What do I have?

[Loutheg]

I am a new Catalina owner, which is my first sail boat. I have been a power boater and on our local rivers and Bay since the 1950s. Yeah, I'm old. I always wanted to learn to sail and upon my retirement in 07 I took lessons and have been sailing ever since, usually 2 or 3 times a week. I'm still learning of course but know my way around the rigging.

I became invovled with an old Catalina, 1973 and it is a 27' vessel. But that is all I know about it. I want to get all the specs, info and manuals still available for her but I need to know exactly what I have first. Does the boat have a serial or hull number that can be used to ID the vessel and if so, where is it. I have had no luck finding it.

The boat had an inboard gas engine but that was replaced with a Yanmar diesel just before I got it.

Thanks,

Lou

 

[Skipper]

Hey Lou,

The hull ID will be either on the nameplate - which will be in the cabin, or on the transom near where it meets the deck. Or both.

Go to the Catalina 27 owner's page at http://www.catalina27.org/
Everything you need is likely there.

Also, here's a manual: http://www.catalina27.org/images/77manbook.pdf

 

[Loutheg]

Thank you very much!

Happy Sailing

Lou

 

[Loutheg]

Thanks & Keel concern

Hey Lou,

The hull ID will be either on the nameplate - which will be in the cabin, or on the transom near where it meets the deck. Or both.

Go to the Catalina 27 owner's page at http://www.catalina27.org/
Everything you need is likely there.

Also, here's a manual: http://www.catalina27.org/images/77manbook.pdf

Thanks SKIPPER. I think I found the nameplate inside the hatch at the stern on the inside of the transom. It is a model C-27, Serial #894. I did some further research and prior to 1975 there weren't any HIN numbers. It is registered as a 1973.
I am concerned in finding what looks like one of the studs that hold the keel to the hull has corroded off! I was cleaning the bilge and found one of the large nuts and washers loose in the bilge, not attached to anything and I assume the stud it was attached to is corroded away. The others seem OK but not sure how to tell. The boat has been out of the water all winter. Last week I started to do some work on her and I noticed a large rust stain running down the back of the keel beginning at what appears to be a small hole in the keel.
I am concerned that I may have a structural issue. Not knowing how the keel is constructed I fear that water maybe getting into the keel and the studs are corroding.
Is this a possibility?
If so what can I or should I do?

 

[Skipper]

Re: Thanks & Keel concern

Yes, it is possible. Ask your boatyard mechanic how to repair. If one bolt is shot, the others may be on their way out, which is a formula for just about the most dangerous structural failure I can think of.