need info

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JERRY

neogating purchase on 1982 cat30 made offer of 12,000 with mechanical escrow of 1,200(only for the engine) at time of offer we were aware the hull had blistering and the rudder was leeching rusty water and a leaking hatch. The survey reveals multiple problems need advised 1 The engine as a milkly oil level almost three inches above fill mark on the dipstick.(mixed with water)Found out from the broker that the engine, as been this way for over a year. Cranked engine one revolution not seized, broker feel like 1,200 escrow will cover repairs to water in oil problem, broker said if compression is ok engine will be fine once water problem is fixed???? What about corrosion???? 2 discolortion on port side of engine head(probably related to head gasket failure or over heating????) 3 cooling line existing exhust manifold runs up under sink into bronze U and back down to muffler, another line T's off of bronze U going up then back down and dumps into bilge????(Would this dump hot cooling water and exhust fumes into biges???)Surveryor did not understand why it is ran this way. Does anyone know?? 4 Toilet base is cracked and caulked, can parts be order? It is the original. 5 Bilge and cockpit drain ports have a clear vinyl tubing sticking out from port down to water level. How do you get access to plumbing under cockpit? 6 Roller furler,165% ginny,- baot is demasted steel cable protruding from spooler on furler it has no hardware only frayed ends?? Fuler has heavy stainless steel guide around it which has been broken and rewelded, did not see any name is this cat30 optional original equipment? I do not know anything about roller furlers. Surveryor did not know either. any help on any of these problems would be appreciated. Especially on the engine repairs. Being done without a total rebuild. This is our first sailboat excuse our ignorance's. thanks so much
 
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Walt

Keep Looking

Sounds like a lot of money for a boat in that condition. Water in the engine is a very serious problem. Sounds like you've located an expensive fixer-uper. I'd suggest that you go to Soundings on the web (or pick up their mag) and check out the pricing on similar boats. See what else is available in your price range. Also, don't weigh the broker's or the surveyor's advice on repair costs too heavily. Listen to them and then get an estimate from a mechanic who is capable of making the repairs. Good luck and keep us posted.
 
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Jeff Walker

I agree with Walt....

The $1200 won't begin to cover some of the problems you mentioned. A good hull job to get rid of blisters is $4,000. I think your engine may have a cracked block which means it's history. Figure a good re-built at $3,000 to $4,000 and a new one at $10,000. Don't worry about the anti-siphon loop under the sink, it's part of the design to keep cooling water from backing up into your exhaust engine ports after shut-off. It is important to make sure the siphon valve (on top of the loop) is clear and that you can blow air through it. $25 will buy you a replacement at West Marine. Again, take Walt's advice and keep looking. Good luck, Jeff
 
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richard

interesting problem

I have had milky oil in my atomic 4 engine. I assume you have an atomic 4? This can be caused by a few things. Over cranking the engine (without it starting and the water intake open) will flood the engine, a cracked block will also, and so will a blown head gasket. Mine had water for all of a day or two till I started a rebuild and it was saltwater. There was a bit of rust already showing. Likely you will need to replace quite a few things and possibly get another atomic 4. A fully rebuilt one will run up to 4K while someones old one they got rid of to put in diesel can be as low as a few hundred or even free. Not sure about the hose Ted into the bilge. This is not part of the vented loop and I sure can't think of any reasonable explanation. Blisters while a pain are not really important or critical. Most catalinas have some (ones in the early 80's). How many? How big? If it is just a few (100 or less no bigger than 1/4 to 1/2 inch) you can fix the yourself easily enough for little money. Roller furling was not stock and can cost up to 1400 to install a quality one. I would look for important things like leaky chain plates that rotted out bulkheads, soft spots in the deck due to leaking deck hardware, etc. Expect to spend the summer getting this boat working. If you are handy you can do most of it yourself and save a ton of $. If you pay a yard to do the job expect to spend way more than the boat is worth. If you choose the latter then by all means keep looking.
 
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Mark Johnson

I'd walk!

The items you mention may well cost you as much if not more than you are paying for the boat to fix. There are too many nice 30's out there to settle for a "Dog". If you can "steal it", maybe, but 12K for an 1982 with those kinds of problems, I'd walk away.
 
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Rick

No, dont walk...

RUN! Run fast & far. Actually this might be a good project boat for someone who is experienced with boats and C30s in particular. But for a first timer, your going to end up with a fair boat after you have invested about $30,000.
 
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Jerry Rudig

Thanks for your responses.(Please Read)

Sorry about some of the wording, I dictated to my wife over a cell phone. I am a very handy person, but I try to stay away from major mechanical repairs(rebuilds, clutchs, trannies...) I have been on a crash sailing, boating course since I obtained a slip in Michigan City on Lake Michigan in March. We have 4 small children and at least 1 if not 2 teens with us all the time. We purchased a Mac Gregor 25 swing keel and found out after our first sail this boat is too small for us on Lake Michigan! Just before making port we got caught in some 3-4 possibly even some 5 foot waves, thank God for that 9.9 horse Johnson! We have been considering a 1972 Grampian 34 ketch at $19,000 because of the abundant storage space, but I am afraid I will invest considerable money to update antiquated systems and be stuck with a wierd duck that won't sell(and possibly sail like a brick.) We have only been in 2 Cat 30's but we really like the way the space has been used. We are tired of 6 to 10 hour round trips to Lake Michigan trying to find a boat and are ready to latch on to anything that might float!Torrensen Marine is the largest sailboat dealer around but they are 4 hours up into Michigan(this is where the 82 Cat 30 is)this boat has some X-tra's: dodger/full cockpit enclosure with screens/awning, navico autopilot 5000, nice sony stereo,Descent eletronics, rule 1500 bilge pump, dock box and I like the natural teak, I hate peeling varnish. It does not have a stove or fridge. How much would you pay if the broker gets the engine and furler acceptably repaired???(It is an A4)
 
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gary jensen

value of the 30

After reading your posts and trying to figure the value, I'v come up with a figure. I would walk away from the deal. Not only will you spend a lot of $$$$$ on this project but you mention that its a long drive to where its at. Why not get a boat in good sailable condition. Its not only money here but TIME!!!! Time that you could be sailing. Good luck........
 
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Guest

seriosly take your time

its hard to without a boat. but really it is well worth the effort to take your time and find the right boat at the right price. i looked for a 22 for a year and a half and still had plenty of work to do on it. if i was looking larger i would easily spend twice the time to get the right boat. please dont buy just to get out there. because you will have to start looking next season when you are disatisfied with the current boat. good luck.
 
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Gail

Agree-Take your time

It took my husband and I nearly 3 years to find the right boat. We just closed on an older Cat 30 which was maintained in near bristol condition and nicly upgraded by the previous owners. The surveyor recommendations cost just a little over $600 and 1 day to complete and we now have a fantastic boat we can spend time sailing instead of repairing. Listen to that little voice in your gut, if it's saying that the boat your looking at may not be the right one, take heed. When you do find the boat for you, there will be no question--it'll hit you like a ton of bricks and everything will simply fall into place. Good luck!
 
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Jeff Walker

An option..

Hi Jerry, If you really like the boat you may be able to minimize your risk by making the seller re-build the engine at a reliable house that offers a warranty. He will have to do that anyway to have any chance of selling this boat. As far as blisters go, I had to have my '83 hull completely dried, gel coat removed and re-sealed. Takes 2 months and $4,000 so I would take part of that off the purchase price. Have that rudder removed, inspected, and re-worked as well (you don't want to lose that at sea). Offer him $9,000 if your mechanic says the engine is OK (good compression and no more water in the oil). I think that is fair because you can get a good boat that age with a re-built engine for $16,000. Good luck, Jeff
 
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