rot at the bottom of mast

[mjewell]

hello all:i am looking at a cat 25 to purchase, and it will be my first boat. i went and looked at it today, and other than just needing some general cleaning and wood work, i found a nasty looking wood rot problem at the base of the mast, under the forward seat. what i need to know is whether or not this should be a boat to be avoided, or is it repairable.i am mechanically inclined, so most anything that needs done i can do. should i even try or just leave this for someone else?any help you can provide would be appreciated.mike

 

[Pat]

pass it by

be thankful you caught it. This will only get worse. All the stress from the mast obviously rests on this point. Your deck , that the mast sets on, would eventually start to sink and possibly crack the fiberglass if it already isn't. Sure it can be repaired but unless you get the baot for a song and like the serious repairs I would look for another boat. Just my opinion.

 

[Jon Golliher]

Pass it by

I agree with Pat. There are too many boats out there that just need cosmetic repair and clean up that are priced right to take on that kind of problem..........unless it can be had reeaally cheap and you can do the repair yourself.Good luck,Jon GolliherHappy Daze

 

[Rob 1981 Cat 3019642]

hmmm...

are you willing to take on the task? It might be a fun way to get to know your new boat. It looks like it would involve grinding it out and replacing the compression post (using a temporary support so it don't fall in on you!), then fibreglassing in a new one. I have no idea about this one - I'm just trying to figure out what it would involve.Is there a Catalina 25 association website that has any info there? Don't buy it without a surveyor. The surveyor should be able to tell you the extent of it.Cheers,Rob

 

[mjewell]

thanks for the advice

thank you all for the responses. i am going to go back tomorrow for one more good look at it. a boater friend of mine said about what the first two said...if it can be bought cheap, then it may be worth going after. otherwise, continue my search. i will keep you all posted.mike