Is this a repair? 1990

Old Skool Neil · Jan 15, 2011

Looks like a repair to me for at least 3 reasons:

1. It appears there's no woven fiberglass, either cloth or roving, in the subject area, mat only. Not typical of a builder.
2. Unpainted. Also unlike a builder.
3. The repaired area is relieved where the shower drain hose comes through indicating the hose was in place when the repair was done - most notably after the manufacturing process.

Anonymous 121765 · Jan 16, 2011

Billy,
This was an aftermarket repair job & a real piece of shit. The owner had water leaking I'm guessing from the mast step area inside the mast where the wiring penetrated the deck.

It looks as if water ran down or inside the compression post (my wiring ran inside my compression post). Judging from the visible pics, was water scarring, it had leaked for awhile. Also in the bilge, the compression block looks somewhat suspect (water soaked). The coax cable was a do-it-yourself job.

There is alot of info on these types of damages and repairs on this site. Alot of the guys are very knowledgeable, and will probably respond to your thread with great links and info.

Check the mast at the deck to see if any repair work can be seen and look for a sagging of the deck around the mast base.

Depending on the structural damage, this can get alittle costly if the mast, compression post & bilge block has to be redone. However you may be able to have the seller repair this prior to purchase.

good luck,
CR

Old Skool Neil · Jan 16, 2011

Billy,

Have you had it surveyed? Checked out the pictures and the condition of the stuffing box caught my attention too.

What it boils down to is price. If the price plus the cost of necessary repairs leaves you at a reasonable market value then go for it. If not, it's a deal breaker, pretty or not. I'd recommend a proper survey and a full estimate of recommended repairs, subtract that from a reasonable market value for a 1990 C-30 comparably equipped and there's your absolute maximum.

If the deal goes through I'd also have the repair done professionally after you own the boat and under your or your surveyor's supervision. We've already seen how the current owner repairs things. No more of that. This mast compression support area is critical, no place for amateurs.

Old Skool Neil · Jan 16, 2011

Is this the wing keel boat for sale in Solomons, MD, the one with the red canvas?

I'll resist jumping in on the go-no go decision but I don't see how you can determine a value without knowing the condition of the mast support all the way from the deck to the keel and exactly what it will cost to remedy.

I will say this: there's no way I'd commit to an as-is deal without a survey. No way! Dropping $500 or so on a survey might be the best money you ever spent. I wouldn't use a surveyor recommended by the broker either, go find your own.

Old Skool Neil · Jan 16, 2011

The term accept is troublesome to me. Typically an offer is made subject to survey. I'd keep an escape door open until then.

Stephen K · Jan 16, 2011

Billy,

First, I would post this same question on the C-30 organization website where you will get more direct insight to this problem on this particular boat (www.catalina30.com). You should go to the website anyway as there is a LOT of good information to take in.

Starting in 1988 with hull #5397 Catalina Yachts eliminated the use of wood for the compression post support on the C-30. Since this boat is after the change, it may be ok, but its so hard to tell from pictures. The "water intrusion" could be from the head side of bulkhead panel or it could be form water running down the wiring inside the mast. If this is a repair, they may have been trying to eliminate the water intrusion and not something as serious as the compression post. Again, all we can do is speculate from these pictures.

Do you have any telling signs of mast compression like gelcoat cracks on the topsides around the mast? Does your head door open and close freely or does it "bind" at the top. If not, I would consider going forward with the survey. Best of luck.

Team118 · Jan 16, 2011

Bill;

Here is a link to a Catalina 30 compression repair. It shows pics before, during and after. It's quite a job...

http://picasaweb.google.com/danlmetzler/MastCompressionBlockRepair#

I did notice the stuffing box too, also the one through hull with a corroded double elbow on it near the muffler and I also noticed most of the wiring behind the panel doesn't have any heat shrink tubing.

I would bet the quickest way to find out would be to bite the buller and drill out the teak plugs on the aft facing teak column and pull it. My bet is water is filling up in the mast and then filling up the teaked out post, slowly trickling into the bilge. Hence the rotten base of the bulkhead.

If you can get past that, the rest of the interior pictures show a pretty nice boat. Even the rest of the bilge looks great! Clean keel bolts and a clean bilge too.

Good luck!
Chris

rbmcintire · Jan 16, 2011

Good Luck Billly. Is your contact for the boat a broker or a private seller? If you aren't satisfied with a true accounting of the repair history, then it should reflect in your bid. The repair on that boat has question marks all over it. I agree with Neil that it's about the purchase price. I bought an '84 that I knew needed the compression post redone, but I got a great deal on the boat. I had seen the Picasa site above, felt it was within my skill level and I'm currently doing this job over the winter. The boat is hauled, the mast was pulled and I dug out the wet plywood in 4 hours using a Rockwell Multi-tool. You don't have the problem of plywood in your 1990 keel stub floor, but I'm also going there in my bilge. I've got a Catalina Smile!

In addition, this is an opportunity to replace all my standing rigging, mast wiring,etc. The previous owner was really helpful, laid out the issues and we did the deal. His best advice was to sail the heck out of it. My wife and I got caught in a couple afternoon summer storms out on the Chesapeake Bay this past summer and I knew to baby it by reefing early and feathering through the gusts. This year I'll have way more knowledge of my boat and confidence in the rig. I have one picture of the open bilge in my album here.

Rob

Bad Obsession · Jan 17, 2011

The pictures of the bulkhead are interesting. I have seen that before in other boats and there is two other explanations for it. One possibility is the shower pan in the head isn't sealed well and the water leaked through that area during showers and caused the water damage/discoloration. Another thing that happens is that water comes in through leaks and runs down that trim at the bottom of the bulkhead and sit there to cause water damage. Check the area near the chain plate to see if it is leaking and water is running down there that way.

I have never seen anything like that in the bilge. The thing is that a good surveyor is the key to figuring out what is going on with the bilge.

Bob M. · Jan 17, 2011

I have an '85, and did the mast compression block replacement myself. If I had to do it over, I would pay large sums of $$ to have someone else do it. An awful project. BUT, that doesn't seem to be the issue here. As someone else has noted, Catalina stopped using wood as the material for the compression block. So, even if water has intruded, the block should be fine. Since there is no compression visible on the deck, and the head door opens and closes just fine, I'd look for another cause. The most likely one has been mentioned -- water seeping down from the mast step, along the electrical lines. This can be EASILY repaired. When the mast is unstepped, you will find a PVC pipe that goes through the deck, with the electrical connections routed through it. Two things need to be done. The opening in the pipe needs to be sealed up so that only the wires extend through, with no additional open space. Once this is done, you will have closed off one of the routes by which water intrudes. The next step is equally important, and often overlooked. Make certain the PVC pipe is thoroughly sealed to the deck, using a flexible polyurethane sealant. In addition, fill in the mast step with sealant, tapering it to the sides of the pipe. If you do not have water exit holes at the bottom of the mast, drill a couple of small ones. If these steps aren't done, any water that enters the mast will sit at the bottom of the mast, and will eventually find some small opening, allowing it to enter the compression post.

Twice Around · Jan 18, 2011

Billy,

I live in the area. (my boat was on the hard this summer at the same marina) Mike Previti is a local surveyor that has been in this area for 30+ years. I'd highly recommend him (his office is at another marina.), - http://www.previtimarineconsulting.com/

Or, contact Spring Cove directly and ask someone there..I trust them as well. For a reasonable fee, I am sure they'll provide an expert opinion.

I've seen this boat around the area for a while, but I do not personally know anything about it.

Is this a repair? 1990

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