I am looking at a C27, 1978. It has an A 4 inboard engine. Comes with 2 jibs, a spinnaker and two mains. 2 self-tailing winches. has loran, depth, wind and nautometer. seems well maintained. asking price is 9,400US. Seems a little high from what i have seen. does anyone have any thoughts?? Thanks for any suggestions John
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Features that are Worth a Premium
Hi Jay: I have a 76 Catalina 27 and paid 12,500 two years ago. It had numerous upgrades which I think are worth a premium.Determine if the boat you're looking at has the following: Has the engine been rebuilt? Electric replacement for the points. I forget the exact name but it saves you from having to change points and reset the gap. A real pain!! Electric fuel pump. More reliable than the mechanical type. Plastic gas tanks. Windows rebedded? Mast ever been replaced? Cats at that era has some instances of chain plate failure. Age of sails. Autofurling? A must!! What condition is the water tank in? Any cracks? Lazy Jacks? Number/age of batteries? I guess that's about it. Best of Luck Melody
Hi Jay: I have a 76 Catalina 27 and paid 12,500 two years ago. It had numerous upgrades which I think are worth a premium.Determine if the boat you're looking at has the following: Has the engine been rebuilt? Electric replacement for the points. I forget the exact name but it saves you from having to change points and reset the gap. A real pain!! Electric fuel pump. More reliable than the mechanical type. Plastic gas tanks. Windows rebedded? Mast ever been replaced? Cats at that era has some instances of chain plate failure. Age of sails. Autofurling? A must!! What condition is the water tank in? Any cracks? Lazy Jacks? Number/age of batteries? I guess that's about it. Best of Luck Melody
Depends on market
Are there other C27s in your area for a lower price? Check them out & compare. Melody has a point in regards to what features the boat has. (But I have to disagree that roller furling is a "must".) It does seem high if those are all original features. But I'm guessing for that price, some things have been upgraded. LaDonna
Are there other C27s in your area for a lower price? Check them out & compare. Melody has a point in regards to what features the boat has. (But I have to disagree that roller furling is a "must".) It does seem high if those are all original features. But I'm guessing for that price, some things have been upgraded. LaDonna
Sounds High
It sounds high. The sails, unless almost new shouldn't be worth a premium. Usually 2 mains or two jibs means a newer set and the old set (which are probably worthless). The loran is virtually worthless. If the other electronics are fairly new there's some value there. The winches wouldn't add much. You didn't mention a dodger, that, if in very good condition would add value. I'd shop around or do some research and offer what you think it's worth. A '78 is a little on the old side, but condition is everything. You should also research the archives in this website to get an idea of what upgrades to look for (spreader bases, shroud u-bolts, etc.)
It sounds high. The sails, unless almost new shouldn't be worth a premium. Usually 2 mains or two jibs means a newer set and the old set (which are probably worthless). The loran is virtually worthless. If the other electronics are fairly new there's some value there. The winches wouldn't add much. You didn't mention a dodger, that, if in very good condition would add value. I'd shop around or do some research and offer what you think it's worth. A '78 is a little on the old side, but condition is everything. You should also research the archives in this website to get an idea of what upgrades to look for (spreader bases, shroud u-bolts, etc.)
I'd Buy It... If
If - the hull is in good shape If - it has has had a recent bottom job If - the sea trial works well for you and your sailing habits/needs If - Hardware is in good shape If - the A-4 is rock solid If - and this is most important, your surveyor tells you to. My '79 C-27 just retailed for 10,700 without the nice winches. If you don't have to put too much work into it, I'd go for it!
If - the hull is in good shape If - it has has had a recent bottom job If - the sea trial works well for you and your sailing habits/needs If - Hardware is in good shape If - the A-4 is rock solid If - and this is most important, your surveyor tells you to. My '79 C-27 just retailed for 10,700 without the nice winches. If you don't have to put too much work into it, I'd go for it!
MAKE OFFER
MAKE AN OFFER. ALL THEY CAN SAY IS NO. DEAL DEAL DEAL. START AT 5K AND GO UP TO YOUR COMFORT LEVEL. STICK WITH YOUR COMFORT LEVEL. IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE WHAT YOU PAY FOR A BOAT IF YOU LIKE IT AND WILL USE IT. JUST DO IT!
MAKE AN OFFER. ALL THEY CAN SAY IS NO. DEAL DEAL DEAL. START AT 5K AND GO UP TO YOUR COMFORT LEVEL. STICK WITH YOUR COMFORT LEVEL. IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE WHAT YOU PAY FOR A BOAT IF YOU LIKE IT AND WILL USE IT. JUST DO IT!
Catalina 27
I'm also looking to buy a Catalina 27 and find the price varies greatly. The yacht brokers want to shove the Buc book at you but in my experience old boats do not sell for these values unless they have an inexperienced buyer. The boat I'm looking at is an 82 sitting on a trailer with the mast down. It's in good condition but needs to be put together. They want $10900 which I find outrageous so I hired a surveyer for $200 to check it out. I've just made a low ball offer and am still waiting. The way I look at it is winter is coming and if this one doesn't work out another one will come along. Good luck! Lorrie321@yahoo.com
I'm also looking to buy a Catalina 27 and find the price varies greatly. The yacht brokers want to shove the Buc book at you but in my experience old boats do not sell for these values unless they have an inexperienced buyer. The boat I'm looking at is an 82 sitting on a trailer with the mast down. It's in good condition but needs to be put together. They want $10900 which I find outrageous so I hired a surveyer for $200 to check it out. I've just made a low ball offer and am still waiting. The way I look at it is winter is coming and if this one doesn't work out another one will come along. Good luck! Lorrie321@yahoo.com
John and Lorrie....
I will start by telling you that the Cat 27 was one of the best boats I've ever owned (1985). It's a real performer
) I now own a 1994 Cat 30 and am also very happy. Although the Cat 27 is one of the "smaller" criusing boats Catalina makes, it will feel like a bigger boat. So in the interest of that subject, I found having self tailing winches, a roller furing, a wheel, a dodger, a deisel engine, very inviting and useful. These items I feel are what should make the boat more expensive. The only reason I got rid of my 27 was I wanted more room down below. Lastly, find the right Cat 27 with the right equipment at the right price and you will be very happy. And John...Lorrie states that if the one she's looking at doesn't work out there will always be another...Good Show Lorrie! If there one thing about Catalina it's that there is rarely a shortage of them~! Good Luck! Charlie
I will start by telling you that the Cat 27 was one of the best boats I've ever owned (1985). It's a real performer
) I now own a 1994 Cat 30 and am also very happy. Although the Cat 27 is one of the "smaller" criusing boats Catalina makes, it will feel like a bigger boat. So in the interest of that subject, I found having self tailing winches, a roller furing, a wheel, a dodger, a deisel engine, very inviting and useful. These items I feel are what should make the boat more expensive. The only reason I got rid of my 27 was I wanted more room down below. Lastly, find the right Cat 27 with the right equipment at the right price and you will be very happy. And John...Lorrie states that if the one she's looking at doesn't work out there will always be another...Good Show Lorrie! If there one thing about Catalina it's that there is rarely a shortage of them~! Good Luck! Charlie- Status