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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

What to look for in an inspection?

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JaimeZX
1st Mate

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USA
34 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/03/2006 : 15:48:58

Hi guys. A fellow at my club is selling his 1978 Catalina 25 because he never sails it. In fact, some of my buddies at the club have said in all the time the boat's been there, they've only seen it on the water maybe three times and never been on it themselves, so they couldn't really offer me any advice aside from "$4000 is a pretty good deal for something that size that floats." Meanwhile, I've felt around the hull for soft spots and detected none. I have yet to climb on the topsides or talk with the seller.

Here's what the owner says in his advertisement:

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> I took the marine head out of the boat, but all equipment goes with boat so you can reinstall it. The topside teek needs attention/varnish, some of the seat cushions show wear, it needs a good cleaning. Replaced keel cable about 2004. Made fiberglass repair to port quarter where boat banged against the dock all night but the hull was not punctured. Outboard engine runs well but the electric charging system on motor does not work so it will not charge the house battery...but still the motor runs just fine to push the boat into and out of the marina or if the wind dies down. Two anchors, chain and rodes and a few life jackets go with the boat. New mast and all standinng and running rigging replaced in 1997. I had a custom galvanized boat trailer built for this boat and have towed boat from Florida to Texas. Pulls great! a new compass but never installed it. the depth meter does not work.

I bought the boat in 1995 or 96. AT that time it was in salt water. I had a trailer made for it and sailed it in salt water several times. In about 2002 I hauled boat to Texas and it has been at the freshwater lake sailing club since then. I have wlaked about the deck and found no soft or spongy areas, the mast and life line stanshions and the pulpit and pushpit are firm. the hull below the deck is solid glass.

The mainsail came with the boat when I bought in about 1995-6, and it has a small reddish stain on it, no holes and works good. I bought a new jib sail when I rerigged the boat right after I bought it. It was dismasted in a hurricane in Florida but never sank. Oh the rudder is new in 1996 also, the original was lost in that same storm.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Any advice y'all can offer would definately be appreciated. Thanks!

Warm regards,

Jim

1972 Hobie 16
1975 Hobie 14

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2006 : 19:07:18

Hola Jaime,

Here is a topic from our Tech Tips that might help: [url="http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech25/summert2.asp"]Self-appraising a C-25[/url]

There are a lot of experienced sailors in our Association who can offer advice about specific items ... be sure to post questions here after you've had a chance to inspect the boat (with photos, if possible) ... I'm sure there will be plenty of people willing to give you a hand.

Good luck!

Edited by - on

JaimeZX
1st Mate

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USA
34 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2006 : 20:09:19

I thought I remembered seeing something like that but I couldn't find it. Thanks! I'll give him a call this week and see if I can't check it out more thoroughly with the checklist in-hand. :)

Thanks again,

Jim

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2006 : 21:11:09

For 4 grand, I'd consider spotting the 250 to 300 for a professional inspection and appraisal.

Here is my two cents:
I took the marine head out of the boat, but all equipment goes with boat so you can reinstall it
 Don't bother, I'm a big proponent of the head, but if he took it out it was probably for a reason and its more trouble than its worth to try and reinstall somebody elses removal....reuse any tankage he has if you want to put in a new one.

The topside teek needs attention/varnish, some of the seat cushions show wear, it needs a good cleaning.
Only if you want to...some guys really like the new england gray look. Seat cushions better show wear if they are original...

Outboard engine runs well but the electric charging system on motor does not work so it will not charge the house battery...but still the motor runs just fine to push the boat into and out of the marina or if the wind dies down.I'd consider fixing this one Two anchors, chain and rodes and a few life jackets go with the boat. New mast and all standinng and running rigging replaced in 1997.good I had a custom galvanized boat trailer built for this boat and have towed boat from Florida to Texas. trailer is a plus...new ones are about 3k. Pulls great! a new compass but never installed it. the depth meter does not work. depth meters are over rated in many areas...what are the depths like where you will be?

pushpit are firm -- interesting local term know what he means but never heard that

the hull below the deck is solid glass still have someone look at it...

dismasted in a hurricane in Florida but never sankhow is the area around the tabernacle and the chain plates--also stains on sails only are a problem if you are retentive of the anal kind.

Overall negatives
was sailed on saltwater -
Dismasted
Engine needs a bit of work

Positives -
He changed the turning ball (presumed) and keel cable
newer rigging, in freshwater you should get another gazillion years out of it if cared for.

Trailer -

In my opinion, which doesn't mean much, I'd offer around 3-3.25 k pending inspection. Some stuff you are going to have to deal with, but the boat was built when I was 8 years old.... If I was close, I'd buy it, take the trailer and any other parts I want and then sell the thing...but keep in mind, I wouldn't plan on sailing it...

Edited by - on

JaimeZX
1st Mate

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USA
34 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2006 : 00:23:06

So if you were me you wouldn't buy this boat to actually use? Right now we're just on a lake in central Texas, but I'm in the Air Force and I'm hoping my next base is going to be closer to the ocean. I'm planning to keep this boat for 10+ years or until I retire and have the time & money for something bigger. :)

Edited by - on

SailormanCGA72
1st Mate

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77 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2006 : 08:37:14

Jaime,
I think a good inspection by a surveyor would be warranted. $4K for a boat and trailer seems like a good deal if it is sound. Look at the bottom for blisters. Check the interior for evidence of leaking windows, or other water intrusions. Especially check to see if there are any hull penetrations associated with the marine head. I have a porta-potti in my boat so I'm not familiar with the marine head plumbing. If the boat was dismasted and weathered a hurricane, it still may have taken on considerable water. You would need to check the condition of the wiring.

All in all, if things check out to your satisfaction, I would consider buying the boat. It is exactly what I did years ago. I bought our boat in '89 and I retired from the Coast Guard in '94. I had bought a trailer so I took the boat with me for my last tour in Washington DC and then back to Texas where I retired. I'm now in Port Isabel Texas with my boat slip 10' from the rear bumber of my RV. Yep life is good.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2006 : 08:54:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JaimeZX
 So if you were me you wouldn't buy this boat to actually use? Right now we're just on a lake in central Texas, but I'm in the Air Force and I'm hoping my next base is going to be closer to the ocean. I'm planning to keep this boat for 10+ years or until I retire and have the time & money for something bigger. :)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If I were you, I might actually buy it to sail. If you are planning to keep this for ten years, I'd definitely get a professional survey.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2006 : 12:22:28

Sounds like a boat with most of the expensive components intact, therefore its probably a good deal for someone willing to work on the cosmetics.
If this is the boat you think you want, I suggest offering $3K pending satisfactory inspection.
A galvanized trailer and a decent outboard sold seperately are worth $4K. So, I'd say you can't go wrong paying even the asking price.

The great thing about the C25 on a trailer in your situation, is you can take it anywhere you're posted.
Good Luck.

Edited by - on

JaimeZX
1st Mate

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USA
34 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2006 : 15:55:45

That's kind of what I'm thinking. I wonder if there are any marine surveyors IVO Abilene? :o

Meanwhile, I was thinking (more long-term) of replacing the swing keel with a wing keel for the reduced maintenance. A friend of mine at the club, however, (C22 owner) says wing keel boats don't point nearly as well as swingers. More like my Hobie 16. Just curious y'all's thoughts on that.

Thanks again!

Edited by - JaimeZX on 06/04/2006 15:56:59

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2006 : 23:01:14

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JaimeZX
 ...(C22 owner) says wing keel boats don't point nearly as well as swingers....
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That's correct. I have owned C-25's with both swing (#1205) and wing (#5857) keels, and I can say that you give up at least 5 degrees of pointing ability with the wing. My wing keel also makes more leeway upwind, so you have to tack a little more often to reach an upwind destination. However, the peace of mind of not having to worry about maintenance of swing keel hardware leaves me prefering the wing. The wing also is better if you decide to keep the boat in a salt water marina. The wing is lead instead of cast iron so won't rust. One downside to the wing keel C-25 is that the rudder is actually a foot deeper in the water than the keel, and if you run the boat over a shoal or rock that is slightly deeper than 3'-6", it could clear the keel but strike the rudder, possibly resulting in damage to the rudder blade or the pintles and gudgeons.

Edited by - on

Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2006 : 16:21:29

My top concern would be integrity of the hull and deck. Find out how inspectors check for water in the hull, and check for that. I think they have some kind of meter. You might also try a rubber hammer.

Then again, you might look for another c-25. I've got a swinger, which is great for the shallow Potomac, but I'd never sail her in salt water. There's a lot of downside with the swing keel, and I wouldn't buy another one.

Edited by - on

JaimeZX
1st Mate

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USA
34 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2006 : 22:39:16

Okay, so I'll try and hunt down an inspector, but what are the odds we're going to find water in the hull of a boat that's been in the water maybe a few dozen hours in the last several years? Won't the fiberglass laminate have dried out by now? And assuming that's the case, would it re-absorb water more quickly? Either way... worth checking into. I appreciate your thoughts, guys.

Jim

Edited by - on

JaimeZX
1st Mate

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USA
34 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2006 : 13:26:53

Hm. After calling around I can't find any marine inspectors that seem competant to inspect the boat within a reasonable driving distance. The one guy I found didn't know what a Catalina 25 was, but recommended walking around tapping the hull with a hammer to listen for irregularities. Maybe I'll just do the inspection as best as I can with the information in the above document. Thanks guys!

Jim

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2006 : 17:03:21

Offer to clean the boat!
It's amazing what you find when you get down to the basics.

If you clean it and it sucks, then you only wasted a few hours work.
If it looks ok (you cleaned the hull, bilge, cabin, head, berths, standing rigging attachments, pintles, winches, cleats, lights, battery bay, ..... etc.)

Then you not only get to know the boat really quick, but you get a clean one!
(Agree a starting price before the work.)

Ok.

Anyone want to check out an almost new C250WB ? Shampoo and Wax provided!

Paul

Edited by - on

JaimeZX
1st Mate

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USA
34 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2006 : 20:45:49

Well, looks like he sold it to someone else. Guess I'll keep looking. Thanks for your advice, guys. I'm sure I'll be back in here again in the future!

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