[C38] Purchasing a Catalina 38 (maybe)

[Joseph Launie]

David L Ryan wrote:
> Joseph, Marc,
>
> Thanks for the warm welcome. If we do end up acquiring this boat I  
> will definitely join the association. Some things I know about the boat.
>
> The currently owner purchased the boat about 4 years ago. At the time  
> of purchase standing rigging had recently been replaced,  there was a  
> newly rebuilt engine, and the boat had been re-wired with top quality  
> materials, but a substandard knowledge of wiring. Cosmetically the  
> boat was somewhat shabby, with dull paint, faded or torn cushions, etc.
>
> Since acquiring the boat he has straightened out the wiring, replace  
> the head and associated plumbing, repaired some minor blistering, new  
> paint top and bottom, replaced the running rigging, added a solar  
> panel charging system sufficient to keep the house running so long as  
> there is sun, fixed/replaced leaky windows, and generally spruced up  
> the boat. By his description she's not in bristol condition, but  
> she's sound, with all systems functioning properly. He and the boat  
> are recently returned from 30 days in the Bahamas self-contained. The  
> only problem they had was a lack of sun for the first week forced  
> them to run the engine a little to keep their beer cold.
>
> He expects that when haul a survey will show some few, easily  
> repairable blisters, some moisture reading in the deck, some wear on  
> the sails, perhaps a minor leak or two he's missed, and the other  
> things one expects to find in 30 year-old boat, but nothing dangerous  
> or expensive to repair. (For example, right now he's double hose- 
> clamping his through-hulls because he knows a competent surveyor will  
> make note of that.)
>
> The seller and I have agreed on a price, and in about 4 weeks time  
> I'm going down to spend a couple days on the boat, including a full- 
> day's run with the seller to the boat yard where we will haul for the  
> survey. Hopefully my time with the boat will only reveal that his and  
> my assessment of the boat is accurate, and the survey will merely  
> confirm what we already know about the condition of the boat.
>
> Should we purchase the boat, there are already a couple of things I'm  
> keen to get for her/do to her.
>
> *I'd like to get some self-steering gear. Any opinions on what works  
> well with the Catalina 38, or what should be avoided would be most  
> welcome.
>
> *I'd like to rig an inner forestay and get a staysail. I've seen the  
> how-to on Catalina38.org, and it looks straight forward enough. A  
> used sail in reasonably good condition is sufficient.
>
> *I think I'd like to get a cruising spinnaker. Again, a used sail in  
> reasonably good condition is sufficient. Again, any testimony,  
> positive or negative is most welcome.
>
> Thanks again for the warm welcome. With a bit of luck, I'll soon by  
> joining the ranks of happy Catalina 38 owners.
>
> -D
>
>
>
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>
>   
David,
    We use an Autohelm auto pilot which  attaches on to the binnacle and 
the electronics plug in. The electronics can be easily removed. 
Permanent autopilots require installation under the cockpit. There is 
very little room under there making the installation economically 
unfeasible(in my opinion).  I use an Ullman asymmetrical spinnaker which 
we both race and day sail with. We tack it to our bow roller (which had 
been reinforced) and run the downhaul line along the deck to the 
cockpit.  We also use a device called a tacker which consists of a 
sleeve that goes around your furled sail or headstay. You hook the tack 
of the chute into it to keep it from falling off to leeward. It is quite 
inexpensive and makes a huge difference in performance..It is much 
easier to use than the symmetric chute and pole which we also have. Joe 
Launie, Macavity, Commodore