Zephyr: PrePurchase Phase on '76 C&C 30.1

[Dnea]

Hello All,

I have an accepted offer on this sailboat, being sold by the estate. The PO passed away in his mid 90's and enjoyed it immensely from what Im told. During the last year he would spend time on the boat just lounging in the wet slip without leaving the dock. As I undertsand it he was a commercial welder and seems to have taken very good care of the boat, named "Zephyr".

So I am scheduling the survey now including a sea trial, (and finding out that the survey fee will be more than 25% of agreed upon purchase price). It has a pretty clean looking Yanmar Diesel. The keel does have the infamous "smile" crack so hopefully that can be repaired. Also has some uneven "moments" throughout the hull (but repairable I believe starting w/ soda blasting). The interior is all original and in very good shape. Please have a look and lmk your thoughts. I have submitted a couple of these to this forum previously but this is where Im looking to land if survey comes back ok (refundable deposit).

 

[Dnea]

More Pics

 

[Timm R Oday25]

I see no obvious stains of water leaking . Doesn't sound like the boat is all that expensive to start with.I'd ask myself two things
How long am I plannnig on keeping it ?
How much am I willing to spend updating ?
I usually own things for a very long time . I don't mind the cost of upgrading electronics or upholstery sails and so forth.
A little varnish on the brightwork would go a long way in bringing some appeal to the cabin . I'd buy it

 

[Dnea]

Timm I actually love fixing and correcting/adjusting old boats and really like the old C&C's so unless it gets outta hand Im good.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Looks like a few serious gouges in the hull laminate for the surveyor to check for delamination. Instruments look older than God and the winches could use replacement with larger ones. Other than that, it's hard to make a judgment based on pictures.

 

[dlochner]

I don't see anything in the photos that say "Run!" The gouges in the hull @Don S/V ILLusion noted caught my attention too. They could be serious, no big deal, or somewhere in between. A good surveyor can give you some guidance.

The engine room looks clean, that's a good sign or someone spent a lot of time cleaning up the engine room for the sale.

 

[jssailem]

I’m a sucker for a nice looking boat. I bought a project cheap and have been refitting her since 2015. If she speaks to you, why not go for it. You want to walk down the dock and feel your heartbeat rise as you near her. There are lots of boats in the marina but mine is the only one that I hear calling “take me out sailing!”

 

[Dnea]

Well said, and I agree

 

[Davidasailor26]

Only thing I’d add to the advice above is that rather than thinking of the survey cost as a percentage of the purchase value (~25%), think of it as a percentage of the cost it could save you just in case it found something expensive to fix (several hundred percent).

 

[shemandr]

Are you willing to re-power?

 

[Dnea]

Are you willing to re-power?

It’s got a Yanmar diesel so waiting to see how that runs, (marina’s mechanic is commissioning after 2yrs on the hard).

 

[Dnea]

Only thing I’d add to the advice above is that rather than thinking of the survey cost as a percentage of the purchase value (~25%), think of it as a percentage of the cost it could save you just in case it found something expensive to fix (several hundred percent).

The Survey update: is that I got a quote from a certified Marine surveyor yesterday who offered a $400 fee for a walk thru survey with me present, noting findings etc (without his formal written report) Rather than $1100 for full report. I can get Liability Insurance without a survey so I may go the walk thru way. I have read thru Inspecting the Aging Sailboat by Don Casey and following that text. There’s risk but what I need most is expert analysis and interpretation. The boat price is $3900 so I would just as soon put extra $ into the boat.

 

[jon hansen]

the sails are toast. add $5,000.00 to your buy in price.

just keeping it real!

old IOR boats need fresh sails to sail. that rudder is way off the stern hoping to control that vessel. old IOR drivers know what i mean. drag aloft will only make it worse. huge jibs, narrow slots between the main. rule beating hull design. off the wind in a seaway ...... you'll need the sails to help keep her steady ..... ish.

you'll be wanting to use a spinnaker get her to move down wind. which is great fun.

 

[Dnea]

the sails are toast. add $5,000.00 to your buy in price.

just keeping it real!

old IOR boats need fresh sails to sail. that rudder is way off the stern hoping to control that vessel. old IOR drivers know what i mean. drag aloft will only make it worse. huge jibs, narrow slots between the main. rule beating hull design. off the wind in a seaway ...... you'll need the sails to help keep her steady ..... ish.

you'll be wanting to use a spinnaker get her to move down wind. which is great fun.

John I heard they replaced sails - not sure how long ago though. Do you think the assumed less than ideal sails might be ok for light to moderate winds for the first year as I save up for new?

 

[Sailfanatic]

I was fortunate enough to own a '76 C&C30 and consider that model a uniquely wonderful boat .... There's a reason C &C made the same boat for twelve years (1972-1984). The hull is all but indestructible, ignore the smile, filing it is an annual touch up item. The boat is perhaps the stiffest model C&C every produced, a pleasure to sail on breezy days, yet able to move well in light air.

Aside the the common concerns for balsa cored decks, the one design issue was the mast step, which I believe originally was a wooden block. Over time they would rot and need replacement. Get the water out of the mast step and keep it out... Also the boom was a bit low, it was raised a foot in mid-'76, I don't rtemember the first hull number for that. You can finds lots of boat info at C&C Yachts - C&C Photo Album & Resource Center

If the engine runs and the deck is not all wet, I'd buy it.

 

[Dnea]

Thanks for that input! The deck seems fine I tapped it and it’s tight. Everyone in the comments seems to agree that these were built like army tanks of fiberglass.

 

[shemandr]

Having sailed a bit on the 28 mark I, of that vintage, I agree the hull is tank built but the boat still sails well. I agree that good sails, especially the jib are critical. Actually, if the main can be be cut real flat, that will do. No need for exotic materials.
Regarding my previous post: The original engine was likely an Atomic 4 so the Yammie is likely a repower. But when?

 

[Dnea]

Having sailed a bit on the 28 mark I, of that vintage, I agree the hull is tank built but the boat still sails well. I agree that good sails, especially the jib are critical. Actually, if the main can be be cut real flat, that will do. No need for exotic materials.
Regarding my previous post: The original engine was likely an Atomic 4 so the Yammie is likely a repower. But when?

 

[Dnea]

In the US the C&C 30.1 was offered with a Yanmar 2GM Diesel which is what’s in the boat

 

[Sailfanatic]

In the US the C&C 30.1 was offered with a Yanmar 2GM Diesel which is what’s in the boat

FWIW, that model is referred to as C&C 30 Mark I and the standard engine in 1976 was the Atomic 4. A Yanmar became an option some time around 1980.