What should I look for in purchasing?

kito · Jul 18, 2015

Walk the deck and check for soft spots. Check the bilge to see that it's dry. Also check the cushions for water spots......may mean there are leaks through the chainplates, ports etc. Check the condition of the sails and standing rigging especially the shrouds for meat hooks. I would lift cabin cushions and look into the storage area and check for water marks....good sign if it was submerged. No big deal, mine was submerged and is fine. Just had to replace the switch panel. Sounds like this boat has a lot of extras. Kind of depends on his asking price to know if it's worth it.

azguy · Jul 18, 2015

Freakin so funny, you have a vague idea of those terms and you are going to go look at a boat to buy :dance:

How aboyt spending some time on-line, reading posts, making picking up a book like Don Casey's "This Old Boat" or the real novel idea of taking ASA 101 and learning all the terms, what they do and even what to like and or idslike with your new boat...

Siamese · Jul 18, 2015

Get a survey. Some may scoff at the idea of having a 22 foot boat surveyed, but in a lot of repects, a 22 is just a miniature 30, with many of the same pitfalls. After four decades of sailing, I wouldn't have a survey done on a 22, but you should. Some may argue that a boat that costs just a few thousand dollars doesn't need a survey. Purchase price is only part of the equation. Repair expenses, time, and frustration are the other part of the equation.

Previous responder has already pointed out the danger of soft decks. The decks are fiberglass skins, separated by end grain balsa wood. When water penetrates at poorly installed deck hardware, it saturates the wood. Fairly common and it's bad. I think it's unlikely that a neophyte is going to properly evaluate this.

Ditto for properly evaluating rigging, keel, and sails, etc..

If you're serious about sailing and you're serious about this boat, find the best surveyor in your area and get a survey.

If you're not familiar with surveys, you pay an expert to check out the boat for you. They have a checklist and methodically, and unemotionally inspect the boat and prepare a detailed report for you. Typically, you have a written agreement with the owner, saying you agree to buy the boat for X amount, subject to a favorable survey. If the survey is bad, you walk away, and if you paid a deposit to the owner, you get it back. If there are minor, fixable deficiencies in the survey, that can be a basis for renegotiating the purchase price.

A survey will be a few hundred bucks. Money you lose if the boat doesn't survey well and you decide to walk away. The alternative is to buy the boat without a survey and find yourself stuck with a boat that has some serious problems. That's a lousy way to get started in sailing.

Not all surveyors are created equal. Obviously, Bing and Google will aid in your search. Start a thread on this site and/or Sailnet and ask others for a surveyor recommendation in your area.

If possible, be there with the surveyor. Obviously, let him do his work, but if you're there, you'll get a preview from him on the condition of the boat, and you'll kickstart your learning process. If this boat fails, you'll have a better basis for examining the next boat prior to the actual survey.

Barnacle_Bob · Jul 18, 2015

Kito's list is good. Obviously, condition of the hull and deck are very important - look for any major cracks or areas of past damage repair, especially on the bow or on the widest part of the hull, where damage from docking accidents are most likely. Make sure the bow eye is good and strong, and doesn't show evidence of past damage / repair. Check the area of the mast step for evidence of softness or leakage, and beneath it, check the compression post - especially earlier wooden ones, for condition / soundness. Outboard motors are expensive to repair or purchase. If it comes with one, check that it starts and runs well, shifts in and out of gear easily, and stays in gear when pushed, and that it has a good, steady, strong discharge of cooling water. Plan on replacing the water pump impeller if it's not been replaced in the last 3-years. Trailers can also be a money pit - they seem so simple; but, bearings, brakes, and tires can add up very fast - some people are surprised to find that the trailer needed repairs that cost more than the boat. If you plan on trailering the boat, make sure it has good, bias ply, "ST" (special trailer) tires, no more than 5-years old or so. Check the overall condition of the keel for excessive corrosion (most are cast iron, so they can rust), the keel cable (broken strands can be felt when raising or lowering the keels - wear leather gloves), and the keel winch - the clutch brake should hold the weight of the keel without slipping. Lastly, for me at least, electrical problems are a major pain to run-down and repair. Test the lighting - bow light, stern light, anchor light, cabin lights.

Obviously, if you have both strong mechanical skills and lots of time available, you can make necessary repairs pretty inexpensively. Over wise, take your time and by the best boat for your money - eyes wide open. C-22s are sturdy, simple, and forgiving. Replacement parts are widely available at very affordable prices. There isn't much that can't be fixed given time and money. You know best your own appetite for do-it yourself projects, and the time and money needed for them. Know what you're getting into.

Some say there are two kinds of boat owners - those who sail their boats and those who work on them. There may be some truth to that. As for me, I prefer the sailing and would willingly spend a little more for a boat that needs less work.

All the best, and I do hope you join the community of C-22 owners. Great boats, great people.

CloudDiver · Jul 18, 2015

Post the listing here if it has an online ad. We can't always tell everything by the pictures but its a good clue as to what may be some potential red flags. If you are not an expert yourself the best thing to do is have a survey done.
I have a good background in small boat building and general boat repair, but I wasn't an expert on the C22 when I started out. Now that I am most of the way through a major restoration I guess I could consider myself an expert at just about everything that can be wrong with an old C22 and what it takes to repair it. If you aren't prepared for that kind of work make sure you are well informed on what you are paying for.

CloudDiver · Jul 18, 2015

C'mon man.... really? This is a forum and we help people here. A C-22 is a GREAT beginner boat, so we can't expect people to always be knowledgeable about sailing and sailboats before they start out here. I would share your sentiment if this guy was asking the same questions while expecting to go out and buy a 30 ft or larger yacht with no previous experience.

azguy said:
Freakin so funny, you have a vague idea of those terms and you are going to go look at a boat to buy :dance:

How aboyt spending some time on-line, reading posts, making picking up a book like Don Casey's "This Old Boat" or the real novel idea of taking ASA 101 and learning all the terms, what they do and even what to like and or idslike with your new boat...

kito · Jul 18, 2015

CloudDiver said:
C'mon man.... really? This is a forum and we help people here. A C-22 is a GREAT beginner boat, so we can't expect people to always be knowledgeable about sailing and sailboats before they start out here. I would share your sentiment if this guy was asking the same questions while expecting to go out and buy a 30 ft or larger yacht with no previous experience.

Agreed. Without questions this place would be boring as hell. There would just be a sticky saying "no more questions please......do a search"

pclarksurf · Jul 18, 2015

Couldn't agree more cloud diver-- and thae OP should really check out cloud divers posts if you want to get a sense of what it may mean to own a C22 or similar older boat. Price is exponentially tied to condition and if you are buying old -- you will get intimately involved with boat mechanics on every level.

I chose to spend 1300 -- and bought off on the many projects to come. In the Pacific Northwest I would wager you need to be willing to spend north of 4k for something you could safely put in the water in short order.

Look at many-- don't rush, and by all means buy a sailboat and come back for all the advice you want and then some.

azguy · Jul 19, 2015

I paid 7500 with fresh bottom job, new head sail, new lines, new standing rigging, overhauled outboard, solar panell and two deep cell marine batteries, new binimi, new custom made boat cover, etc, etc. It had all the manuals, ppw, cushions, etc....it needed nothing except a new main and all i've done is some varnishing and winch lubeing and sailing. Also had great tralier with extension, two new tires, two new spares and recent paint. Do yiu want to tinker or sail..?

Kermit · Jul 19, 2015

azguy said:
Do you want to tinker or sail..?

+1. I have way too many undone projects at home. I'd rather sail.

Leeward Rail · Jul 19, 2015

Hopeful...

Ditto for what Kito, Siamese and Clouddiver said... Especially Siamese.

Like Clouddiver said.. post a link to the ad... some photos... age of boat etc. and people will be able to help more.

Get a survey done, if possible, if you don't know what to look for.
(Some areas simply don't have surveyors to hire)

With that in mind....

Clouddiver has a great thread about fixing up a C22. So do Time_Out, spartacus99 and many others. All different age boats.. different problems.. success stories etc.
All are good info and should give you insight into buying and owning a C22

Even if you get a survey, and it's ok in your opinion.... there can be unexpected things to fix.
I have 2 threads here, that relate to me buying and then fixing up my C22.
I had the boat professionally surveyed, and even then, there were a few hidden things that I didn't expect to have to fix.
For me it was no heartbreaker, since I have the ability to fix whatever is needed. For others who need to hire people, it would be involve bigger costs.

If you are a complete rookie, check out the book "The Complete Trailer Sailor" by Brian Gilbert. It's a great book that covers most everything a beginner would need to know when buying and owning a trailerable sailboat.

You're looking at a Catalina 22, and you are asking questions in a good forum for advice.
In spite of possible perceptions to the contrary you are on the right track.
The C22 is a great boat with a bunch of great people who own them.

Just beware that there is much more to buying a sailboat than many beginners expect.

Welcome !

Time_Out · Jul 20, 2015

Don't overlook the value present in the resources available on our Catalina22.org website. You can view the current issue of our periodical "Mainbrace" publication, and for only $25, you can join the National Association and then gain access to the tech manuals which have been written by C22 owners who have shared their tips on various repairs and upgrades. CaptDon and Rich Fox and others have done a remarkable job of keeping this resource up to date and relevant for all of us.

Bottom line, welcome to the group, and enjoy the experience! Choosing to sail rather than shoving a throttle forward on a powerboat, already sets you apart from the herd! And if you are close to where there are other C22 owners already, as in if there's a fleet nearby, you may just find someone willing to take you out on their boat. I know I would if you're in Central TX, and I'm sure I'm not alone in that, as I've seen a lot of helpful attitudes among the majority of fellow C22 owners.

Time_Out · Jul 20, 2015

Congratulations! We'll be looking forward to seeing some pics soon!
Fun times ahead!

Gene Neill · Jul 21, 2015

Pics or it didn't happen!

Leeward Rail · Jul 21, 2015

Hopeful boat owner said:
Well it was quite a nice boat for the money -- $2700 -- including trailer and several accessories -- a canvass dodger, extra sails, etc... So we bought it! I'll now have to change our forum name from Hopeful... to something else -- or re-register. Thanks again for your advice!

Congratulations !

FWIW: I strongly recommend joining the C22 association and getting the tech manual.
I live in Canada, and there is no fleet here, but it's still worth it.
I'm looking forward to going to one of the gatherings, and meeting CaptDon and others in person.

On the other hand, Catalina Direct sells a C22 handbook for almost what a C22 association membership costs, which I feel i wasted my money on. It's basically just a boat specific catalog for the stuff they sell.

With that out of the way.....

Where's the darn photos ? Huh ?? Where are they ??

Gene Neill · Jul 21, 2015

You can just go to your control panel to change your username. It's under profile details, miscellaneous.

CloudDiver · Jul 21, 2015

I'd like to see pics of the purchased boat... $2700 isn't a bad deal if its in good shape.