Tips
Boat Purchase

Also see: Make Up Your Mind
And: Working with a Broker

From: Dick King
Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2003
To: c22@catalinadirect.com
Subject: RE: Boat purchase

If it is a good boat, you have made the right choice. If it has problems, move on. There are plenty of boats to choose from. Here are some things that come to mind in no particular order:

  • TAKE THE BOAT FOR A TEST SAIL!!!!!!!
  • Spend the money and get it surveyed. Spend a couple of boat bucks It may save you a few thousand bucks.
  • If you don't want to get it surveyed, take a knowledgable Catalina 22 owner with you to look at the boat.
  • How is the electrical system? Do all the lights work?
  • Get the boat out of the water to inspect the bottom and keel.
  • Check for evidence of hollow or spongy deck, especially around the mast step, foredeck hatch and any deck penetrations. Any taps should not sound flat or hollow.
  • Cracked or loose gudgeons. Splits or dings in the rudder. How well does the kickup stay down when the pivot bolt is tightened.
  • Check the tiller for cracks or delamination, especially where the tiller straps are bolted to the tiller.
  • Check the tiller straps for signs of wear or cracks. While sailing check to see if the straps bend. Heavy duty straps are available.
  • How old is the outboard? How well does it start, run?
  • Check the OB mount for ease of operation. Check for wear and cracks.
  • Has the mast or rigging ever been replaced. If the rigging is over five years old, it is due a new set. Pay particular attention to the shrouds and stays for broken wires. Check the nicropress fittings for signs of stress or corrosion. Check the turnbuckles for ease of operation, signs of cracks, corrosion or spalling of the threads.
  • If the mast is oval shaped, check the spreader brackets. Aluminum or stainless steel? If the former check for cracks or corrosion.
  • Check the plastic sheaves in the mast head. Are any cracked or broken.
  • Does the boat have wire or rope halyards? If the former, check for wear, kinking, or broken strands, especially at the upper ends where they rest on the halyard sheaves.
  • Hose down the boat and look for any signs of leakage, especially around the windows.
  • Check the tack fitting for signs of stress. Make sure the forward portion (ahead of the screws) is not bent upward.
  • Check the base of the mast for cracks or corrosion, especially at the point where the hinge pin is located.
  • Aluminum or stainless mast step? If the former, check for cracks where the mast pin is inserted.
  • Is the bow eye a stainless Ubolt or a pot metal eye screwed to a single bolt. Check for evidence of pull through up in the bow compartment.
  • Check the docking cleats for cracks or missing arms.
  • Check keel winch for rust and corrosion. Does the winch have a small or large hub on the cable reel? Raise and lower the keel. How many turns from full up to full down? About 40 equal old small diameter hub. About 20 equals new replacement with larger diameter hub.
  • Lower the keel a few turns and push on the side of the keel near the aft end. If the boat is in the water, rock it from side to side. Listen for a clunk. The keel should not swing from side to side. If it does, the keel pin hole is very likely worn to the shape of an hour glass or worse. The keel will have to be removed and the hole bushed.
  • How old and blown out are the sails? Does the sail inventory include a 150% genoa (LP not to exceed 12 ft.)? If the sails are older than 3 years, factor into your budget about $1500-$2000 for a new set. You need good sails to be competitive (under $1000 for a set of new cruisuing sails).
  • Is the bottom smooth without blisters?
  • What is the condition of the keel, rust blisters dings?
  • Check the six shroud eyebolts. Original 3/8 inch or replacement 1/2 inch? You need the latter. The eyebolts can suffer from crevice corrosion and will fail when you most need them. A replacement set is much less expensive than a new mast, rigging, sails or potential injury to anyone on board, when the mast goes over the side.
  • Does the boat have a split backstay?
  • Is there an outhaul system on the boom, besides the pigtail tied to the clew of the mainsail?
  • Does the companionway hatch screech when slid open or closed? Check for wear on the ears of the hatch or the bottom of the slots in the teak hatch slides.
  • Does the boat have a trailer? What is the condition of the trailer? Is it painted or galvanized? Paint on the former, can hide a multiple of sins. Jack up each side of the trailer and spin the wheel. Rumbling, says replace the bearing at least.
  • I am sure the C22 email list can add to the above. Best of luck with your boat. Remember, that you want to race the boat, not spend all your time fixing it. Racing will put stresses on the boat. So you want it to be in the best shape possible before you start.

Dick King
7976 Jagged Edge
A bad day sailing beats almost anything else worth doing

----Original Message-----

Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2003 12:07 AM
To: C22@catalinadirect.com
Subject: Boat purchase

Going to look at a '77 Catalina 22 for possible purchase. My primary purpose for the boat will be racing (the C22 fleet is the largest in the area) but will do some overnights with the kids also. Any suggestions on specific things to look for or ask about would be appreciated. Thanks.

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