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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

advice... fix or sell as is

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jlguthri
1st Mate

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USA
93 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/28/2012 : 18:31:53

Have an 86 Catalina 25 (newer style, was when they tanistioned).

-Got married. The wife is terrified of the sailboat (depsite my efforts to acclimate her)
-Keel cable broke at harbor. pulled the boat and placed on homemade trailer. Can't see any evidence of cracking, stress, etc. Looks like it just needs a new cable, which I've ordred a new set of keel hardware.
-Before I was able to have the boat pulled, some idiot ran in the back of the motor and busted the lower unit off it.

I'm torn between selling it as it, or fixing it and using it until i am able to sell it. The boat needs:
-a new paint job
-good cleaning
-keel hardware replaced
-a new motor
-new lines/ropes

The motor is the big hit. I'm not sure I can get out of her what a new or new'ish motor will cost. If I fix it, I'd probably move it from Harkers Island to the Neuse River (NC) where the water is much deeper and sailing is easier (and hopefully selling it will be too).. I would love to use it until I can sell it and build a sharpie. However, I'm not sure if this makes sense.

Thoughts, comments are welcomed.

----
Joshua Guthrie
www.westmouthbay.com

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2012 : 21:58:23

Wow, Joshua... I feel for you. Did you have insurance that would help with the motor? (I hope there was at least liability insurance--you could really screw yourself without that.)

Your wife's feelings might be a good reason to let this boat go and ease your way back into sailing in other ways--we've had countless discussions on the subject here. I am not a proponent of terrifying wives, but I've witnessed many of them come to love sailing--generally by learning and understanding how it really works. In my case, a Sunfish did it. Sometimes it requires the husband to not be involved at the beginning.

For selling, if the keel trunk is solid (with no seepage or sign of cracks inside our out), and you have the parts to re-do the cable and attachments, that seems like a no-brainer. You won't (and shouldn't) sell her till that's done.

The motor is a whole other issue... You just might be able to sell without a motor, for more than the net gain from buying a motor and selling her with it--theoretically... But people are generally drawn to boats that are "ready to go." Some of the appeal comes from all of the evidence that the owner cared about her, and for her. When critical "stuff" is missing, regardless of price reductions, many people will be dubious and look elsewhere. Even a used engine might help for selling--except that finding the recommended extra-long shaft is generally pretty tricky.

I'm not clear on what you mean by a "paint job"--the bottom, or more than that? Paint anywhere above the waterline, especially on an '86, is generally a last resort, and is nasty for resale. There've been lots of discussions about that here, too...

The "cleaning" and "lines" are what they are... I'm out of reactions at this point. Keep up the discussion. Many of us have "been there" in some way or another.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 08/29/2012 : 04:15:26

Hard decision and I sympathize with your situation.

Some things to consider. You say you pulled the boat, so I assume you normally keep it in the water for the season. Are there opportunities when you may be able to sail during the weekdays ? For example, I go to work very early and get out early. My boat is located only 5-10 minutes away from where I work. I can easily go down and perform maintenance for an hour or more and still beat my spouse home from work. My wife also has women's tennis twice a week and another day each month that she gets together with women from her office to play Bunko. So, I can go sailing 2-3 times a week with hardly impacting any of the available time together. Your situation may or may not have some wiggle room to get out solo sailing. If that is possible, then I would keep the boat and do all the things necessary ti fix it up. I would then get her on the boat on the weekend if for nothing more to just sit at the dock and enjoy relaxing, reading a book, having lunch, etc. There are many at the marina that do just that. Maybe doing that and perhaps just a few motoring around experiences will gradually get her more use to it and capable of giving sailing another go...being careful to pick out a less windy day for her initial experiences.

If you really do not have any available time for solo sailing without impacting your time with a new spouse, then perhaps selling the boat is the best way to go at this time in your life. maybe camping, etc would be a better fit as to something to do together that is land based. As far as how to sell the boat, I would do as much as you can to fix it up mechanically and cosmetically but perhaps sell without the outboard. A new outboard will set you back ~ $2000 or more. You could advertise the boat for $1000 - $2000 less which may be a more attractive number to entice a sale. Buying a new outboard will be new cost to you and if selling the boat, you will gain no use of it and the next day, it is then not quite new when sold to another.

Edited by - OLarryR on 08/29/2012 04:16:54

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2012 : 06:04:02

If you have insurance that covers the motor, talk to your agent about filing a claim. Who knows, you might be able to replace it for a lot less than a new one.

Edited by - on

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2012 : 06:22:14

An '86 probably needs a good buffing and waxing job, not new paint. Don't paint it unless it's been painted before, it just reduces the boat's value. Gelcoat is a lot easier to keep up.

The idiot's insurance should be paying for you to have a new motor. If he isn't insured then he should be paying.

Edited by - on

treeder65
1st Mate

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USA
50 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2012 : 08:12:21

Joshua,
I just toiled over the same decision with my '86. We just can't fit anymore with 4 kids. I made the mistake of not sailing and fixing simultaneously, so I have now parted with her without even getting out for a maiden voyage.

I took this approach: Put it online at a price as-is and tell people it will get more expensive as you complete the work. Basically, pay yourself a wage to fix it if you have time. I didn't really want to take time away from family but if I had to to sell it, I was going to get paid for it. It ended up selling to someone 2700 miles away yesterday and I got the price I was asking without having to put too much more into it.

A good way to get the family confident would be to do a bareboat (or captained) charter; I have booked a47' out of Annapolis for us after selling; the kids will love it and my wife and I will be doing the same thing we did when we were dating 15 years ago: paying to rent a nice boat without the upkeep. Although I'd like to eventually own again, chartering is a great way to go while the kids are young and time to put into a boat is scarce.

All the best. Hope that helps a bit.

Edited by - on

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2012 : 08:22:25

There are also sailing clubs that can be a great deal for the occasional sailor. Here in Seattle I'd probably join Windworks (windworkssailing.com). $295 one time cost, $46/mo, $100/day for a Catalina 25 is cheaper than boat ownership and moorage if you only use the boat once or twice per month. It also gives you the option to get something larger like a Catalina 36 when you want big groups. They are based out of the best marina in Seattle (Shilshole) where moorage is about $10-$12/ft.

I really like owning my own boat and sail it once or twice a week, but if I sailed any less I'm not sure that the economics of personal ownership would really work out.

Edited by - on

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1778 Posts

Response Posted - 09/08/2012 : 16:27:51

Keep sailing! Regardless of whether a charter or joining a local sailing club, just keep doing what you are trying to get your family to do -- don't let the dream die!

Regarding the boat, there are times we all l must just concede that the timing was off and take our financial licking. I agree with those who recommend filing an insurance claim for the engine but the real issue is getting the family (read, wife) to enjoy sailing enough that she supports the purchase of a boat. If that doe snot happen then crew for others or charter -- but don't stop!

Edited by - on

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