looking for information

[Rich]

I have acquired what I beleave to be a 1974 Cal 20 but I am not positive of the year I do have a serial number CAB217050374 it has a retractable keel (which is not installed )my question is this 1.what does the serial number tell me about the boat and 2. with the retractable keel what should I be looking for around the trunk and any thing I should know about the installation of the keel ? also where can I find information on rigging ?

 

[Calif. Ted]

I've attached a link to reading HIN

numbers yours is:
CAB= Manufacturer (CAL)
21705 appears to be Hull number
03/74 appears to be build date

 

[Rich]

thank you

thanks for the info on the serial number ..is it common to have a retractable keel ? all the Cals I see on the web have non-retractable keel?

 

[Sunbird]

Not a 20, she must be a 21

As a former owner of a 1970 CAL 21, I'd say that the boat is not a 20 but is a CAL 21. The fact that the CAL 20 had a fixed keel, and the CAL 21 was the only CAL model that ever had a retractable keel...plus the HIN that you quote seems to indicate that the boat is a 21 CAB217050374, would seem to translate to CAB = Cal Boats, 21 = CAL 21, 705 = Class# (number of 21s built) 0374 would indicate the boat was built in March of 1974. The 21 was introduced in 1969 as a 1970 model, the 20 was introduced in about 1962. The 21 was built until 1974, the 20 until 1975 or 76. A Cal 20 built in 1974 would have had a much higher class# than 705, but that would be about right for the 21.

The CAL 20 has a raised deck, like the 25, 2-24, and 28, the 21 has a trunk-cabing like most CALs. I'll post a picture of the CAL 21, but if you look in the Model info section of this website and click on 21, you will find much more info that I've posted.

 

[Sunbird]

Keel info

I missed your request for advice on checking the keel and trunk. The fact that the keel is out of the boat at the moment is good, you can easily inspect the condition of the pivot hole in the keel, be sure that the metal tab that is the entire strenght of the pivot is still in good condition and not rusted out, it should still be solidly welded to the metal backbone of the keel [keel fin is actually a steel backbone with fiberglass shell around it, shell is solidly filled with a resin "putty" encasing the steel. The bulb at the bottom of the keel is lead (about 360#)]. I'll post a picture of what can happen if the steel tab rusts out, happend to our boat 2x.
On the hull, Look for cracking at the forward end of the keel trunk, it may not be overly visible, but when you are beating to windward the forces on the keel will force any cracking to open up enough to cause a leak (been there, done that!) While the keel is out is a good time to scrape out and dirt and growth in the trunk and give it a couple of good coats of antifoulant paint if you will be keeping the boat in the water.

You may also want to check out www.cal21.com a website maintained by Richard Fuller, another former CAL 21 owner (now has a 28). he has all sorts of info supplied by several of us owners and former owners. Including an owners Manual.

We just sold our 21 about a week ago, and after 38 years of ownership, I have a pretty good storehouse of knowledge about the boat!

 

[Rich]

thanks again

WOW thank for the info what a wealth of information I went to www.cal21.com as you suggested and now feel kinda comfortable with the task of getting the boat back in the sailing condition .the keel trunk was the area I am most conserned with as all the other boats I have sail had fixed keels but now armed with the information you have provided i feel better about the task..Rich