Just Bought My First Boat - About to Give it to a Scrapyard

Sep 18, 2024
18
Catalina 30 marina park marina
I think I really can't trust anyone when it comes to boats at this point. I don't want to go after the surveyor even if he missed some crucial things, I'll just take it as a (hard earned) lesson.

Despite all of the setbacks, I've definitely learned a lot about my boat so far, and the advice in this thread has been priceless! The boat probably would have been in the scrapyard by now if it wasn't for the advice I got, and it seems like I can see the end of the tunnel now and I am more confident working on the boat myself. :)
 
Apr 5, 2009
2,969
Catalina '88 C30 tr/bs Oak Harbor, WA
I just got an update from the boatyard. They haven’t mentioned the keel yet but its a good thing they looked at the thru hulls. The engine intake apparently snapped from corrosion as soon as they touched it (the backing wood was rotten) and 2 others weren’t thru hulls at all, just copper tubes in the hull. Might have been a previous DIY repair.

I’m glad these are getting fixed before I launched!
The copper pile in a fiberglass volcano was the factory installation until the Mk2. It is a good thing to replace them. My Mk2 had Marelon thru hulls with a marelon ball valve which worked fine but I chose to replace them all with the new Marelon 93 Series flanged seacocks.
 
Apr 5, 2009
2,969
Catalina '88 C30 tr/bs Oak Harbor, WA
I think I really can't trust anyone when it comes to boats at this point. I don't want to go after the surveyor even if he missed some crucial things, I'll just take it as a (hard earned) lesson.

Despite all of the setbacks, I've definitely learned a lot about my boat so far, and the advice in this thread has been priceless! The boat probably would have been in the scrapyard by now if it wasn't for the advice I got, and it seems like I can see the end of the tunnel now and I am more confident working on the boat myself. :)
On a possitive note. I have owned my 88 Mk2 for 27-years and am still in love with her. The C30 is a fantastic boat for the Salish Sea.
 
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Likes: Alan Gomes
Jun 21, 2004
2,658
Beneteau 343 Slidell, LA
I think I really can't trust anyone when it comes to boats at this point.
Despite all of the setbacks, I've definitely learned a lot about my boat so far, and the advice in this thread has been priceless! I am more confident working on the boat myself. :)
Repairing & maintaining your first boat has a very steep learning curve, as you have come to realize. Every step of the way, you will encounter problems that you need to educate yourself to either complete the repair yourself or at least be knowledgeable enough so you aren't taken advantage of by unscrupulous contractors or yards. This education is an ongoing process that never ends. Talk to your dock neighbors & hang out on the forums & You Tube to gain valuable info & to filter out the good & the bad. Also realize that most often, there isn't one best solution to solve a problem , but several options that are available. Realize that individuals, here & elsewhere, will advocate for their solution; you have to decide on the preferred course of action. Over time, you will become intimately knowledgeable of your boat and that is a good thing!
 
May 1, 2011
4,727
Pearson 37 Lusby MD
Despite all of the setbacks, I've definitely learned a lot about my boat so far, and the advice in this thread has been priceless! The boat probably would have been in the scrapyard by now if it wasn't for the advice I got, and it seems like I can see the end of the tunnel now and I am more confident working on the boat myself. :)
Congratulations. I had a lot of work done on my new-to-me boat at winter refit 2008-2009, nearly as much as I paid for the boat. It was worth every penny, as I knew I had a safe boat to take the Scouts cruising on. :beer:
 
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jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,214
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
I think I really can't trust anyone when it comes to boats at this point.....
I've definitely learned a lot about my boat so far,
I think I really can't trust anyone when it comes to boats at this point.
Congratulations. You are becoming a boat owner. Trust is not automatic in boat work. It is earned through performance and verified by experience.

Your highlighted statement is the most important in your paragraph. Buying a boat is not like buying a car and driving it off the lot. You need to build your knowledge base with your boat not someone else's. Compare the information you get from others, but confirm that it is or is not valid for "YOUR BOAT". When you are alone in the Georgia Strait and the wind is blowing 20, gusting higher, it will be you and the trust you can place in YOUR boat that will get you home.

Regarding the surveyor. He was tasked with assessing the safety of your boat. It sounds like he failed on serious safety issues. I would find a way to address this failure. If the surveyor is allowed to continue with this lack of concern some future boater will get in serious trouble. No one likes confrontation but boating safety should not be taken lightly.
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,214
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
It looks like you dream of sailing on your own boat in the Salish Sea is moving forward.
Make plans, get charts, identify future adventures.
I look forward to perhaps anchoring in a bay together.
John
 
Sep 18, 2024
18
Catalina 30 marina park marina
IMG_1770.jpeg
Hello everyone!

I know its been a while, I’ve been working on the boat from dawn to dusk the past week with no breaks but it is finally in the water and back at the marina!

Looks like I’ll be sailing very soon!

thank you to everyone in this thread who helped me through the challenges of the past 2 months. It was more than I anticipated, and I think what jssailem and Bigeasy said is 100% right, I just had to learn it the hard way.

I’ll keep up on the maintenance so it doesn’t get into this kind of state again, and working on the boat so long I have an idea of what needs to be looked at (and not being in a boatyard will help me afford these repairs).

At this point, as long as my seized waste disposal thru hull doesnt fall off before spring (thankfully its seized closed) and my battery charger doesn’t blow up my batteries, it should be smooth sailing for a little while!
 
Jun 1, 2004
412
Catalina 22 Victoria BC
Well done!
I've never hauled out at Canoe Cove but I like that they have Blackline Rigging on site.