[C38] Catalina 38 Questions

[Steven Ribble]

Rob,
There is more information than [you'll] ever want to know about these topics
and more in the "archives" found at the bottom of our website (
http://www.catalina38.org/).  Some of our recent discussions have dealt the
rudder post and the bilge, a year or two ago there was a discussion about
adding a "through-deck" windlass, and others have gotten into anything and
everything about our boats.

I also have a 1980 model, #64 and it is still basically rigged with original
equipment (not that I wouldn't mind several upgrades...but the point is that
there haven't been repairs due to re-rigging).  That said, while the
windlass and furler have seen better days, the integrity of the boat (hull,
deck, keel, etc, etc) is top notch.  Being in New England she's spent her
winters on the hard and after 30 years of use, I know of no de-lamination
due to water expansion in the core material.

Finally, I haven't sailed a 380, but after 40 years of sailing I've been on
a lot of boats and I can objectively say that the C38 is a great ride that
nearly sails itself.  Oh, and having a cabin the size of a dance hall makes
the non-sailing part a pleasure as well.

Steve Ribble
Tittravate, C-38 #64
Boothbay Harbor, ME

On Sat, Dec 11, 2010 at 9:46 AM, Don Strong <drstrong at ucdavis.edu> wrote:

>  Dear Rob:
> Our C38 is Discreet Charm, 1980 model hull #50. Your client can see her at
> http://discreetchar.blogspot.com/
>
> The keel bolts are original, bright and clean. As far as we can tell the
> plywood is still down there under the 1/2 or so of fiberglass mat. The bolts
> sit proud and have not sunk one bit. This indicates to me that the plywood
> is dry. We haul every 4 years and have but the tiniest of "Catalina smile,"
> which is easy to fill and repair. The most common water in the bilge is
> fresh, from rain in winter (which enters down the mast) and from ice box
> drainage. I try to keep the bilge dry, but regularly add a cup of table salt
> to the bilge to keep its contents salty. Salt slows fungal growth, and were
> there to be a leak through the fiberglass, the resulting plywood rot would
> be slowed.
>
> The chain plates begin to leak every 5 years or so and need recaulking.
> Recaulking is pretty simple and easy. The deck is stiff around the chain
> plates after 30 years, and I thank previous owners for their attention to
> this important, infrequent need. Same for the back stay; it does not leak,
> the wood block is dry and there is no rot back there.
>
> The rudder tube is worn, and shimmed with both teflon and brass. It does
> not leak because I learned, after two failed attempts, how to replace the
> stuffing in the rudder tube stuffing box. This is a difficult, frustrating
> operation on the C38 because of the damn pinched stern.
>
> We don't have a windlass. I and am fortunate to be able to haul the anchor
> chain manually. My wife is skilled on the helm, and motors up the anchor
> line like an old Navy Chief.
>
> No baby stay.
>
> Don and Karin Strong
> C38 Discreet Charm
> Emery Cove, San Francisco Bay
>
>
>
>
> On 12/10/10 6:40 PM, Rob Webb wrote:
>
> Hello Catalina 38 owners,
>
> I am a yacht broker in Long Beach, CA and a Catalina 30 owner and regular
> contributor to the Catalina 30 yahoo group.  I have a client that wants to
> know all things to consider before he purchases a C38 (not 380) for blue
> water cruising.  Some of his questions include:
>
> Propane tanks, location, options
> Keel bolts, bilge plywood sole repairs
> Windlass - where/how best to install.
> Crack/leaks at chainplates
> Worn rudder tube (check if cap moves 1/8" or more)
> Baby stay/track
>
> I am fairly knowledgeable about the boats but wanted to get input from the
> experts on these and other items he should consider.  I am also curious
> about C38 vs. 380 sailing characteristics from those who have sailed both.
>
> Thanks for your input.
>
>
> * *
> **
> *Rob Webb
> Flying Cloud Yachts
> 6400 Marina Drive (at the Marina Shipyard)
> Long Beach, CA 90803
> Cell: (562) 786-1872
> Office: (562) 594-9716
> FAX: (562) 594-0710
> Rob at robwebbyachts.com
> www.flyingcloudyachts.com
> *
> **
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Listserve mailing listListserve at catalina38.orghttp://catalina38.org/mailman/listinfo/listserve_catalina38.org
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Listserve mailing list
> Listserve at catalina38.org
> http://catalina38.org/mailman/listinfo/listserve_catalina38.org
>
>


-- 
Steve Ribble
207/852-0971
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://catalina38.org/pipermail/listserve_catalina38.org/attachments/20101211/34092bf6/attachment-0001.htm>