"have i just made the biggest mistake too?"

[Pecostx]

Hey y'all, just stopped by to join in the fun. In keeping with one of the topics that caught me "have i just made the biggest mistake of my life?" I too have just bought a "project boat". Its an '82 C22 that i paid $750 for. Found it on craigs list in Alabama. Shes somewhat complete just not together. Has a swing keel just not in the boat, 5.5 johnson outboard vintage '59 that is supposed to run great (!), most of the interior cushions and all need replacing just good for patterns. Has main with a couple of small holes under 2 inch square, jib is hank on in good shape and all standing rigging is present and at least usable. Running rigging is trash what there us of it was barely good enough to tie stuff down for travel. Mast and boom are ok, mast step is not. Has about 10" of rain water in it that previous owner couldn't get out. It sat under a oak tree for two years with the hatch open and the pop top also.

Trailer is a tandem axle powerboat with 4x6 bunk boards and 4 different tires and two different type rims. Rudder needs new blade, tiller is delaminating as are the drop boards and several of the interior hatch covers. Winches are very good, motor mount is solid and swim ladder only needs the rubber bumpers. Stern pushpit only slightly bent on starboard corner and bow pulpit is perfect and will look very nice once it is attached to the boat.

Oh yes, almost forgot, there is a keel but not sure if it for this boat. The boat was left in a slip for an "extended length of time" and the keel fell out. The slip was in 8-10 feet of water so no one tried to retrieve it. This one is from a parts donor I am told. The winch is just a pile of rust suspended by spider webs.

So with all that said, I think I got a pretty good deal. What say you all? Looking forward to any and all advise, help and insight you have to offer.

Thanks in advance,

Geoff Adams

p.s. In the pic of aft end, that is the keel tied to the bottom of the trailer. I used the best part of the main halyard to tie it down. 141 miles later it was still there.

 

[RJD]

It's better than this one. Good luck and post more pics as your work progresses.

 

[justsomeguy]

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale...

To the OP, $750.00 ain't much, so far.

 

[LeslieTroyer]

Just rember to enjoy the journey as much as the destination

I had tons of fun in my Catalina 22 hope you will too

 

[mrudman850]

Good luck and enjoy the ride!

 

[pclarksurf]

Welcome to the clan--
Step 1 : you need to support the hull with a forward bunk board strut. Don't let her sit with all her weight rocking on that cross member-- the hull is thin and designed to be "cradled" by the long bunks forward and aft.

 

[pclarksurf]

I really can't tell from the pic if your Keel is factory or no- wondering why it was off the boat....definitely keep us posted with what you discover

 

[Jacomo Sailor]

I think they should have paid you the $750 to haul it off. Not trying to be rude, but that looks like a project that's gonna cost way more than it's worth to put back in shape. Having set full of water for a few years, it's a sure bet the plywood stringers are rotten and they are nearly impossible to get to. You most likely have core damage where the mast step was ripped out of the deck and probably around some of the bent stanchions and the missing pulpit. If that "donor" keel turns out to not be from a C22, sell it, the trailer and mast for scrap metal and part out the rest of the hardware before you sink a single dime into it. I hate to be a Debbie downer, but considering everything that is missing or needs major repair, I think you got taken to the cleaners on this one.

 

[Roland5048]

LMAO I think the joke is on us.

 

[CloudDiver]

Your boat looks about the same condition mine was in... I'm almost at the 2 year mark and well over $7K in new parts and repairs. Just warning ya. Jacamo wasn't far off in saying that they should have paid you $750 to haul it off, that is totally a serious and realistic statement.

 

[Gene Neill]

I'm with Jacomo on this one too.

Since it's too late to scream "RUN!", I'd say recoup your losses the best you can, and start over.

Unless Roland is on to something ...?

 

[kito]

Maybe salvage the trailer. Get some fenders etc. A fellow C22 owner may give you $400 for a tandem axle trailer. Other than that, you bought $750 worth of heartache. Part it out and try to recoup your cost. There are just too many nice C22's out there that are water ready. I paid $1500 for mine. It was dirty but it was sailable when I bought it. Btw, I would never buy a boat from an owner that was too lazy to put a $20 tarp over a boat and let it flood like he did.

 

[JohnVTX]

Yup. Part it out. You should get more than your investment. Too many good boats you can afford after parting out.

 

[kito]

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger.......It happens to the best of them

 

[Benny17441]

I wonder what caught your eye on that one? Torn sails, old untried engine, no swing keel, rudder needs blade, and an ill fitting trailer. Almost all the big money stuff needs replacing. You can likely purchase a used boat in good condition, ready, to sail for much less money than it would take to fix that one. We all make mistakes but sometimes is best to take the loss and walk away. I would give it a wash, clean it out and put a for sale sign on it for a starting price of $200 and be willing to negotiate down to free. Parting it out will be a hassle which will end up with the disposal of the hull. Good luck.

 

[My Mistress]

The question shouldn't be, "have I just made the biggest mistake too?", but rather, "What do you want to do?" or "What is your ultimate goal with this boat?"

Starting out negatively is bad.
If you want a project boat that may take a couple years or more, you have found it. In the end, you'll have a vessel you can be proud of.

BTW- I can't really see the swing keel well, but it looks like it came from a Mac25.

 

[Pecostx]

Gee everyone, thanks for all the encouragement dont know how i could go on without it.

My ultimate goal was originally to build a Welsford Navigator. My wife thought I might like to get on the water a little sooner so starting with something already built that just needed some work may not take as long to finish. I listened to her for once and here i am.

My goal is to have a good boat to sail around to Florida gulf coast and bays visiting neat places i havent seen before. Daysailing mostly maybe an overnight here and there, you know the usual stuff to do when you are retired.

I realize the trailer isnt correct for this boat but it is possible to fit it properly. The motor does run and they are easy to fix and parts are still available. Unless the stringers are bare under there, then that doesnt say much for Catalinas famous craftsmanship does it?
I've seen a few boats racing in local fleets that have a bit of sail tape on them. What is the keel? Just a chunk of cast iron. A hammer and a torch and it can be anything you want it to be or fit for that matter.

I'm not looking for a prom queen here just a steady date. She should be good enough for me. I'm no real prize either. So we'll see how she goes and a little hard work hasn't hurt me yet in the last 65 years I doubt it will now. Who was it that said " it's not what other people think about what you're doing, it's whether or not you like what you're doing." Oh yeah that was me. Has anyone replaced a swing keel here? They say it can be done.

Thanks,

Geoff

 

[Jacomo Sailor]

OK, I'll bite again... There isn't too much on these boats that can't be fixed, the question becomes weather it's worth it or not. As Benny said, it's all of the big money items that you said were missing or need fixed. If time, headache and money are not considerations and your wife is OK with you investing 2-3 times more than you could ever hope to see out of it, then I say go for it. Only you can say weather it's worth it, although that sort of defeats your stated purpose of getting on the water sooner.
Your comment about making the keel fit with a hammer and torch make me suspect that Roland is right and you are trolling. If you truly are serious however, then post a picture of the keel so we can help you identify if it is the correct one. If it is not, CUT YOUR LOSSES! If it's off from a Mac or some other boat, even it you can figure some way to retrofit it, it will never sail right and may not ever be safe. Your call though.

 

[JacksOffSailing]

I would keep it just for the lifelines.

More to come as I get my pictures together.

 

[kito]

If you're happy then that's all that matters. Keep us posted on your progress. Good luck!