Negotiate or run

[Celtic_Wind]

My wife and I are looking at Catalina 34's in the Southern California area. This will be our first boat, but I consider myself a semi-handy guy and I'm not afraid to work on things or learn. I plan on learning about diesel engines and other necessary maintenance and repairs. I've done plumbing, electrical, and construction for myself when I was younger and couldn't really afford to pay someone else, and since we're retired, I've got time on my hands, (I'm sure that I'll be sorry I said that...)

A broker gave us a copy of a survey from August 2014 on a 1988.

Survey states it's in "overall good condition", but mentions a dozen things to be addressed, as expected, but a couple things cause me concern:

1. Hollow soundings at the 3rd aft stanchion base port and starboard. Service or repair as necessary to stem further water intrusion.
2. There is a small "Catalina smile" that has not yet separated.

On the Mechanical Survey:

1. There has been a significant ongoing bypass of water below the raw water pump. Monitor the raw water pump for leaking salt water onto the lower portion of the engine.
2. A closed cooling pressure test was conducted to 14 psi for 15 minutes with a 1 psi drop in pressure. Determine significance of the 1 psi pressure drop in the cooling system and repair or service as necessary.
3. Manufacturer rated horsepower is 23 at 3200 rpm. During sea trial the wide open throttle was 2400 rpm as read from the analog tachometers. Determine significance of less than manufacturer rated rpm and service as necessary.

With all that being said, should I continue to pursue this boat or run from it? We still have a few more boats to visit here in Southern California, so it's not the only option.

Also, We've looked at three 34's so far and all have had wet bilges. Every broker has tried to explain "that's just the way they are". I realize the source of the water needs to be determined, but it a dry bilge the white whale of Catalina ownership?

Thanks for any thoughts and suggestions.

 

[quadrille38]

There's no one more knowledgeable on Catalina 34 than Stu Jackson. He will I'm sure have significant insights for you.
ALSO CHECK OUT THR C34 Tech notes online. Amazing amount of help there

That said I owned a 1987 Catalina 34 for 17 years. It was 5 years old when we bought it.

It was a great boat. Performed well and was well put together. We loved every minute on it and sold it only because a brand new 38 Hunter came into our lives. So here are some of my thoughts.

My wife and I are looking at Catalina 34's in the Southern California area. This will be our first boat, but I consider myself a semi-handy guy and I'm not afraid to work on things or learn. I plan on learning about diesel engines and other necessary maintenance and repairs. I've done plumbing, electrical, and construction for myself when I was younger and couldn't really afford to pay someone else, and since we're retired, I've got time on my hands, (I'm sure that I'll be sorry I said that...) A broker gave us a copy of a survey from August 2014 on a 1988. Survey states it's in "overall good condition", but mentions a dozen things to be addressed, as expected, but a couple things cause me concern: 1. Hollow soundings at the 3rd aft stanchion base port and starboard. Service or repair as necessary to stem further water intrusion.

SOME ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION IS REQUIRES HERE. IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE THAT THE BEDDING ON THE STANCHIONS FAILED AMD WATER HAS INTRUDED. IT IS FIXABLE BIT WILL REQUIRE WORK. YOU MAY HAVE TO CORE OUT THE WET WOOD AND FILL WITH EPOXY. IF YOU ARE HANDY IT IS SOMETHING YOU CAN DO YOURSELF. DO A SEARCH ON HERE AND I AM SURE YOU WILL FIND POSTINGS ON THIS.





2. There is a small "Catalina smile" that has not yet separated.
ALMOST EVERY CATALINA HAS A SMILE. YOU CAN GRIND OUT THE CRACK FAIR AND FILL, BUT IT WILL LIKELY COME BACK ANYWAY. OUR 87 HAD ONE AND I JUST LIVED WITH IT. JUST MAKES SURE THE KEEL BOLTS ARE PROPERLY TORQUED. ON SOME OF THE EARLY MODES OF CATALINA 34 THEY HAD PLYWOOD IMBEDDED IN THE FIBERGLASS. THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE BOLTS LEAKING, THE WOOD GETTING WET AND ROTTING. A FRIEND WITH A 1986 SPEN A LOT OF TIME GRINDING OUT THE BILGE AND THEN REBUILDING THE AREA.


On the Mechanical Survey: 1. There has been a significant ongoing bypass of water below the raw water pump. Monitor the raw water pump for leaking salt water onto the lower portion of the engine.
NOT SURE ON THIS BUT I WONDER IF REPLACING THE WATER PUMP WOULD SOLVE IT. IF SO ITS NOT A HORRIBLE JOB.

2. A closed cooling pressure test was conducted to 14 psi for 15 minutes with a 1 psi drop in pressure. Determine significance of the 1 psi pressure drop in the cooling system and repair or service as necessary.

THIS SOMEWHAT CONCERNS ME AS IT COULD SIGNAL A COOLANT LEAK. IF ITS INTO THR ENGINE THAT COULD BE COSTLY.


3. Manufacturer rated horsepower is 23 at 3200 rpm. During sea trial the wide open throttle was 2400 rpm as read from the analog tachometers. Determine significance of less than manufacturer rated rpm and service as necessary.


TACHS ARE NOTORIOUSLY INACCURATE. GET A STROBE TACH AND CHECK IT OUT. IT MIGHT JUST BE AN INACCURATE GAUGE. NEXT IT COULD BE ANYTHING FROM AN INCORRECT PROP PITCH, FOULED PROPELLOR, ETC.

With all that being said, should I continue to pursue this boat or run from it? We still have a few more boats to visit here in Southern California, so it's not the only option. Also, We've looked at three 34's so far and all have had wet bilges. Every broker has tried to explain "that's just the way they are". I realize the source of the water needs to be determined, but it a dry bilge the white whale of Catalina ownership? Thanks for any thoughts and suggestions.

AS TO NEGOTIATE OR RUN, I GUESS IT DEPENDS ON THE ASKING PRICE AND HOW THIS BOAT COMPARES TO COMPARABLE BOATS.

 

[Celtic_Wind]

Quadrille,

Thanks for the quick response. I've spent some time on the C34 website, very good information there, and have seen Stu's postings here. I also appreciate your personal insights on Catalina 34's.
We'll be checking a few more out here in Southern California, we sure do like the room and looks of them. Seems like a great combination for sailing and living. We've got a lot to learn, but San Diego's a great location and we think the C34 may be the best choice for us. We just keep asking ourselves what took us so long!

Thanks again.

 

[Stu Jackson]

1. Hollow soundings at the 3rd aft stanchion base port and starboard. Service or repair as necessary to stem further water intrusion.
2. There is a small "Catalina smile" that has not yet separated.

On the Mechanical Survey:

1. There has been a significant ongoing bypass of water below the raw water pump. Monitor the raw water pump for leaking salt water onto the lower portion of the engine.
2. A closed cooling pressure test was conducted to 14 psi for 15 minutes with a 1 psi drop in pressure. Determine significance of the 1 psi pressure drop in the cooling system and repair or service as necessary.
3. Manufacturer rated horsepower is 23 at 3200 rpm. During sea trial the wide open throttle was 2400 rpm as read from the analog tachometers. Determine significance of less than manufacturer rated rpm and service as necessary.

Hi,

1. Rebed the stanchion, not a big deal, two stanchions are vents, they leak. Check extent of damage to deck, too.

2. Check the 101 topics on our forum, there's a complete writeup of dropping the keel. Most of us just cut & cover.

1. The PO f-ed up, he didn't read the Critical Upgrades on our forum: he neglected replacing or resealing the rw pump. Easy to do.

2. Could be as simple as replacing the cap. loose hose, hose under the galley sole to the hw heater.

3. Agree, could be a bad alternator, bad tach, bad wiring or no issue at all.

Our website has a ton of info. Read these first:

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5078.0.html

There are bigger issues you should check beyond these.

If you're still interested in that boat, get your own survey.

Happy hunting, do a lot of reading on our website.

Good luck, anything you need, please let me know.

 

[Celtic_Wind]

Stu,

Thank you very much for the response. I've been lurking, and learning, on the C34 website for awhile and appreciate your offer for help.

We're excited about our options and think we've picked the right model for our needs, and a great location here in San Diego as well.

Looking forward to the fun, frustration, and learning to come! To paraphrase Rick in Casablanca; Stu, "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

 

[Stu Jackson]

cw, good to hear, look forward to it.

 

[Steve_Catalina]

One additional item.
Boats with a keel stepped mast will generally have water in the bilge after a rain storm. Our 88 owned for 9 summers is always dry except after a rain. Neither our packing gland or A/C condensation contribute anything to our bilge.

Enjoy your adventure, many fine boats out there and there may even be one or two equal to a Catalina 34.

Steve

 

[Celtic_Wind]

Thanks for the information Steve. Good to know.