Need opinions on possible purchase of a sailboat.

[Erbardy]

Need opinions on possible purchase of a sailboat.

I am looking at the possible purchase of a 1968 Jensen Cal 34. The boat is in great shape. The owner is selling it at a low price because of the purchase of a larger boat. I visited the boat and there were no apparent soft spots. The bottom looks good. Here are some pictures and also a YouTube video that I took. Please offer any opinions that you may have.

The boat deck and Hall seem to be solid fiberglass. It has the original universal atomic motor which had a valve job about 20 years ago.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

assessing any boat based on pictures is a dubious task. Any boat that old will have issues a new boat owner likely won’t be able to discern. Get a surveyor and be aware that gas engine boats are generally cheaper than are diesel powered ones.

 

[kloudie1]

The port side forward chainplate appears to have a good bit of water damage to the fasteners and the bulkhead.. Not a huge job to access/repair, but all the others should be looked at carefully.. The gasoline engine (as Don says) is a bit of a downer but when maintained correctly, it is extremely reliable. They were used successfully in many boats in the early years.
Survey if you are not comfortable /schooled in rigging inspection.

 

[Head Sail]

Any boat that old with an engine that clean has been well cared for. Take that for what it's worth.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

What's a low price? It really all depends on how much are you willing to lose and how much more are you willing to spend on repairs and improvements? On the plus side, if she has been sailed up until now, she looks pretty good for a 50+ year-old boat and if she was floating, motoring and sailing last year, that would be a good sign. The boat has a very good pedigree, so no question there. How much do you trust the seller to disclose all her warts? Obviously, she's not perfect. By all means, get a survey if you are serious, so you know what needs to be done. How old is the standing rigging? If it's 20+ years, you probably will want to replace no matter what it looks like following an inspection. Whatever the boat costs, double or triple that amount in what you may need or want to spend over a few years to do the things that you discover need or want to be done. That doesn't count the mooring/slip fees, registration and insurance. She looks like a pretty good find! That doesn't mean she won't be expensive!

 

[jssailem]

Being a bit handy having posted, "I recently fully restored a 1978 Chrysler 26, Question about water in forward bilge", older boats and their quirks should not surprise you.

Cal boats are good solid coastal cruisers. A 68 Cal 34 has a similar hull to my 35. Looks like the deck toe rail has be assed. The deck in that age is plywood core. Your video shows that the boat is cleaned to let the potential buyer see her at her best. The Atomic 4 gas engines were work horses, used in boats to reduce the cost and reach a price market. The diesels were preferred by boat owners willing to pay the extra.

The winches show the age of the boat.

This could be a good family boat. All boats of this vintage will have need of replacements. Go into the project with your eyes wide open. If you are uncertain and the price seems high, then the cost of a surveyor may be warranted. On the other hand is the price is beneath market and you thinks it is a steal, then look for the obvious big cost items and be aware of your risk. Sails are a big cost item.

 

[MikeHoncho]

Standing rigging and shape of the sails? And maybe I missed it but asking price?

 

[Erbardy]

Standing rigging and shape of the sails? And maybe I missed it but asking price?

Sails are in good shape and standing rigging as well. $8500 asking price

 

[jssailem]

Price sounds reasonable assuming no major hiccups. I would have the rigging examined. The builder used spruce spreaders on the boats. If they have not been regularly maintained, you may (likely) will find the spreaders are not good. This can be seen in the shrouds are a bit loose and the spreader tips exposed with no tension on the shroud.

You should also examine the chainplates for pit corrosion at the point they enter the deck.

The rigging you state as in "Good Shape". Unless the rigging has been replaced, even though the boat has been north of 38th parallel for most of it's life, the original rigging is questionable. Examine the swaged fittings. This may have rust or broken wires where they enter the fitting.

If this is a day sailer or lake boat for you the rigging if sized as original should suffice. The Cal's were known to be a little lite on the diameter of the wire used for the original rigging. If any off shore passages are considered, the advice from riggers is to increase the rigging by one grade.

The Cal of that age (54 yrs) has a low aspect sail and telephone pole for a mast. Improvements would be to loose foot the Mainsail, modernize the furler, explore a 135-145 Genoa, add an adjustable back stay and rig a asymmetrical spinnaker for light air sailing.

These upgrades while costing money should extend the boat life for another 10 plus years and improve the sailing experience and add value to the boat.

 

[DArcy]

There appears to be water damage on the bulkhead around the mast just aft of the sink across from the head. It looks like a deck stepped mast but water may have entered around the wiring. Check the mast step and measure moisture in the deck under and around the mast.

Having spent far too many hours bent over an Atomic 4, I am envious of that engine access. Mine was neatly tucked under the cockpit and required a lot of boat yoga to access the transmission and water pump. The alternator would be challenging to access however.

The gate valve through hull is a bit of a concern. Since the boat is out of the water, try to move all the through hull valves.

 

[Kings Gambit]

… and standing rigging as well. $8500 asking price

Maybe so. But I’d advise having a rigger inspect. The shroud swages can develop stress cracks that one needs a magnifying glass to see well. Also, need someone to go up, or else bring the rig down to inspect. If it’s down, may as well put on new.