New Catalina Owner Here ('85, SR)

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N

NorCalCruiser

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Aug 16, 2012
16
Catalina 30 mkI San Francisco
Hey all,
I've owned and raced dinghies, and crewed on keelboats for 20 years. Getting my first keelboat of my own next week- 1985 Catalina 30, standard rig.
It will be berthed on San Francisco Bay, and hopefully we will enjoy many years of happy cruising and an occasional beer-can race!
I'm sure I'll have a ton of questions with this being my first keel boat...
Cheers,
Mike
 
N

NorCalCruiser

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Aug 16, 2012
16
Catalina 30 mkI San Francisco
Thanks.
The boat is being shipped from Michigan to California next week. It's from a family member, so I'm getting a very very good deal on the boat. It looks to be in great shape, although I'm a little worried about the engine because it hasn't been started in 4 years (she's been on the hard...)
 
F

foolproof

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Jul 7, 2009
218
Catalina 30 Mark I Stockton, Mo
I bought a 1976 Tall Rig a few years ago, that had been out of the water for 8 years. The engine is a Yanmar 11 hp diesel, and it started right up with some fresh fuel and a new fuel pump. It has served faithfully for the entire summer with nary a hiccup. Don't be too afraid of yours...just go through it and make sure it is ship-shape before you try to start it.

Congrats, and enjoy!!
 
Bob S

Bob S

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Sep 27, 2007
1,805
Beneteau 393 New Bedford, MA
I bought my C30 that sat on the hard for 6 years. I'm sure it was stored without fuel as the tank was as clean as a whistle. I wasn't present when they got her ready for a sea trial but she's run great for the 5 seasons I've owned her. (Universal M25XP)
Congrats! I here SF is one of the best areas to sail. Good Wind.
 
J

jrhamp

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Jul 26, 2011
23
Catalina 38' Key West (seasonal)
Just a couple of suggestions from a new owner..1982 Catalina standard rig. 11 HP Universal.
1. You might wish to change the diesel, if any if left in the tank. Make certain the tank is clear of any water accumulation-

2. Check and/or change the thermostat-If is broken or inoperable, no water thru the engine and may overheat and cause damage. Also, you may wish to change the impeller.

3. Change fan belt.

4. Assuming you have an electric fuel pump..there are a number of replacement now since the boat was built that are more reliable and functionally much better-

5. Of course, change the oil (sucking the oil out thru the dip stick or other)

6. Check and or replace all clamps in the boat..rust and old age may cause them to break or leak at an in-opportune time-

7. The exhaust flap at the exit of the exhaust and water is no doubt broken-install a new one while out of the water to prevent water from coming back into the exhaust hose and or engine. Try Catalina direct at about $35.00 (stainless steel)

8. You might wish to change the water pressure pump..new today for about $150.00..quiet and smooth operation for the sink, shower and such-

9. I suspect the cushions are old and may need replacement. Try my post on cushions on this name "handle". Mine look really great for about $250.00. If you need any specific info on cushions, please let me know.

10. Alot of people want to wax their boat. Try PoliGlow..what a great product and the boat look just terrific. Google "poliglow" and read some of the comments. To clean your boat...try Starbrite..works also terrific for cleaning first..then Poliglow-

That's about it for now.

Randy
s/v RagTime/2707
Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West, Florida
 
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N

NorCalCruiser

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Aug 16, 2012
16
Catalina 30 mkI San Francisco
Randy, thanks a bunch!
re: 1) The former owner says he added some "stabilizer" to the diesel fuel thats currently in the tank when he originally hauled out the boat to go on the hard 4 years ago. I'm thinking that if I top it off with some fresh diesel, we'll be ok. But perhaps it would be better to just drain the tank and start fresh (although im trying to do as much as i can by myself and am not sure what i would do with the old diesel).
2-6) Roger that. Perhaps I should just suck it up and have a pro get this thing going!
7) sounds like an easy fix
8) on a related topic, the boat has a new hot water water, but its not installed...
9) luckily the cushions were stored off the boat and look great
10) will do, once we get all the major stuff out of the way and get the bottom painted, waxing and doing the teak will be next
 
J

jrhamp

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Jul 26, 2011
23
Catalina 38' Key West (seasonal)
On the issue of diesel. The sender is about 1" off the bottom of the tank. Since water is heavier than diesel..you may wish to take the cap off (it is just a few screws) and look at the tank inside with a flashlight. Aside from alot of water (perhaps came in via the diesel cap leaking)..it was very dirty with alot of accumulated "dirt". I had the tank cleaned out...the guy simply sucks the diesel out..at the same time cleaning the diesel..the sucking all the remaining diesel out.


I sucked up the water and burned out the fuel pump..which needed replacement anyway.

Without validation of the engine performing...sailing..especially as a FNG adds to
a sense of confidence.

Good luck/Randy
 
N

NorCalCruiser

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Aug 16, 2012
16
Catalina 30 mkI San Francisco
So apparently the bottom is currently VC17. I'm willing to strip it if need be, but could i get away with some light sanding, and then a few coats of VC Offshore directly on top of the VC17?
 
N

NorCalCruiser

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Aug 16, 2012
16
Catalina 30 mkI San Francisco
ok, im 99% sure im just gonna remove all the vc17.

what bottom paint to people recommend for cold saltwater? She will only be raced in the occasional beer can race...
 
C

cacsail

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Jul 12, 2004
10
- - N Muskegon
Congrats on your new boat. We too have an 85 for 9 years and love her. She has taken us far and wide on Lake Michigan. I want to respectfully disagree with prior post regarding polyglow. That stuff looks good for the first two years but then there is discoloring. The only way to get rid of it is to strip it The product they sell to do was worthless. It took us over 40 hours to sand it down to the gelcoat. Put a good wax on it and it looks great. Talk to other former polyglow users and they will agree. Saf
 
fstbttms

fstbttms

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Feb 26, 2011
1,440
Achilles SD-130 Alameda, CA
NorCalCruiser said:
ok, im 99% sure im just gonna remove all the vc17.

what bottom paint to people recommend for cold saltwater? She will only be raced in the occasional beer can race...
Click to expand
As I mentioned in your SA thread, I think you should go with Pettit Trinidad SR. Hands down the best, longest lasting, most effective anti fouling paint available in California. 2 coats on the hull, 3 on the waterline and leading/trailing edges of the appendages. With proper maintenance, you will get 3+ years of good service from it.
 
R

rbmcintire

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Mar 11, 2010
292
Catalina Tall Rig/ Fin Keel Deale, MD
Norcal,
If you are taking it down to gelcoat, and after repairs, fairing, and some dry time, consider a 10mil Interlux 2000e coating. Last winter I had our yard remove 26 years of bottom paint, and I thought I was getting a soda blast, but it turned out to be a guy with a sander an' some 50 grit. Definitely review the situation, your mileage may vary, but with the age of our boat (an '84), I liked the idea of the epoxy and it's a perfect primer for ablative. We used West Marine CPP, as it's made by Petit, and it's rated a pretty decent mid-grade product.

Good Luck, and Welcome!

Rob
 
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