I currently own a 1985 Capri 22 (with the race package) which has been a delight to own and sail, with the exception of the fact that I'm not a racer, and am 6'2" and that makes the cabin rather small, etc. I have heard about a 1974 Catalina 27 with the inboard engine that is for sale on the lake where we keep our boat. I have not gone to look at it yet. I have thought for a while that I wanted to move up to a larger boat where the boom would be more that four feet above the floor of the cockpit, and the cabin would be large enough to really move around in and use comfortably for my wife, daughter and I. This has led me to think about either a Catalina 25/250 or 27/270. Realistically I know that I am not looking for a new boat, but rather a solid used boat given the costs involved, hence I probably am looking at something in the same age range or older than our current boat. My questions are: 1) Were the early C-27's, such as a 1974 prone to any particular problems, etc., and if so what, or should they be ruled out simply because of age or being that early in the production run of C27's? 2) I believe that this probably has been a fresh water boat its entire life, so there may not be corrision issues that would come from salt water exposure, but, where are corrosion problems likely to be occurring? 3) Is there a breakpoint, in terms of year of production, when the C-27's suddenly improved, etc., or is it something where you really can't go wrong?? 4) If you were looking to buy one, what would you look for?? 5) What would you look for to rule a specific boat out of consideration ??? 6) Any specific comments, thoughts or issues I should be asking about that I have missed?? Thanks alot in advance for people's input on this. I feel the desire to move up, but don't want to go from a boat that really is solid and doesn't have problems, to a boat that might not be in as good shape, without having my eyes open and knowing what I am getting into......... George
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners
Check the archives
Hi George, There have been a couple of really good discussions about the C27 lately. Check out the archives for more details. In the meantime, I own a 73 C27 and love it. I think that would be perfect for 3 people for what you want to do. Boats in freshwater don't have the same corrosion issues but they do get blisters more often. If they're small, you're golden - mostly just cosmetic but should be attended to eventually. The through-hulls are more likely "to-hulls" - pipes fiberglassed to the hull, rather than a true through-hull. Those should be replaced asap. Your standing rigging is also probably original. This will need to be replaced relatively soon cuz unexpected failures are common. It's quite possible that the chainplates leaked and saturated the coring - that's bad news. If you feel any soft spots or see any compression cracks in the gelcoat, run away! You'll also probably see stress cracks in the gelcoat that look like spiders. Most of the time, these are cosmetic and just an issue of the age of the boat. Not a biggie. Check the keelbolts for corrosion
Hi George, There have been a couple of really good discussions about the C27 lately. Check out the archives for more details. In the meantime, I own a 73 C27 and love it. I think that would be perfect for 3 people for what you want to do. Boats in freshwater don't have the same corrosion issues but they do get blisters more often. If they're small, you're golden - mostly just cosmetic but should be attended to eventually. The through-hulls are more likely "to-hulls" - pipes fiberglassed to the hull, rather than a true through-hull. Those should be replaced asap. Your standing rigging is also probably original. This will need to be replaced relatively soon cuz unexpected failures are common. It's quite possible that the chainplates leaked and saturated the coring - that's bad news. If you feel any soft spots or see any compression cracks in the gelcoat, run away! You'll also probably see stress cracks in the gelcoat that look like spiders. Most of the time, these are cosmetic and just an issue of the age of the boat. Not a biggie. Check the keelbolts for corrosion
D
Dave Z.
I'm 6'1"
Bought a '79 a few weeks ago. I can stand upright under the hatch (while closed), can lean against the galley (I have a port-side midships galley)
Bought a '79 a few weeks ago. I can stand upright under the hatch (while closed), can lean against the galley (I have a port-side midships galley)
J
Joe Passanisi
Love mine
I have a 1974 outboard. I love the etra storage where the inboard goes. I put a very large battery bank in there. Most of the uprgrades you can do yourself. There are several web sights that list the improvements. I did many creature comfort improvements on mine this year. Next year I will do all the rigging, chainplates, caulking, painting etc. I got mine fairly cheap and am very happy with it. The biggest thing is my wife loves the roomness compaired to our lancer 25. If you really want the in's and outs and do's and don'ts. I always say LaDonna knows best. Good luck Joe Passanisi
I have a 1974 outboard. I love the etra storage where the inboard goes. I put a very large battery bank in there. Most of the uprgrades you can do yourself. There are several web sights that list the improvements. I did many creature comfort improvements on mine this year. Next year I will do all the rigging, chainplates, caulking, painting etc. I got mine fairly cheap and am very happy with it. The biggest thing is my wife loves the roomness compaired to our lancer 25. If you really want the in's and outs and do's and don'ts. I always say LaDonna knows best. Good luck Joe Passanisi
J
John Eastin
1972 C27
We have a 1972 C27 and absolutely love it. This one had been a salt water boat all her life. Prior to purchase we had a survey the previous owner had done within 2 years. Naturally Boat US wanted a complete new one done which we did. Our boat did indeed have Keel bolt replacement a couple years before we bought her. Other than some funky wiring I still need to work on (this winter) she's in very good shape and very sound. The surveyor was happy and so was Boat US. Bottom line is to go for it. If you're thinking of a 25 and have the option for a 27, personally I'd go for the bigger boat. Ladonna's information is right on the money with regard to pricing...at least that's what I'm seeing them list for in Puget Sound. Happy sailing.
We have a 1972 C27 and absolutely love it. This one had been a salt water boat all her life. Prior to purchase we had a survey the previous owner had done within 2 years. Naturally Boat US wanted a complete new one done which we did. Our boat did indeed have Keel bolt replacement a couple years before we bought her. Other than some funky wiring I still need to work on (this winter) she's in very good shape and very sound. The surveyor was happy and so was Boat US. Bottom line is to go for it. If you're thinking of a 25 and have the option for a 27, personally I'd go for the bigger boat. Ladonna's information is right on the money with regard to pricing...at least that's what I'm seeing them list for in Puget Sound. Happy sailing.
K
Kenneth
Survey
I would definitely spend the time and money to have the boat surveyed. We bought a 27 last November and the information we received was great. The survey gave us suggestions for upgrades and future things to look out for. Really did a lot to make us feel comfortable about buying this boat. Good Luck!
I would definitely spend the time and money to have the boat surveyed. We bought a 27 last November and the information we received was great. The survey gave us suggestions for upgrades and future things to look out for. Really did a lot to make us feel comfortable about buying this boat. Good Luck!
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Rob
All the Right Questions
George - You are asking all the right questions. This is a great preliminary information session for you. I only recommend that you survey it, which your insurance will mandate anyway. Don't believe the keel will make a difference, as the Finger Lakes are all pretty deep anyway, right? Don't let the inboard scare you - while it does eat up space, it gives you great power and keeps the screw in the water when things get nasty. Being a former Western New Yorker, I remember what those fall Nor'Westers are like when they come screaming in off the Great Lakes. An inboard will earn its keep during just one of those days, especially when backing down on approach to your slip. And as I warn other folks, don't get scared off if the engine is an Atomic 4 - I have one, and they are great power plants if properly maintained. Best of Luck, and post back to let us know how things turned out! Rob
George - You are asking all the right questions. This is a great preliminary information session for you. I only recommend that you survey it, which your insurance will mandate anyway. Don't believe the keel will make a difference, as the Finger Lakes are all pretty deep anyway, right? Don't let the inboard scare you - while it does eat up space, it gives you great power and keeps the screw in the water when things get nasty. Being a former Western New Yorker, I remember what those fall Nor'Westers are like when they come screaming in off the Great Lakes. An inboard will earn its keep during just one of those days, especially when backing down on approach to your slip. And as I warn other folks, don't get scared off if the engine is an Atomic 4 - I have one, and they are great power plants if properly maintained. Best of Luck, and post back to let us know how things turned out! Rob
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