Contemplating buying C30

BillyK · Feb 5, 2012

Look at the compression block in the bilge.. I have a 90 c30 an the block was rotted to the point of being mud.. So pay attention to that area.. It's the biggest job I had to do to mine so far.. All the standing rigging through deck points were leaking on mine along with the one of the port holes.. There was also water getting down through the mast step. The point here is to pay attention to all the deck points of water ingress. If you have any questions on the 90 c30 pm me.. I've pretty much torn mine down to the hull and replaced most of the systems..

Bad Obsession · Feb 5, 2012

My 1990 has quite a few upgrades. I bought it in 2004 in the mid 30's. $29K seems to be normal if the boat is in good shape with low engine hours. $19K seems low to me but that would be for a boat in BAD shape.

I would consider splitting the difference between the 29K and the 19K for the offer. If you offered that low you may insult the owner.

Anonymous 121765 · Feb 7, 2012

DJ,

I just read your question and can say my C30 (1980) when purchased, needed ALOT of work too. My previous boat was a C22, so it's expenses were alot less. I listened to someone who said "buy a fixer-upper, you will save purchase money and can improve the boat as you go".

Thru experience, I can tell you IT WAS A MISTAKE. Sure, you can get a cheaper purchase price but at what cost eventually? Unless you are an expert at self-surveying and what total price for all the needed work will be, I can promise you will eventually put out 50% more than you estimated. And, all the while you're doing the upgrades, the normal maintenance will suffer and you will find yourself doing "catch-up" for maybe the next 2-5 years.

My suggestion to you is to have a "pre-inspection" done first with owner approval. I'm sure you know of someone who REALLY knows boats to look at it with you first. In the past month alone, I looked at 3 boats for people with little experience in boat buying. Guess what, after going over these boats, I talked all three out of investing any money for survey, haulout etc. The condition of the boats didn't warrant it. After their disappointment waned, they thanked me for listing all the problems and what the cure price would be (they were shocked with the estimates). By the way, these were all FIXER-UPPERS.

Boats built in the nineties-up are a hundred years advanced in engineering techniques than boats built in the '70's & '80's. It sounds like you've already gone thru the pains of upgrading a project boat, are you sure you wanna go thru that again? Sure you may save 6 grand on the front end, but what about having to sink an additional 10 grand maybe more to get it right?

That being said, my advice to folks, is that if you can afford it, get the boat that's right for you. Yea, you'll pay out more up front, but will save on time, and sweat equity. Wouldn't it be great to buy a NICE boat that you can enjoy sailing immediately, WHILE Doing the small upgrades as you go.

Some will disagree with me on this, but that's what opinions/suggestions are for...........

Good luck, but remember to do the pre-survey first....

CR

cat30 · Feb 7, 2012

buying Cat30

I see prices for some of the Cat 30s you guys are discussing- i cant believe you would pay $19,000 for a 20 year old boat that needs work and parts; and someone would be insulted to get an offer for $19?

rpell1@msn.com · Feb 7, 2012

The asking price is affected by the area of the country......In the tri-state area, (NY,NJ & Conn), 4 years ago, a '91 C30 MkII SR was going for $36,000 to as high as $40,000. I bought mine in Georgia for $30,000. NADA Book price is really only a guide and boat condition will impact the price more than you would think. Rigging and sails may be original, but if maintained, (unless you're racing), do not necessarily need replacing. Minor leaks will appear on almost every boat, regardless of what we owners swear by. Instruments were operational, but not upgraded. The boat was beautifully maintained. There was very little that needed to be done......But, over the 3 1/2 years I've had her, I've spent about $3,000 in upgrades and improvements....I am VERY happy.

Bottom line....If you're looking at what you have to invest after the sale, then concentrate on what MUST be done, immediately. Not what you would LIKE to do. You will have plenty of time to do those "projects" to make the boat yours.

Good Luck and Happy Sailing..........

dj2210 said:
Hello Sailors
We currently own a 82' C27 which I have updated and invested considerable time and money. Nothing new there but there is a 1990 C30 TR that has come up for sale in our marina. I looked at it briefly without looking in every nook and cranny. The boat has not had any upgrading that i can see. The standing rigging and sails are original. The Universal XP has 500 hours. It looked relatively clean and was told it runs by the marina.
The cushions while not in bad shape need washing. I didn't get to look in the bilge because of one piece carpeting and would have to take the table off the pedestal. I did see water in the cubby behind the starboard settee. Stanchion leaks?
There are no instruments that I saw although there is a cable with plug at the wheel and a wind masthead unit.
The Bimini was folded so didn't get to see the condition. The outside teak while not in bad condition does need re-finishing. I'm sure everything needs re-bedding. The bottom was done 2 years ago with only 3 hours on the engine during that time according to the marina meaning it hasn't been taken out much in two years.
The Nada price is around $19k for low retail. The owner is asking $29k. I think I would have to put $6-8k minimal into it. I was thinking of offering $12-14k providing I don't find any surprises. I would also have 2 slip rentals until the 27 sold.
What do you think?
Doug

rpell1@msn.com · Feb 9, 2012

That crack appears to be from something, very heavy, being dropped on the deck. It MAY only be gelcoat damage........But, it could go deeper? I would be tempted to have it opened up to see how deep it goes.. But, that's me!

dj2210 said:
All good comments, thanks. I my case I don't have alot of money to put out initially. If I did i would be looking at boats 10 years old or newer. Here is a picture of some deck gel coat crack that looks bigger than what I'm use to on my C27. I didn't notice it until looking at the pictures I took. Any opinions on this?

mortyd · Feb 9, 2012

where do you sail from sheepshead bay?

jrowan · Feb 9, 2012

If U look for a C 30 just a few years older in the mid 1980's vintage then the price range should come down to the range your willing to spend. Don't buy the 1st boat U see, or one that's in your marina just because its convenient. I personally would also sell the current boat that I have before trading up to something bigger. You can take a real bath paying for two boat slips, insurance, taxes & upkeep. U can also only sail one at a time anyway. All boats go through some periods of neglect as most sit for 6 months of the year in winter not being sailed. But I would not buy a boat that didn't have a sound diesel or good sails. These are high priced items and the most necessary. I bought my 1980 C 30 for 9k with a rebuilt engine & UK Halsey sails. I had to completely replace the interior cushions, etc. but there's always something that needs work on a sailboat.
A lil' mildew & musty smell can bring down the price by thousands. PS. Most C 30's have some water in the bilge, as the stuffing box etc. drip and the bilge pump never gets it all out do to the minimum float level activation.

rpell1@msn.com · Feb 10, 2012

I'm a long time member of the Varuna Boat Club.

Are you familiar with the Bay?

mortyd said:
where do you sail from sheepshead bay?

mortyd · Feb 10, 2012

when i was a kid my parents went to randazzo's almost every week, but i preferred, and still do gargiulo. i just never thought of the south shore as sailing territory. come and vist on city island any time. i belong to harlem yacht club. better yet, contact me at mortyd@nyc.rr.com.

rpell1@msn.com · Feb 10, 2012

Well, Randazzo's is still here and so are several other good restaurants. Liman has excellent fish, il Fornetto has great food, Maria"s is still good and there are a few "new age" type fusions as well. Sheepshead Bay empties out to the NY Bite and we have two more Clubs that also have some sailors: Miramar YC and Sheepshead Bay YC. Once out of the Bay, you can sail west to the Verranzano, South to Sandy Hook (and turn left for the Atlantic), Southwest to Staten island and if you're adventurous, East into Jamaica Bay. (But there are alot of shallows).

Thank you for the invitation. I will look you up the next time we hit City Island. Of course, you are welcome to visit us in the Bay. Just let me know when you're coming (via boat or car) and I will make arrangements to accommodate you.

In the meantime...Happy Sailing (the sooner the better).

mortyd said:
when i was a kid my parents went to randazzo's almost every week, but i preferred, and still do gargiulo. i just never thought of the south shore as sailing territory. come and vist on city island any time. i belong to harlem yacht club. better yet, contact me at mortyd@nyc.rr.com.

mortyd · Feb 10, 2012

keep my email. it's just that those of us who sail longggisland sound, also known as the dead sea, are spoiled by all the places we have to go. and with relatives in dyker heights i still go to gargiulo. capi?

rpell1@msn.com · Feb 10, 2012

Well understood. We in the Bay are jelous of the Sound regarding all of the places you have that are accessible by boat. Over the last 10 years, the Bay has become more desirable to sailors mainly because of our average constant, 8-12 knot breezes. There was a time when THERE WAS NO WIND in the Bay............Now there are more times than not when we actually have to reef. This is especially true outside of Rockaway jetty and south onto the Atlantic. I actually sold my Chrysler 22 to move up to a bigger boat so that I could do more sailing. And, by the way.....just an FYI......the old man at Gargiullo was a member at Varuna for many years, up to when he passed on. Next time you go, ask about us. They will probably remember. Anyway, I have your e-mail. Mine is rpell1@msn.com So, feel free if you need some info or just want to chat.

mortyd said:
keep my email. it's just that those of us who sail longggisland sound, also known as the dead sea, are spoiled by all the places we have to go. and with relatives in dyker heights i still go to gargiulo. capi?

Contemplating buying C30

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