I've been checking out mid 70's Catalina 30's. I like the idea of restoring an older boat. One of things I notice in many of the pictures I see online is that the wood (bulkheads and trim ) need to be restored. Is it as easy as sanding, sealing, staining and varnishing? Are the bulkheads made up of a vaneer? Are there any books or other resources that someone could point me to? Thank you.
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C30 Restoration
I’m sure the C30 association has a fine website, but to answer your question, I believe that Catalina does use teak faced plywood for many of their interior components, probably bulkheads included. I have known people that have lightly sanded the interior woodwork and then either oiled or varnished the surface. There are newer finishes that will do the job. Current Catalina’s use a water based finish called Target. Interior trim is often solid wood. The exterior trim like handrails and “eyebrows” on older Catalina’s are solid teak. I have not read it, but have heard good things about Don Casey’s “This Old Boat” It seems to be what you may be looking for in restoring an older boat.
I’m sure the C30 association has a fine website, but to answer your question, I believe that Catalina does use teak faced plywood for many of their interior components, probably bulkheads included. I have known people that have lightly sanded the interior woodwork and then either oiled or varnished the surface. There are newer finishes that will do the job. Current Catalina’s use a water based finish called Target. Interior trim is often solid wood. The exterior trim like handrails and “eyebrows” on older Catalina’s are solid teak. I have not read it, but have heard good things about Don Casey’s “This Old Boat” It seems to be what you may be looking for in restoring an older boat.
C30s
Jon's right about Casey's book, it is very good. The reason I recommended the C30 Assoc. is that John Doe (?) asked about teak, however, my recollection is that C30s suffer from bulkhead problems caused by the chainplates, which is a structural issue, not just cosmetic. The C30 assoc has been following and documenting this stuff for years. Stu
Jon's right about Casey's book, it is very good. The reason I recommended the C30 Assoc. is that John Doe (?) asked about teak, however, my recollection is that C30s suffer from bulkhead problems caused by the chainplates, which is a structural issue, not just cosmetic. The C30 assoc has been following and documenting this stuff for years. Stu
Structural Bulkhead Problems
Thanks for the information. I'm curious about the bulkhead problem. I've noticed in several pictures of the older C30's that the bulkhead is streaked around the chainplates. I thought the obvious problem was that the chainplate had leaked. I also saw a brief note on the catalina30 website that mentioned that the factory has replacement parts for the 'chainplate' issue. Could anyone elaborate on the issue? Does the bulkhead twist over time? Is is possible to disassemble the bulkhead and related parts without destroying the integrity of the craft? Thanks for the info.
Thanks for the information. I'm curious about the bulkhead problem. I've noticed in several pictures of the older C30's that the bulkhead is streaked around the chainplates. I thought the obvious problem was that the chainplate had leaked. I also saw a brief note on the catalina30 website that mentioned that the factory has replacement parts for the 'chainplate' issue. Could anyone elaborate on the issue? Does the bulkhead twist over time? Is is possible to disassemble the bulkhead and related parts without destroying the integrity of the craft? Thanks for the info.
Chainplates
The chainplate fix you're likely seeing is to take care of the problem early C30's (and C27's) had in that the lower shroud chainplates were an "eyebolt" that could rotate horizontally at the deck, causing the shroud to rotate, and stressing the SS wires. The replacement is a "U"-bolt attachment rather than the eyebolt, at a cost of about $50 for the kit. To my knowledge, there is no general "fix" if you've got leaking chainplates, other than re-bedding.
The chainplate fix you're likely seeing is to take care of the problem early C30's (and C27's) had in that the lower shroud chainplates were an "eyebolt" that could rotate horizontally at the deck, causing the shroud to rotate, and stressing the SS wires. The replacement is a "U"-bolt attachment rather than the eyebolt, at a cost of about $50 for the kit. To my knowledge, there is no general "fix" if you've got leaking chainplates, other than re-bedding.
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