Looking at a cal21 for project need input.

[Gedagett]

Hello,

I am looking at a Cal 21 for a project boat. The hull is complete and said to be in good shape.? The issue is the interior of the boat has been completely stripped do to collected water from being out in the weather uncovered rotted out the wood (so that is the story). I have a few questions I hoped some of you might be able to help me with.

1. I live off Lake Michigan in Chicago is the boat stable and sturdy enough to sail her on Lake michigan within reasonable offshore distances. 4-5 miles?

2. How is the boat for a first timer. I have limited experience on my small cat rigged 11ft home built and a couple of times in a 15 ft sloop rigged O'day?

3. If the Keel box needs sealing work is that a huge undertaking. I am a accomplished craftsman and carpenter so I am more thinking along the line of the invasivness of that repair more than the skills required?

4. What is the general overall performance of the boat. And in your opinion would it make for a good project being that the end result would be worth the work?

Here is a link to the boat and maybe you could tell me what you think. I am going to set the boat in the water to ensure that the Hull is indeed water tight as he says.

http://southbend.craigslist.org/boa/877289476.html

Thanks a ton,

Gary Daggett

 

[Sunbird22358]

Gary, as a former co-owner of a 1970 CAL 21 (our family boat for 38 years!) I would say she is a great little boat! However, are you planning to trailer the boat, or keep her on a mooring? If you plan to trailer, the CAL 21 is not a boat that you put in the water for an hour or so sail, then haul out and take her home. The keel must be lowered each time you launch , then be locked in the down position, the cable comes off, you insert the keel plug (closes off the bottom of the keel slot) and then there is a cover for the hole in the cockpit sole. Sailing without the keel plug and well cover will mean wet feet! Once all that is done, the CAL 21 is a great sailer! She handles like a true fin-keel boat and is pretty responsive without being intimidating for a beginner, I basically grew up sailing on our 21, so maybe having Dad always there made sailing her easier as I was learning....but if you can sail a small O'DAY you can handle the CAL 21 although it will be a learning experience at first. My Dad had a 16' Beetle Falcon before he bought the CAL, the Falcon is very similar to the old O'Day Osprey and was not that different than the O'DAY Day Sailer (just smaller!). I presently own a 1979 O'Day Day Sailer II, and sailed both the 21 and the DS II for the last 12 years. The big difference is the keel on the CAL, both in stability (she WILL take a knockdown and recover!) and the fact that with the keel locked down.....well..she comes to a stop when you run aground!
You should check out www.cal21.com for restoration information, others have rebuilt the interior after having to gut out the rot. It will be a BIG job, you will basically be building a kit-boat and that can be good or bad. I would be sure to restore the basic "box" that ties the keel trunk, mast step and chainplates together, but other than that.....build away! If you are a good carpenter, and either know fiberglass techniques or are willing to learn, this is not an out-of-the question project. However, it will take work!
You asked about the keel trunk and sealing it, basic fiberglass work will fix most cracks in hte trunk. The joint between the top of the well and the cockpit sole can leak, but loosening the screws and squeezing in some sealant will usually take care of the leaks. You may have to replace some of those screws with bolts if they have stripped out.
I'm the only CAL 21 owner listed in the owners directory last I checked, but feel free to pick my brain if needed. Of course, if you decided against the CAL 21 project....well, I have pretty good sailboat knowledge and will still try to help if you ask!

 

[Sunbird22358]

Gary, as to your other question, I'm not intimately familiar with Lake Michigan..I sail on Buzzards Bay near Cape Cod. However, I would say that if you can watch the weather, a CAL 21 would not be out of the question for sailing as much as 4-5 miles off shore. You do need to be prepared for that type of sailing and I would stay closer to shore until you are confident in your abilities as well as the boat. The 21 is a bit lightweight for sailing in waves, plenty strong enough, but being light (about 1200# or so) she does not bash through waves as easily as a heavier boat will. We have 3-5' waves on a typical afternoon on Buzzards Bay and our 21 handled it OK....but it was always nice to be able to turn and head back in going with the waves after beating into them going out. The 21 will vitually surf (well , thats how it feels!) downwind...but like any fin-keel boat it will take careful steering to stay in control....not hard, but you can't really daydream at the helm.
I've added a few pics below.

Rod J.