Finance a 38-year-old sailboat?

[shemandr]

In the spirit of tough love: I would not choose a boat based on the electronic package. If I had a choice between a larger well found boat and a smaller well found boat with a whiz bang electronic package, I would choose the former.
With regard to the fresh bottom paint: Is that fresh paint over a gnarly bottom or a real bottom job I.e. stripping the former bottom paint at least to a smooth bottom, maybe a barrier coat and then bottom paint. One of those I would pay a premium for. Not the lipstick on a pig. I would not buy a sailboat with a gnarly bottom if I were buying the boat to sail. A real bottom job on a 30’ foot boat is worth 3 to 5 K maybe more locally.
The new main is nice but for a masthead boat I’d rather a new jib.
The OP would be better served by making sure the deck, mast step, standing rigging, cutlass bearing, keel and keel bolts, thru hulls and engine are sound. That’s where the major risks and potential expenses are.

 

[Spindrift NH]

In 2012 I bought, with a bank loan, an ‘88 Catalina 30 mkII tall rig for $24,000. Over 3 years of ownership I put about $2,000 in it for repairs then sold the boat in 2015 for $24,000. At that time I had paid off most of the loan so had cash in pocket to purchase my next boat. For me it was a win. 10 years later there’s no way I’d pay $24,000 for that same boat, you should be able to get that price down.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

15-20k seems more appropriate for a C30 in my area. Talk to brokers and see if you can get one to work for you and ask them what the typical selling price of the boats in your area is.

So long as your tank has a modern OPD valve, you shouldnt have an issue refilling it. It may need to be re-certified. Look for a propane supplier in your area. The one I use swapped my valve, recertified and filled my tank for around $60. They're the type of place that also services whole house tanks. You can also buy a new one if all else fails

 

[dlochner]

So long as your tank has a modern OPD valve, you shouldnt have an issue refilling it. It may need to be re-certified. Look for a propane supplier in your area. The one I use swapped my valve, recertified and filled my tank for around $60. They're the type of place that also services whole house tanks. You can also buy a new one if all else fails

The OP said the boat had CNG not propane. CNG has a whole set of problems with filling the tanks and converting the system to propane. I wouldn't purchase and older boat with CNG if I planned to do any cruising or cooking on board. Replacing the CNG with Propane is expensive and can be difficult due to the requirements of installing a propane locker.

 

[william24424]

Seeing these boats...I can't believe more people don't sail! Especially younger folks, to have a place on the water, for less than the price of a car?! I've asked my neices/nephews who spend more on pay tv than they would on a mooring "Why?" and the answer usually comes down to just "I can't afford that" they gamble on their phones, pay $18 a drink, Doordash $50 for a milkshake, rent expensive apartments in the center of city, monthly car payments could probably put them in a slip lined with gold.

They love sailing with me but comments like "Must be nice" and "If I had the money, I'd buy that center console with 4 Six hundred horse outboards, & "Why do you drive an old truck, with 300k miles & dents?" are getting old, like me.

I'm going to point them to yachtworld site. Sorry for going off topic. & Thanks for putting me in boat search mode.

 

[FastOlson]

Regarding the galley fuel -- whether propane or CNG, either has industry/safety (and insurance) recommendations to replace the whole hose system every xx years.
Thousands of 80's/90's boats are out there with unmaintained systems. Sadly.
Unless the seller has documentation to show when these parts were last changed out, just plan on replacing them, factor that into the offer.
Aside: we were very very lucky and not knowledgeable when we bought an '88 model boat with a factory-installed Origo 6000 model galley range. NO pressure, little risk, and uncomplicated cooking/baking. Worth seeking out in the used market, and converting, IMHO.

Matter of fact, here is a good looking one: Boaters' Resale Shop of TX 2507 0502.01 ORIGO 6000 2 BURNER ALCOHOL STOVE & OVEN | eBay

 

[Alan Gomes]

3) I have contacted Cabrillo Marina in San Pedro, and they said they have slips available for a 30' sailboat. Alamintos Bay and Shoreline marinas are full. I will ask them to put my name on their waiting list for Shoreline/Alamintos.

Holiday Harbor in San Pedro also has them available. (It's just down the road from where you checked.) It's a very nice marina with good management. I've also heard good things about Cabrillo Marina.