull known as the Catalina Smile.

Compression Post: The compression post in MKi was made of wood. It can rot. Tell tale symptoms are a depression at the deck-stepped mast. This is called a bird bath.

Wet Deck: Check for wet decks, especially at attachments of the rigging and any deck hardware.

Blisters: The older Catalina boats, especially in the 80s, were really prone to osmotic blisters.

Engine: This boat could have a Universal M25 engine. This is probably the best engine. It could also have an Atomic 4 or a smaller diesel.

A survey will check the general condition of the boat. The wiring is also before they used pre-tinned wire so that is something to be aware of.

 

[Christovian]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Very helpful.

Ask yourself this..... Do you want to work on it or sail it?

This got to the heart of the matter. Thank you. Since I graduated college and got good job, I've said a few times that I have more money than time. I got too caught in asking myself if I could do some repairs, instead of if I actually wanted to.

I want a boat to be with friends on, and to cruise the bay on. Better to save up money and buy a better boat. That deposit is worth the lessons learned. Not buying

 

[Bad Obsession]

The Catalina 30 is a good boat for Bay Cruising. I loved mine and miss her to this day. There are tons of them out there and they run the price range.

Get your deposit back. Don't forgo that. The person should be understanding about it.

Whatever you get, calculate extra expenses when getting a boat. You have dock fees, insurance, survey, documentation and/or registration, taxes, repairs, etc etc etc etc etc etc.....

Keep your eyes out and you may find what you are looking for.

 

[Gunni]

You are a perfect candidate for chartering. Have fun with no maintenance obligations, build your resume, and sail a ton of boats before you decide which one you want to take home.