I am not new to boating but new to sailboats. My wife bought a 1985 Catalina 25 for Christmas for $1000. I am a car dealer and know how to describe pretty good. Below is a description of the boat: Boat has been sitting in fresh water for 10 years and has not been moved. The boat was in BRAND NEW condition when it was parked. Does not look brand-new now. Hull is perfect and gelcoat is not hurt. Bleach and a good buff will bring it out. Interior will be in excellent shape after I remove the 5 tons of mud brought in by dirt-daubers and wasps. Removable carpet will have to be thrown away. Seat cushions need aired out but look fresh. All wood is in good shape but needs heavy cleaning. Interior is very dry with no leaks over the years. Rudder and tiller are missing. Needs two new batteries. Needs a port-a-potty. Needs sail and all cables (I think this is called "rigging"). Needs motor. Small tube railing around cockpit area is broken and needs replaced. Here are my questions? Is this boat worth restoring? Approx. how much will it cost to get the above listed missing items? Any post will be appreciated.
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well you got it,now fix it
Congrats. How much will it cost depends: doing the work yourself? using top notch products to make it right? having someone else install a motor? Can it use an outboard? Actually it probably shouldn't cost more that 2 grand to set up, including hand held VHF, GPA, new rigging (standing and running, outboard, porta potti, soap, scotch bright pads, varnish, beer, and bourbon. Have fun. Get a catalog or two from West Marine and BOAT US. look up the stuff and see if you can buy it online for better discounts.
Congrats. How much will it cost depends: doing the work yourself? using top notch products to make it right? having someone else install a motor? Can it use an outboard? Actually it probably shouldn't cost more that 2 grand to set up, including hand held VHF, GPA, new rigging (standing and running, outboard, porta potti, soap, scotch bright pads, varnish, beer, and bourbon. Have fun. Get a catalog or two from West Marine and BOAT US. look up the stuff and see if you can buy it online for better discounts.
Ummm...
hell yes!!! I think you have done very well for yourself. I'll let others chime in, but other than my 1st boat, some of the best times I ever had were on a 25' Catalina. I'd say you have at least $3000-$5000 to go but you should get most of it back on the backside 4-6 years from now. Depends a lot on the sails. Hope it's a fixed keel boat and not a swing keel.
hell yes!!! I think you have done very well for yourself. I'll let others chime in, but other than my 1st boat, some of the best times I ever had were on a 25' Catalina. I'd say you have at least $3000-$5000 to go but you should get most of it back on the backside 4-6 years from now. Depends a lot on the sails. Hope it's a fixed keel boat and not a swing keel.
Here is your dilemma . . .
I agree with the other posts on about $5K to get the boat in operational condition. The missing items will cost a bit to replace. The problem is that you can get a complete boat in reasonably good condition for the amount of money that will be invested in the boat ($6K) So, unless you have an admiration for boat restoration, it is not a good deal. I am sure you have seen similar cases in the car dealer world.
I agree with the other posts on about $5K to get the boat in operational condition. The missing items will cost a bit to replace. The problem is that you can get a complete boat in reasonably good condition for the amount of money that will be invested in the boat ($6K) So, unless you have an admiration for boat restoration, it is not a good deal. I am sure you have seen similar cases in the car dealer world.
The Outboard is the key
Congradulations. I have owned two Catalina 25's over the years and indeed they are wonderful vessels. If you take everything out of the interior that is not screwed, glued or permanently attached, its all fiberglass and wood bulkheads and teak rails that can be cleaned and restored with plenty of labor. Potta potti's can be purchased at Walmart or Kmart that are priced less the marine stores. Their is a ton of used equipment for that boat you can buy if you take the time to research and locate these sources (sailorman in Florida is one great boat salvage place). The major expense is going to be in the outboard engine. With no tides or currents in fresh water to deal with you can move your vessel with no less than a 5 hp, but it would be preferable to get out of weather in a hurry with a 7.5 hp or greater, especially if you plan any coastal work. This is the greatest expense. Check out used Honda 7.5 4-strokes (late 80') that are perfect for that boat because they have a built in alternator to charge onboard batteries. Watch ebay ("catalina sailboats") and you can locate parts for your boat as well as what is offered in the chandlery here. Their is some truth here that a decent used Catalina 25 with an outboard can be found for 6-8K, but half the fun is taking the pride in messing about in your own boat and if your handy, patient and are yearning to get her out on the water, put in the sweat equity with the result being a ship you can be proud of. Best of luck Bob
Congradulations. I have owned two Catalina 25's over the years and indeed they are wonderful vessels. If you take everything out of the interior that is not screwed, glued or permanently attached, its all fiberglass and wood bulkheads and teak rails that can be cleaned and restored with plenty of labor. Potta potti's can be purchased at Walmart or Kmart that are priced less the marine stores. Their is a ton of used equipment for that boat you can buy if you take the time to research and locate these sources (sailorman in Florida is one great boat salvage place). The major expense is going to be in the outboard engine. With no tides or currents in fresh water to deal with you can move your vessel with no less than a 5 hp, but it would be preferable to get out of weather in a hurry with a 7.5 hp or greater, especially if you plan any coastal work. This is the greatest expense. Check out used Honda 7.5 4-strokes (late 80') that are perfect for that boat because they have a built in alternator to charge onboard batteries. Watch ebay ("catalina sailboats") and you can locate parts for your boat as well as what is offered in the chandlery here. Their is some truth here that a decent used Catalina 25 with an outboard can be found for 6-8K, but half the fun is taking the pride in messing about in your own boat and if your handy, patient and are yearning to get her out on the water, put in the sweat equity with the result being a ship you can be proud of. Best of luck Bob
B.reak O.ut A.nother T.thousand
Quit your whining. Do you or do you not want to join the rest of us elitists who have given life and limb scrubbing,replacing,repairing,frusterated,and beaten by the very vessel we hold dear to our heart. I won't go into the details but once while bellied up to the clubhouse bar after a few rounds the stories began to pour of the tragic amounts of money thrown into the eternal hole, Amounts combined that would afford small villages in 3rd world countries financial support enough to carry them into future generations. I have no sympathy for you. Now stand up like a true sailor and get down to your local marine dealer and open that charge account. Prefferably get a card that offers air miles that way you'll be able to take the family to Hawaii in a couple months.
Quit your whining. Do you or do you not want to join the rest of us elitists who have given life and limb scrubbing,replacing,repairing,frusterated,and beaten by the very vessel we hold dear to our heart. I won't go into the details but once while bellied up to the clubhouse bar after a few rounds the stories began to pour of the tragic amounts of money thrown into the eternal hole, Amounts combined that would afford small villages in 3rd world countries financial support enough to carry them into future generations. I have no sympathy for you. Now stand up like a true sailor and get down to your local marine dealer and open that charge account. Prefferably get a card that offers air miles that way you'll be able to take the family to Hawaii in a couple months.
Try Catalina Direct for all your needs in restorin
It's a good place for parts and you can get an idea of what you need to spend, and what you'll actually spend. I redid a Catalina 22 in my driveway. It took about a year to do,but it was all fun. Plus, I got to know alot about the boat. 800 dollar boat, turned into a 1500 dollar boat or more. But, it was well worth it to me. It was a great stress reducer while workin on it. Sailing it the couple of times I've done so far has been even better. Hope to get out even more this following year.. Good luck with the boat...
It's a good place for parts and you can get an idea of what you need to spend, and what you'll actually spend. I redid a Catalina 22 in my driveway. It took about a year to do,but it was all fun. Plus, I got to know alot about the boat. 800 dollar boat, turned into a 1500 dollar boat or more. But, it was well worth it to me. It was a great stress reducer while workin on it. Sailing it the couple of times I've done so far has been even better. Hope to get out even more this following year.. Good luck with the boat...
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