Shopping for a Catalina 22

[shank]

Hello,
I'm new here and I'm shopping around for an older Catalina 22 to fit my budget. I'm looking at a 1987 model this weekend and was wondering if there are any specific known issues or problems with this model year that I should look for? The one I'm looking at has newer sails (main 2012) and genoa (2010), older 2 stroke 4hp outboard, working trailer, Origio alcohol stove, nice interior. They are asking $3,500. What do you think of this price?
Thanks

 

[ShotgunSlim]

Look for rot along the bottom edges of the bulkheads. It's not a deal killer but should get you some price negotiation room. I have an '86 model and paid more than $3500 but it was on the water with everything you mentioned in the price plus a trailer with extendable tongue. It still is the best money I've spent on fun.

 

[CaptDon01]

Is the trailer painted or galvanized? If you play in salt water that will make a BIG difference. That year makes it a "new design" model, prettiest versions I think. Check the swing keel, is it rusty? The price is pretty low, which indicates one or two things to me. Either the owner is sick and tired of it, and just wants it out of his sight, (hard to believe), or he knows of a major problem. That boat with decent sails should go for more than $3,500, especially at the start of the sailing season when boats normally go for a premium price. But who knows, might be a steal.

Don

 

[kito]

Try to find what other c22's sold for in your area. Like CaptDon says, it could be the owner just wants it sold quick. I paid $1500 for my 1984 c22 with galvanized trailer and an old Chrysler 10 hp Sailor motor. The seller was moving out of state the next day and was just wanting to not have to deal with moving it.

 

[Alexander38]

sounds ok, just make sure that the owner hasn't left anything out when explaining problems with the boat. Good luck boat-shopping!

 

[T_Cat]

I bought my 87 for $4K with trailer in California. Nothing but cosmetic upgrades needed.

 

[shank]

Thank you for the responses, everyone. I'll let you know how it goes and if I end up buying it.

 

[shank]

So I bought the boat today and overall I am pretty happy with it but it does have a few condition issues. The sails are nearly perfect but she has been moored in Cape Cod the last 10 years and the keel is pretty rusty. It has the original Load Rite galvanized trailer which also has some surface rust. The bow pulpit was damaged when he was pulling it out of the barn but still usable and I hope to find a used one. The interior looks great and most of the wiring still works. I am hoping to get her on the water soon without doing much work on it until the Fall.

 

[shank]

So I completed the sale on a 87 model this weekend from a really great couple. They pretty much spent the entire day going over the boat, helping us rig her and getting her to the new mooring on Lake Champlain. The first sail went really well although it was snowing here this morning so it might be a few days before we venture out again

Some condition issues I'd like to address are:
- As Shotgunslim predicted, there is some rot on the edges of the top bulkhead. I have no idea how to fix that
- The mainsail cover and cockpit cushions are shot
- Replace the bow pulpit wrapped in duct tape

I'm broke now so I'll have to do these things one at a time.

Thanks

 

[CloudDiver]

You look like you are in pretty good shape... from a distance it does not appear that the keel is so badly rusted it would need a full keel job. To sail for the summer I would just wire brush the areas of bad rust, put on some primer and a little fresh bottom paint. You might get a little more rust by the end of the summer, but not enough to hurt it any more. You can tackle an epoxy job on the keel after you haul out for the winter, and it won't be nearly as bad as mine was.
Don't worry about the rot on the interior wood just yet... there was probably a leak that can be easily fixed. Later in the winter you can remove the bulkheads and repair the water damage, it is not hard. You can buy some butyl tape for $25 and re-bed your hardware to prevent leaks for this season.
From the pics I see your boat is in pretty great shape, the only things you'd need to do are elbow grease. Don't worry about the seat cushions... UV kills everything over time, it happens to the best of us. Cheapest fix is buy a used heavy duty sewing machine off craigslist and learn to sew. After doing some basic projects and refining your skills you'll be able to make all the cushion covers and sail covers you'll need just for the cost of material.

If you want some more specific advice about any problems you find take some more detailed, close up pictures and post them here. Lots of members on this forum have tackled just about every major and minor job that is possible on a C-22. For now you look like you are in good shape, enjoy a summer sailing her and plan bigger improvements for the fall.