Considering purchase...but...wet core

[gfroch]

Hello-

I'm considering the purchase of a 1987 Catalina 30 Tall. It shows very nicely, has some nice upgrades... but... upon survey we found out the cabin top is saturated and the walkways are very wet. You would never know by looking, as there is only one small leak in the cabin. No soft spots, however the mast step has become compressed. The surveyor and a repair facility have both suggested that the cabin top HAS to be done and the walkways should be done soon as there are some "wobbly" stanchions.

Assuming we are able to get the price after repairs to equal the price we agreed on before the survey, I'm wondering if I should buy the boat. Again, it shows well and is nicely equipped BUT is it better because it will have a totally dry core (rare for this vintage) or worse because it had to be re-cored? It's a major job covering a lot of deck space. By the way, I'm confident in the repair facility to make the job look great. The non-skid will not be the original, but a close match as the original pattern is very expensive to duplicate.

Thank you and I look forward to reading your opinions.

 

[Jackdaw]

IF you can get the repairs professionally done and keep your asking price, its a good deal and the only thing you lose is the time lost sailing while the work is done. Finding a totally dry boat of that vintage will always be hard.

 

[Scotty C-M]

I might walk away. My thought is that when you get a job this big, and it is big, you often go beyond the estimate. That would eat up your savings. Also, are there other problems that might be hidden on this "problem" boat? I don't want to be negative, this might be the boat for you, but I'd be sure there weren't better deals out there. I've owned that vintage Catalina 30, and a 34 also (love the boats). Neither had that type of saturation. Good luck.

 

[Jackdaw]

To be clear, have the work done PRE-PURCHASE as a condition of purchase. You do not want any of the risk.

 

[centerline]

I agree with the previous replies....

an older boat that has been kept outside in a climate where it rains regularly will always show some degree of moisture within the core because polyester is not waterproof and over time moisture will penetrate towards the drier core.... this is normal.
(the boat that has sat outside in the dry desert air will have other problems that will probably be more serious)

but what you are describing is a saturated core, possibly from a leaking fitting or a crack...
personally I wouldnt want any part of it.

as it sits, an older boat that has extensive core damage is probably not worth the cost of the repairs, especially when there are so many available to choose from that are turn key boats with reasonable "selling" prices... you just have to search them out and not be afraid to make an offer that is reasonable to you....

if the repair is a hack job, the value of the boat will be less than before the repair attempt was made.

but then, if the boat with the wet core does get a quality repair, it may actually restore the value, but at the very least, still offer many years of good use.

value is sometimes not always a monetary thing...

 

[gfroch]

thank you

Thank you all for your input. I ended up buying the boat for the agreed price minus the cost of repairs. The repair shop found the problems not to be as bad as originally thought and a lot of local people smarter than me, with knowledge of these boats, told me this was a good one. I've been a Hunter sailor for 15 years, looking forward to the Catalina 30. I learned a lot from hunterowners.com and am sure I'll learn a lot here. Thanks again!

 

[Anonymous 121765]

GF,

Keep looking man......

CR

 

[kito]

GF,

Keep looking man......

CR

CR, too late.............he alreadybought it.

 

[dj2210]

gfroch- Welcome to the Catalina and good luck with the new boat. keep us posted on the repairs.

 

[gfroch]

Thank you Doug. Will do. Cheers... -gf-

 

[njlarry]

Congratulations. 1980 boats with perfect decks are rare. The real issue is not weather or not there are leaks but weither the moisture caused delamintion and rot. Your surveyor should know from sounding. Many people continue to sail their boats for years ignoring the leaks.
Hopefully you have a few deck leaks and just small areas that are rotted.
If everything else is sound you should be good.
keep us updated with pics.