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 cabin floor with flex		  New Topic  Reply to Topic
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sabbatical surprise
Deckhand

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USA
11 Posts
Initially Posted - 05/14/2019 :  14:24:35  Show Profile  Reply with Quote

I'm looking at another boat. Its a catalina 27, (the forumn page is inactive). The boat wasn't kept up and had 4-6inches of water in the cabin. The new owner works in the yard and has retored the boat. However, the cabin floor on port side of the bilge has flex in it. he does not think its structural. Thje decks are in excellent shape. I really want to buy the boat but am concerned about the floor.

What are your thoughts and advice. I am planning on a survey, but don't want to waste the money if I should just walk away.

George, the newbie.

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4275 Posts
Response Posted - 05/14/2019 :  18:43:30  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
There are 1,000's of boats for sale in this country and you want to be sailing not repairing major structural issues. I looked for a C25 for a year (even on my honeymoon!) before I found Andiamo. I knew as soon as I saw her that she was the boat I had been waiting for.

Why is the "New" owner selling the boat after restoring it? He "thinks" it might not be structural? I'd be leary he might be trying to take advantage of your anxiousness to get a boat (then again I've been know to be a bit paranoid). LOL

Definitely get the survey before you make an offer!

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GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX
Edited by - GaryB on 05/14/2019 18:46:05
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5231 Posts
Response Posted - 05/15/2019 :  06:34:05  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
This may be a way to go.
If you can get into the bilge yourself with a flashlight and a heavy pointed metal rod you might be able to get to the structural members beneath the deck and find any rot.
Don’t just try around the floor boards, but also around the keel stub and any other place you can see or reach.

This won’t tell you whether the boat IS structurally sound, but it’ll probably tell you if it is NOT. If you don’t find any problems yourself, then hire a reputable inspector.

Is there anything else about this boat that’s a plus or a bonus?
Is the current owner highly motivated to sell at a killer price? You might test the man as well as the boat. Offer a ridiculously low price, like 40 or 50% below the asking price.

On the inspection, while it may seem like a needless expense, think about how much they’d save you in terms of BOAT bux and your many weekends of time not sailing, making repairs.
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
Edited by - Voyager on 05/15/2019 06:41:17
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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3992 Posts
Response Posted - 05/15/2019 :  07:14:56  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
This is hard for us to give a solid opinion as to if it's a small problem or a big problem. It can range from just some tabbings that have broken to rotted supporting structure. You need a qualified visual inspection and that is something we can't do. I would also be concerned as to where all this water leaked into the boat. Windows maybe? Find the source and you may find rot there.
Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound


Edited by - islander on 05/15/2019 07:25:51
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9013 Posts
Response Posted - 05/15/2019 :  08:34:28  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Sailboatowners.com has quite a few C-27 owners (1,740) and discussions--look up the Catalina brand, and within that the "Mid-size" section...

Surveyors have moisture meters and video probes so they can test for and view problems like this. If the boat looks like a potential good buy relative to the market around you, I'd give the survey a shot--make it a contingency on your offer. Some problems are correctable; others not within the realm of practicality. The surveyor generally can advise--be there and ask questions. If you buy the boat, you'll know more about it... If you walk away, it'll be the best X "boat units" ($00s) you've spent on a boat.
Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
Edited by - Stinkpotter on 05/15/2019 08:43:32
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sabbatical surprise
Deckhand

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USA
11 Posts
Response Posted - 05/15/2019 :  16:13:17  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
GaryB, I am a bit paranoid too. I like the seller but think I'm going to let the right boat find me and walk away from this one. Thank you all for the advice.
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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4275 Posts
Response Posted - 05/15/2019 :  17:13:28  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
One thing to keep in mind is the cabin floor will flex slightly around the opening for the keel bolts.

My '89 C25 floor flexes "very" slightly around the opening where you have access to the keel bolts simply because there is no direct support around that opening in the middle of the cabin floor. It's not structural (you can look up under the floor for quite a ways and it's all fiberglass), it's just the way the boat is made. The rest of the floor is solid as a rock.

If the floor in the C27 your looking at flexes in any other areas you definitely need to keep looking.

Association Member

GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9013 Posts
Response Posted - 05/15/2019 :  18:40:09  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Keep in mind that the C-27 is very different from the C-25. The C-25 cabin sole before 1989 was designed for the swing keel as well as the fin, so has a hill and a valley. The C-27 didn’t have that issue, so the sole is flatter. How/where either one is supported is also likely different. Flex points will be different, and flatter tends to be more flexible. Few here (including me) know the true comparison.
Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.