1973 Catalina 30 keel question

[AjariBonten]

I've been looking at an early '70's Catalina 30. I haven't been aboard yet (she's on the hard); but I've looked her over pretty well from the outside.

I'd like to ask a couple of questions in general; and some specific ones as well.

DISCLAIMER::: I fully understand all about getting a survey, etc. etc. etc. I will not purchase a boat based on what you guys tell me; though I may decline a purchase based on what you may tell me. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.......

First, some background:

Things I have been told by the owner:
The boat is a 1973
The Atomic 4 engine was rebuilt at the end of the last year it sailed
4" of the keel were trimmed from the bottom


Things I have observed:

The hull is very nice, with no apparent blisters
The rudder is very solid, moves smoothly, turning the wheel at the same time
The keel has what appears are some cracks (photos below)
The last year of registration is '03, so it has been on the hard for at least 4 years

Questions for Ya'll:

Take a look at the pics. Do these cracks look like a deal breaker?
I read a thread somewhere about a related issue, someone referred to a "Catalina Smile"; and from the context I thought this might be what they were talking about.
Why would someone shave 4 inches of the bottom of the keel???

At this point I think the boat deserves a closer look; provided someone doesn't tell me that the keel is gonna pop off when the travel lift picks her up...

The price seems reasonable; and I think there are some definite negotiating points.

So what do you think about the keel???

[uspirate]

Aj, i dont own a catalina but i'm not liking that crack.it would have to be a super sweet deal...plus, even though i've always had good luck with my atomic4 (last boat) but my next boat wont have one . i'd keep shopping, just my .02

[deniseO30]

don't walk.. RUN from that one! 4" off the keel is allot of lost weight! Pic one is the smile.. pic 2... EEK!

[msl]

Looks like more than the "Catalina smile" I've seen on other C-30's. Please tell us, after you learn, how or why there is four inches removed from the bottom of this keel?

Best of luck with the survey.

Mark L.

[merttan]

Oh that's the cat smile everyone is talking about...Got it now...
I'm not a professional sailor or a surveyor but I always say; if something is making you think twice, just don't do it...
Try to find another deal with non-structural or non-mechanical problems... Cosmetic, electrical, or plumbing problems are a lot easier to deal with IMHO... But of course, it's just me...

[sailingdog]

The Catalina smile doesn't worry me too much..but the shaving of 4" off the keel is a bit worrying. I would highly recommend you move on... Catalina 30s are common enough you can probably find one that doesn't have the keel alteration nearby at about the same price and condition.

[camaraderie]

This is not a boat you should consider. the 4 inches of keel were put there for a reason and that second crack looks serious. There are a ton of Cat30's on the market...I would not settle for a compromised one.

[sailhog]

I'm not saying that Cam, SD, Mert and USP are giving you bad advice, but you need to realize that by not considering this boat, you only have approximately 7,000 C30s left to chose from. They are extremely rare and can only be found at every marina and dock in the country.

[capttb]

I don't think I'd let someone GIVE me that boat, that ain't a smile, it's a leer. I think it went thru some serious hurt.

[AjariBonten]

Thanks everyone.

It always seems that I truly know the answer to just about any question I ask ......

What I really might have been trying to see is if anyone had any reasonably legitimate reason that the PO would trim the keel like that?

The only thought I had was that perhaps it had a nasty grounding at some point, mangled the bottom of the keel, and the best way to hide it was to cut the damage clean off.

Does the second crack look like possible evidence of that?

I'm gonna pass on this anyway, as suggested. First, I'm not wedded to this make or model, it was just conveniently located.

Second, and maybe more importantly, I fell in love yesterday.....

There is a beautiful Cabo Rico 38 Pilothouse in the yard a few spaces down ...... Lust city .

NFS, unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, because there isn't a bank within 100 miles that would be safe.....

Thanks for your input. I will try to find out the stated reasoning for the keel trim if it doesn't involve too much time and effort....

Fred