New to me needs some work (advice)

JUUD

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Aug 25, 2021
19
Catalina C25 Redbud Marina, Oologah Lake
I purchased a C25 today for $1400.00 USD with a running Suzuki outboard.

She's been sitting in a slip for several years and had a bottom job ten years ago.

The standing rigging LOOKS good but I'm more than likely going to have to replace all of the lines.

All the cabin cushions are there but need to be reupholstered.

She obviously needs some woodwork, sealing, cleaning, and painting.

Any and all advice and /or opinions are welcome.

Thanks!
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Tom J

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Sep 30, 2008
2,301
Catalina 310 Quincy, MA
She looks like a good, solid boat. A lot of elbow grease and TLC, and she will be a fun boat to own. Is she a center boarder?
 
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Jan 11, 2014
11,321
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
It looks like a boat with some potential. Asking for advice here is a good start. Be forewarned you'll get lots of suggestions and advice, it could be over whelming.

In general terms set some priorities. Start with categories, like safety, sailability, comfort, and cool stuff. When I buy a new to me boat, first priority are things that will make the boat safer and keep her on top of the water and not under along with a few relatively inexpensive cool things, because they're cool. Cosmetics tend to come last although washing and waxing are inexpensive ways to make the boat look good.

Begin your list and when you ask questions provide photos and be specific, i.e., I need a new main sheet, suggestions?

Good Luck and we're all here to help you enjoy your boat and get the most out of her.
 
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Dec 25, 2000
5,702
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
Hi Juud. Congrats on your boat. Seems like a good deal. However, if it were me, before plunking down much money on above the waterline stuff, I would have a marine surveyor check the hull for integrity. That way I would know that whatever I did to the boat, at least some comfort knowing I have a good foundation to build upon.
 
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JUUD

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Aug 25, 2021
19
Catalina C25 Redbud Marina, Oologah Lake
Thanks, dlochner. Sound advice.
She's floating and won't be leaving the slip for a while yet.
I forgot to mention that I'll be sleeping aboard over the weekends and any other consecutive days off since the marina is so far from my home in Tulsa.
Priority number one for me is clearing all the junk and bugs out and giving her a good scrub inside the cabin so I don't get eaten up by creepy crawlies.
Secondly I'm going to be sealing. Everything. Beyond that I haven't really made a plan yet.
 

JUUD

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Aug 25, 2021
19
Catalina C25 Redbud Marina, Oologah Lake
Thanks, Terry Cox. Also good advice and I plan on doing that just as soon as she's sitting in a cradle on land.
 
Jan 11, 2014
11,321
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Thanks, dlochner. Sound advice.
She's floating and won't be leaving the slip for a while yet.
I forgot to mention that I'll be sleeping aboard over the weekends and any other consecutive days off since the marina is so far from my home in Tulsa.
Priority number one for me is clearing all the junk and bugs out and giving her a good scrub inside the cabin so I don't get eaten up by creepy crawlies.
Secondly I'm going to be sealing. Everything. Beyond that I haven't really made a plan yet.
In that case, invest in a small pressure washer! :biggrin:

FYI, in the world of screwed up supply chains, good foam is hard to find. You'll want to replace the foam as well as the fabric for your cushions. Sailrite.com is a good source for the DIY sailor.
 

JUUD

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Aug 25, 2021
19
Catalina C25 Redbud Marina, Oologah Lake
No doubt. dlochner.
Luckily I have a pressure washer already. I've also read the oxalic acid does wonders.
 

Johnb

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Jan 22, 2008
1,419
Hunter 37-cutter Richmond CA
Exposure to Oxalic Acid can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, convulsions, coma and even death. ► Prolonged or repeated contact can cause a skin rash, pain, redness, blisters, and slow healing ulcers.

On the other hand, elbow grease is:
Free
Good exercise
Harmless to the environment

It is important to bear in mind that the inside of a boat a very tight environment. Please familiarize yourself with the hazards of everything: paint, varnish, bleach, dust, glue, epoxy, hardener, CO, CO2, propane, gasoline, mold..................
 

JUUD

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Aug 25, 2021
19
Catalina C25 Redbud Marina, Oologah Lake
Thanks, Johnb.
That's good advice for anyone.
I remodel houses and campers for a living so I am familiar with the precautions needed when working with various chemicals.
 
Jan 19, 2010
12,362
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
In that case, invest in a small pressure washer! :biggrin:
+1
If you have power at the slip I’d recommend an electric.
And a shop vac. Don’t be afraid to take the pressure washer inside the cabin
 
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Jan 7, 2011
4,723
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
I would remove everything possible from the interior, and spray some bleach/water mixture all over….then hit it with a power washer and see how much of the mold and stuff you can get out of there….including th bilge. If there
are water tanks on board, you also need to open them up and figure out how to clean and disinfect them.

A shop vac can work wonders for getting a boat clean, and for getting water out of the bilge, tanks, etc.

I use Bar Keepers Friend for cleaning the fiberglass and removing stains. It has some oxallic acid in it. It is abrasive though, so don’t use it when you have nice shiny glass ;-).

First priority for me, since are going to sleep on board would be to get the interior clean, free of mold, and liveable.

Fun project!

Greg
 
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Mar 30, 2013
700
Allied Seawind MK II 32' Oologah Lake, Oklahoma
Welcome to Redbud Marina and Oologah Lake. My 2nd home as well.
Good sound advice so far. Get the ole gal scrubbed down and that'll make finding problems easier.
I'll drop you a PM for more local info.
 
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JUUD

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Aug 25, 2021
19
Catalina C25 Redbud Marina, Oologah Lake
Thanks, rgranger and Tally Ho.
I honestly hadn't thought about pressure washing the cabin interior.
Figured I'd just take the handle off of my deck brush and go at it with a bucket of bleach water. Although I think I need to do some work on the bilge pump before I get too carried away with water inside the cabin.
 
Feb 25, 2014
95
Catalina 30 Grand Lake. Wyandotte, Ok.
Congrats and welcome to the forum. I am on Grand Lake so you are not too far away. Like Tally Ho said clean it with bleach and water. Soft scrub does a wonderful job to. Leaves a little film so a good wiping is needed. I found toilet bowl cleaner diluted and sprayed on works great. Let is sit and spay again and scrub. Get a hand brush with a handle it will work better. Make sure the bilge pump works first. Then take her out for a spin. There is wind coming this weekend. Most of all... Have fun, enjoy and good luck.
 
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Dec 25, 2000
5,702
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
We used Soft Scrub brand cleaner to remove mold, stains and other discolorations when taking possession of our new to us boat. Very effective cleaner for most all surfaces. Be sure to keep us posted on your progress.
 
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Oct 26, 2010
1,882
Hunter 40.5 Beaufort, SC
Secondly I'm going to be sealing. Everything. Beyond that I haven't really made a plan yet.
@JUUD Notice you said you'd be sealing everything. As most will tell you, silicone is not the best sealant for a boat and by and large you want to avoid silicone when you can. Many will say a No-No since once you put on silicone it is nearly impossible to remove and use something else making further sealing a real chore. I am sure others will chime in with suggestions. It depends a lot on what you are sealing. Best of luck with your project and I'm looking forward to pictures when you get her ship-shape.

By the way, don't use 3M 5200 as a sealant unless you want it permanent. It's an adhesive, not a sealant. There are lots of other appropriate sealants. 5200 is the Devil's glue.
 
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JUUD

.
Aug 25, 2021
19
Catalina C25 Redbud Marina, Oologah Lake
Congrats and welcome to the forum. I am on Grand Lake so you are not too far away. Like Tally Ho said clean it with bleach and water. Soft scrub does a wonderful job to. Leaves a little film so a good wiping is needed. I found toilet bowl cleaner diluted and sprayed on works great. Let is sit and spay again and scrub. Get a hand brush with a handle it will work better. Make sure the bilge pump works first. Then take her out for a spin. There is wind coming this weekend. Most of all... Have fun, enjoy and good luck.
I managed to get everything pulled out of the cabin and started on the V berth the other day.
Worked on cleaning the foam cushions yesterday and they're still drying today.

I used a bleach cleaner with a Scotchbrite pad to get the mildew off, wiped it down with clean water and then went back over it with Pine-Sol (the kind with actual pine oil) and water to help deter bugs.
Didn't get many pictures but these will give you an idea.
Pay no attention to the dirty camera lens.

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