New Catalina Owner (Initial Prep, Etc)

[svltrack]

Hello All..

This is my first post on the Forum. I am a brand new Catalina owner and am amped up about getting on the water again after a long hiatus (close to 15 years).

I picked up the boat and have "reasonable" expectations for it since it is going on 34 years old now. My basic goals are to get out a few weekends this summer to cut my teeth for a second time. I would also like to visit the boat on weekends and bunk.

I used to teach sailing to campers when I was a teen on a medium lake in the pocono's so I am very familiar with the processes. What escapes me is any real knowledge on the Catalina 22, as well as most of the jargon used in/around sailboats. Please forgive me but it has been almost half my life since I had to remember the "real" names for the parts of a boat, and most of the boats we had went together with a total of 15 parts.

Ok, the real questions to start. The first is what to look for in sealing the cabin so that if I bunk on a rainy night I do not wake up soaked? Second question, what is the "recommended" fix for the essentially non-existant cabin door? The slats of wood from the previous owner I think will just not cut it.. (I am a mechanic by trade and work at a fabrication facility so essentially I can build whatever I want/need at a fair cost) Final question, where does someone find a owners manual for the boat? Does the owners manual for a boat like this detail the riging configuration and what "should" and "should-not" be included?

Thanks in advance for reading my long-winded intro and any help provided..

Joe

 

[Stu Jackson]

Joe, there's a little book, paperback size, but pretty thick, called "Sailing illustrated" by Patrick Royce, that also has a great writeup for the C22.

"Sailing for Dummies" is also a great book for your intended use.

You could also get a manual for the boat on the C22 Association website, www.catalina22.org (or maybe .com).

The "hatchboards" are a reality, and should work since they should have overlapped ends (I forget the right term). Or you could build doors. Google Zarcor or Cruising Concepts for manufactured ones.

Great boat, have fun. The more time you spend on her, the more fun you'll have.

 

[Bilbo]

Hi Joe,
The first thing that you may want is that owner's manual from http://www.catalina22.org (it is Org) The org has a tech manual if you are a member there is a discount. There are things there that you do't need to pay for though.
You can also purchase from Catalina Direct ( http://catalinadirect.com/ ) their handbook (A listing of all the parts by name and catalog number) They sell exact replacement parts and some neat upgrades.

There are also some interesting web sites such as :
http://www.chipford.com/

http://home.comcast.net/~catalina22fleet20/techtips/


The 3 original Teak hatch boards for a C22 are supposed to be rabbeted but not glue-joined so that water doesn't come in between them and the top board should have louvered vents. to allow air circulation.

Is your boat brand new? If not, fixing specific issues that you may have depends upon the boat year sometimes because they have a few different models since they started making them. Water can come in from leaky windows or leaky chain plates...for example. The water intrusion can damage the interior parts as well as the deck's wood core. So it's more of an issue than waking up soaked. These are great boats if they are maintained well. I wish you as much enjoyment that I've been having with mine.

 

[svltrack]

Thanks for the help!!

I must comment that I dabble in various interests in my life and so far the people in and around sailboats take the cake for being the most responsive and helpful people! From the people who I purchased it from to some of the PMs and help on here it is really nice.

I did a preliminary inspection prior to purchase but finally it will be here Sunday. I am going to take a bit of time going over it top to bottom to test the various points which concern me. Crossing my fingers that I did not miss anything initially..

 

[jfrench]

Check the keel winch line for loose strands (called "meathooks" for the way they grab your skin). These can chew up the rubber hose. Check the rubber hose that houses the keel winch line and its hose clamp. Part of the hose sits below the water line. Get a hole in it or have it come off at the hose clamp and you'll take on water like a fire hose.

Buy a rigging tension gauge if one didn't come with the boat. Read how to set the mast rake and rigging tension and set it correctly, don't guess.

If you're trailering, pull the wheels, clean, check, and repack the wheel bearings. Check the tires to ensure they're trailer tires and not automotive (cheaper) tires. Trailer tires have heavier sidewalls to withstand the side loads of a swaying trailer on the road.

After that, do the other 300 things the boat will need!

when you finally sail: Make sure you have good life jackets. Don't assume the ones that come with the boat are in good shape. If you're taking kids out, have another adult on board (you'll be busy). Keep the ratio of adults to kids about 1 to 1.

Happy boating!