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.
Been lurking of here for a few weeks and finally taking the plunge. Will be aquiring a 1982 Catalina 25 with swing keel, on Sunday. And headed to Panama City, Fla. this weekend to take ASA 101. Sailed only once before, in Oriental, NC couple of weeks ago.
Couple of questions. What are the basic set of tools needed for this boat? Most common wrench sizes,etc...? Anyone know of any used trailers for sale in the general area of the southeasten US?
Boat needs some TLC but seems to be n good working shape. It will be a fresh water boat for a while. On West Point lake in western central Georgia. Close enough for weekend sailing and maybe some evenings when the days get long again.
Congratulations and welcome! You will find this forum an invaluable resource for advice and information. Be sure to investigate the Technical Tips section. You'll want the basic set of wrenches, sockets, gripping tools, drivers, etc... As the proud new owner of a swinger, my advice is to learn the age of the keel lifting cable, and if it's more than 2 years old, consider that as the first part to replace. Fair winds!
Welcome to the club- As a recent newbie I can vouch for the value of this forum. Search for ideas and answers then don't hesitate to ask any questions. If you haven't been to Catalina Direct, check it out, you can learn a lot just going through all the parts they sell and they also have numerous tips. Have fun with the new boat!
Any general tool set that you'd need for your house/truck will work, nothing special. I'd get one that comes in a case, makes it easy to keep them together.
As far as a tool set goes, I agree that a basic set will be sufficient - phillips and regular scewdrivers with small and large size heads, knofe, pliers. BUt there are some addl things that depending on what you get involved with in the way of minor/major improvements may prove helpful. You may want to check the spark plug for the right sized spark plug socket and ensure if you need a small or large extension adapter, that you have that as well. Also, check to see if your outboard is one that has a small safety clip on it - That usually has a plastic wire loop attached to it. On my Honda, I have that plastic safety clip. If it comes off, then you will not be able to start your outboard. If you have a safety clip, then it may pay to get an extra one and keep it in the cabin in case you ever need it. If you do any wire work, well then there are the wire stripper/cutters to get and for soldering, one of those small portable butane soldering mini-torches works very well. Rigging tape comes in handy as well as some extra cotter pins for those times when adjusting the turnbuckles and wanting to replace the cotter pins. make sure you bend the tabs in toward the turnbuckle so nothing gets snagged on the pin. Wrap the area with rigging tape. 3M 4200 sealant is useful for many applications.
That's just some things I could think of and I am sure others could add easily to that list.
Don't forget: - a hammer (for when something needs a bang to get it loose). - a sharpened rigging knife, with a marlin spike, for dealing with stubborn lines and knots. - a small cable/bolt cutter, for the unlikely case your mast comes down and you need to be able to cut some stays in a hurry in order to get it aboard. - a spray can of SailKote, Superlube, or other PTFE dry lubricant for lubing anything around fabric, like sail slugs, and protecting electrical gear and connections. - a can of WD-40 for... well, everything else!
I agree that the most important thing to check is the cable. See if it has any broken strands. Next check the ball the cable goes over to see if it has a flat spot. Replace both if you are not sure of their age. If the winch is really rusty, get a new one. Leather gloves are needed for the sheets. Enjoy!!
I just purchased one of these tool sets manufactured by Crescent from the comapny I work for. These tool kits have both SAE and Metric tools included and a very nice carrying case.
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Derek Crawford</i> <br />Never leave the dock without a roll of duct tape aboard! <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">...and a carton of bubble gum. I preferred the 3" rigging tape I once had, but after it ran out, I've never found it anywhere again.
Thanks for the replies guys. Just got back from 2 days on the St. Andrews bay down in Panama City, Fl.
Now looking for a trailer. Can most trailers be modified to fit a sailboat? Does it need to be a double axle or will a single be enough?
Found one for the Catalina 25 but $3000. Wanted to try to find something a little less. Will not be doing a lot a towing for a whilebut wanted to get something to get it out of the water when needed or I can dry dock it for much less than wet slip.
You will need a double axle trailer, preferably designed for a 25-26 ft sailboat. Otherwise, you'll be doing a lot of modifications to it. I found one for a C-25 in Ohio for just over $2k, but after replacing the keel guide boards, carpeting, painting, a few other repairs and buying a spare tire, I've got just over $3k in it.
One sailor's "basic" is another sailor's "professional" tool kit.
Your boat's systems have LOTS of parts that need maintenance at one time or another: <ul><li> Fiberglass </li><li> Wood </li><li> Marine electrical </li><li> Stainless steel fittings </li><li> Dacron (& maybe nylon) sails </li><li> Lines & stays & shrouds & anchor rode </li><li> Plastic accessories </li><li> Rubber </li><li> Brass </li><li> Aluminum </li><li> Outboard motor </li><li> Trailer </li><li> Others </li></ul> I've been collecting tools and spare parts on the boat continuously over 3 years now. It seems they're all basic tools. You can find info on maintenance of all the systems in the tech section and by searching the member posts.
With a professional survey you would learn what systems need work sooner rather than later.
Keep a can of starter fluid somewhere on board. I normally keep adj wrench, plyers, screwdriver, wire cutters, on board and bring my tool belt with me. I've spent some time on StAndrews, west bay, east bay, grand lagoon.
Try not to describe in excess how nice it is during the winter, others up north get cranky...
I just bought this trailer about 6 weeks ago for $1,500.00. All I need to do is get some longer supports (maybe $100.00) and some new bunk boards and I'm ready to go. The point is keep shopping and you will find what you need sooner or later for the price you're looking to pay.
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.