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Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Surveying a Catalina 25 before buying.

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tchodgd
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/09/2003 : 11:42:58

I'm in the process of buying a 1985 Catalina 25 standard rig/fin keel and I'm looking for tips on what to look for while I'm doing my pre purchase inspection. Any tips on what to look for will be appreciated, this is my first boat so feel free to start at the begining.

tks.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2003 : 11:55:06

I would hire a Marine surveyor and have them look at the boat. It should run you about 2 to 3 hundred dollars. They have the experience and knowhow to tell you to run away from the deal, or to tell you if something is minor and could be repaired....(and if you should lower your offering price)

dw

D. Wolff - "The Flying Wasp" #401 sr/sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://www.flags.com/dreamimages/Flags/measurer.jpg" border=0>

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2003 : 14:34:04

Try this section of the Tech Tips.
http://www.catalina25-250.org/tech/tech25/summertm.html
http://www.catalina25-250.org/tech/tech25/summert2.html

Doug&Ruth
Triska (Alberg 29)
Tacoma Wa.

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Dave B
Admiral

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Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2003 : 22:52:11

Duane is right... Be there for the survey with a clipboard--you'll learn a lot about your new boat and the priority of projects. The '85 fin has the important upgrades to the thru-hulls, spreader brackets, chainplates, fuel locker, and keel (glass encased lead with stainless bolts instead of cast iron with mild steel bolts). Weak points can be the rudder blade, gudgeons, and possible leaks at the upper shroud chainplates. Everything else is very standard to a surveyor.

Good luck and fair winds!

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 #5032 "Passage" SR/FK/Dinette/Honda in SW CT

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2003 : 08:54:29

dI had two boats surveyed before I bought my 89 WK. Both surveys cost 250. I agree that you should also read the articles mentioned earlier. I did this and it helped out a lot in that it gives you specific things to ask your surveyor to look at.
In addition to the 250 for the survey, you need to factor in the cost of a haul out and cleaning of the bottom. That ranged from 125 to 185 in my two cases.
Do a pre survey of your own to see if the boat is worth surveying first. The best thing I did was invest the time to look at several boats.
Good Luck-it is just the start of the extreme spending cycle

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

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Dave B
Admiral

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Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2003 : 21:32:40

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Good Luck-it is just the start of the extreme spending cycle
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
B.O.A.T. ...Break Out Another Thousand! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 #5032 "Passage" SR/FK/Dinette/Honda in SW CT

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2003 : 09:09:28

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
dI had two boats surveyed before I bought my 89 WK. Both surveys cost 250. I agree that you should also read the articles mentioned earlier. I did this and it helped out a lot in that it gives you specific things to ask your surveyor to look at.
In addition to the 250 for the survey, you need to factor in the cost of a haul out and cleaning of the bottom. That ranged from 125 to 185 in my two cases.
Do a pre survey of your own to see if the boat is worth surveying first. The best thing I did was invest the time to look at several boats.
Good Luck-it is just the start of the extreme spending cycle

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

The tech tips articles referred two were written by me back in '96 when I was shopping for my own Catalina 25. Frank makes a good point: the articles are meant to give pointers for a "Pre-Survey" to see if the boat is worth pursuing. To find out if there are hidden problems that could compromise the structural integrity of the hull, deck, or rigging, you need a professional survey. Something else to be concerned about that has not been mentioned before are the 4 hanger bolts for the swing keel. When buying a used Catalina 25 of unknown history, have the surveyor check the pivot hardware and these 4 bolts if possible to make sure the pivot pin isn't badly worn and that the threads on one or more of the 4 bolts aren't stripped by a previous owner. The pin can be replaced, but if any of the 4 bolts are damaged in any way, I would walk away from that boat. The plates that the bolts are anchored to are embedded into the hull and if they are damaged, there is no way to replace them short of spending a huge amount of money on a repair job, or converting to a wing keel, which would probably actually cost less than replacing the anchorage plates. Make sure the surveyor checks for dry rot in the deck around the chainplates, and in the main cabin bulkhead that the upper shroud chainplate bolts to. This playwood is covered with a veneer that can hide dryrot. If the deck, bulkheads, or mast compression post have dryrot, walk away from that boat.

Good luck!

Larry Charlot
Catalina 25 #1205 "Quiet Time"
Sacramento, CA

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2003 : 09:48:57

Hey Larry,

I just wanted to give you my personal thanks for the well written articles on surveying and purchasing a C25. Your advice was well taken in my decision to spend a few extra bucks and go ahead and buy an 89 model wing keel (or should I say you are to blame?)
I don't regret it at all. I did get the tall rig though. There aren't many of them (223) out there so we are lucky to find one at all.
I just hope that when I near retirement and am looking for a 34 to 38 footer the respective catalina associations have the good information like you gave us. So far, I haven't found it.
Keep up the good work

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

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