Thoughts

[sundae_vacay]

To start, I have a 1975 c&c 25ft. It was my first sailboat and I did teach myself to single hand sail on it. I have been going out regularly and enjoy the wind on my face. It came with a full set of sails, cushions, lines, nearly everything to hit the water. It didn't have an engine so I put an outboard on her and I have had no issues, sails quick at 6 knots no problem

I have been given the option to pick up a 1986 c&c 27ft for under 5k with an inboard diesel rebuilt 2 years ago, new sails still in the bags, refit rigging, auto tiller, cradle, and the like. The only issue I am being told it has is a small leak in a port window that caused some mold damage to the cushions and a little bit of discolouration to the wood. They are getting rid of it because of injury and it hasn't been in the water for 2 years, just after engine rebuild. Am I pushing it for 2 ft more of space or am I a sucker for not checking it out? I want to go see it on Sunday to check for soft spots, delamination, cracks, holes and what not. Just want to k ow if it's worth my time. There are no issues with my current setup and I do have someone in mind that would take it off my hands of I went thru with the newer boat. Thoughts and opinions appreciated.

 

[Tally Ho]

You should certainly get eyes on it. I would not necessarily hire a surveyor for a $5k boat, but you certainly should get your own eyes on it.

Greg

 

[mermike]

If you have a place to keep it, I say why not. Check everything thoroughly. If you find an issue, consider hiring an expert to assess the problem.

A surveyor will give you a more general picture of the boats condition. As Greg says, a surveyor is probably overkill, but why not ask one?

 

[sundae_vacay]

Thanks for the help, and I'm pretty much decided that I'm going to go check it out and give it a good once over thoroughly.

 

[jssailem]

Window leaks are a minor inconvenience. The boat sounds like the basic infrastructure is in good condition. If it is as you say, and you like the boat, there is no time like the present to trade up.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Cushions can cost a pretty penny if you can't clean them up or aren't able to sew new ones. The handling of waves will be a big improvement with the addition of just two feet. The difference between an undersized outboard and an inboard is huge. An undersized outboard on a boat is like driving a car with a slipping transmission on ice

The 27' sounds like a fantastic boat that was well cared for other than the leak. Definitely check it out!

 

[BigEasy]

By all means, check it out. Let us know your findings.

 

[sundae_vacay]

So I've examined the boat and the bulkhead is rotted all the way around. Looks like it came in from the anchors for the rigging. The very center where the openings are to go from the main cabin to the Bow cabin are fine, but the entire Edge where it meets the fiberglass hull can be poked easily with a screwdriver. It's basically crumbling around the edge. Thoughts on how hard of a repair that is?

 

[Tally Ho]

This guy (Mads) is quite the character, but he rebuilt this boat, including a major deck repair. He is a bit of a perfectionist, and he likes his tools and stuff…but this gives you an idea what you could be in for. His condition may not be as bad as yours (and he rebuilt this for blue ocean sailing).

There are more videos in this series…I just picked this one because it talks a bit about toe rail issues (which you may have to deal with based on your description of where the rot is).

An O’Day owner here on the forum is working on his deck…maybe this is more like your repair condition…

So It Begins: Deck Recoring Project

So after years of procrastination, I've finally decided to recore Karma's bow and side decks. Karma is a 1981 O'Day 34, I purchased her in 2006. At the time she was showing evidence of moisture intrusion, after almost 18 years its finally time. When I purchased Karma, we spent a year in the...

forums.sailboatowners.com

Greg

 

[JBP-PA]

So I've examined the boat and the bulkhead is rotted all the way around. Looks like it came in from the anchors for the rigging. The very center where the openings are to go from the main cabin to the Bow cabin are fine, but the entire Edge where it meets the fiberglass hull can be poked easily with a screwdriver. It's basically crumbling around the edge. Thoughts on how hard of a repair that is?

If the forward bulkhead is rotted out, I'd suspect other places are rotted as well. Also if the bulkhead is rotted because the chainplates leak, the deck may be rotting too.

 

[sundae_vacay]

If the forward bulkhead is rotted out, I'd suspect other places are rotted as well. Also if the bulkhead is rotted because the chainplates leak, the deck may be rotting too.

That's what I was worried about too. I did find some soft spots on the deck, especially around the lifeline posts, but it was hard to view it since it was under a accessible wrap. It accessibility was maybe a foot and a half to 2 ft tall. On top of that, the keel has a split going down the middle of it at an angle. I can't call it the C&C smile because it's a little too low on the keel so I suspect it's had a few impacts as well.

 

[jssailem]

Rotting is a painful word to use about a boat, especially when discussing a bulkhead.

 

[jssailem]

Okay. Some of the wood is rotted, and some looks water-stained and may not be rotted. The image of the chainplate looks like there has been a deck leak, and the wood is swollen (wavy) but compressed by the bolts.

The keel looks to be showing you the line between the stub and the bottom half of the keel. Inspect it and confirm that the keel is firmly on the boat. There may be bolts and nuts viewable from inside the bilge.

If solid, then you are talking preventive surfacing. You can grind out the filler, refill the gap, and then barrier coat your filler and repaint with bottom paint.

 

[sundae_vacay]

Okay. Some of the wood is rotted, and some looks water-stained and may not be rotted. The image of the chainplate looks like there has been a deck leak, and the wood is swollen (wavy) but compressed by the bolts.

The wood above and below the chain plates is completely rotted. I brought a screwdriver with me just to see if it would pass a poke test and it was so soft that if I had pushed any harder my screwdriver would have gone through it.

 

[shemandr]

The keel crack looks like a normal junction between the stub and the ballast. Why C&C designed it on an angle is a mystery to me. But that wouldn't kill the deal for me.
Rotted wood replacement is a project. Do you need a project?
The 25 is a great boat too - as you know. There was one in our local PHRF fleet that kicked a** and took names. Those folks did all the cruises the rest of us did.
The 27 would probably be a Mark V. I've sailed on a few. I found the cockpit a bit steep to climb up to the high side on when heeled. The one banger diesel may make you miss your outboard. That $5,000 price is not a steal. For a 39 year old boat with structural problems it may be a bit high.
Also, my friend who owned one gave up on it pronouncing it a poor light air boat.

 

[sundae_vacay]

The keel crack looks like a normal junction between the stub and the ballast. Why C&C designed it on an angle is a mystery to me. But that wouldn't kill the deal for me.
Rotted wood replacement is a project. Do you need a project?
The 25 is a great boat too - as you know. There was one in our local PHRF fleet that kicked a** and took names. Those folks did all the cruises the rest of us did.
The 27 would probably be a Mark V. I've sailed on a few. I found the cockpit a bit steep to climb up to the high side on when heeled. The one banger diesel may make you miss your outboard. That $5,000 price is not a steal. For a 39 year old boat with structural problems it may be a bit high.
Also, my friend who owned one gave up on it pronouncing it a poor light air boat.

If it was just cosmetic work like the guy was saying, then it wouldn't have been a problem. I can epoxy coat and fiberglass to floor no problem to make it non-slip. He's already got the board there for that since his original bilge cover was got it out and he trashed it. My problem is all the other rot around the bulkhead, it looks like it was leaking in from not only one of the windows like he said but also from the chain plates and the grab rails that are right above it. May have also been leaking in from the mounting plate for the mast, but I can't confirm that one. All in all, I think it's just too big of a project when I already have a vote 2 ft shorter in the water.

On the other hand, it would be a lot of good spare parts for someone that already has a 27 footer. Also, I was telling somebody else about it and they mentioned that they might have a 35 ft for me. Don't know anything else about that one yet but they were saying it would be around the same price. Going to see if I can check that one out instead but thank you all for the advice! It's been greatly appreciated

 

[jssailem]

As I age, I recognize there is a limit to the size of a boat that I can solo sail successfully. At one time, a 50-foot boat seemed desirable. It was beautiful, yet lugging and managing sails for that size boat would be difficult in good weather and nearly impossible in foul weather.

My 35-foot boat has proven to be my limit. There is plenty of room, yet I have been able to do all the tasks needed to safely operate the boat in varying seas and difficult conditions. Consider this as you explore the boat market.

 

[sundae_vacay]

As I age, I recognize there is a limit to the size of a boat that I can solo sail successfully. At one time, a 50-foot boat seemed desirable. It was beautiful, yet lugging and managing sails for that size boat would be difficult in good weather and nearly impossible in foul weather.

My 35-foot boat has proven to be my limit. There is plenty of room, yet I have been able to do all the tasks needed to safely operate the boat in varying seas and difficult conditions. Consider this as you explore the boat market.

Very wise, and I've actually been considering that as well. At one point I thought my limit would be a 40 to 45. But if I can get my hands on a good 35 I think I would be happy with that. I do prefer the older boats but as I get older I know the newer ones will end up being more desirable because of ease of use. But if I learn on the older ones and trade up as I go, then I'll be better off overall.

 

[JBP-PA]

The wood above and below the chain plates is completely rotted. I brought a screwdriver with me just to see if it would pass a poke test and it was so soft that if I had pushed any harder my screwdriver would have gone through it.

I am always in favor of restoring venerable old boats to their glory, but not everyone has the money and time to squander on them.

 

[sundae_vacay]

I am always in favor of restoring venerable old boats to their glory, but not everyone has the money and time to squander on them.

Time is the issue on this one. Job is demanding.