Catalina 28 Offer

[punjabi]

I've been looking for a Catalina 30 and haven't had much luck as all of the ones I see don't have what I want or have things I don't like or are filthy pieces of junk.

So I decided to take a look at a 1990 28' and it is beautiful. Clean, well-maintained, and very basic (no-frills). It is listed at $28k.

It is a wing-keel which is a bit strange for So Cal, but I'm ok with it. What are your thoughts on the wing keel?

As I said, it is no frills. It has VHF, knotmeter, depthsounder, radio, compass and that is about it. In a way, that is nice because it is a blank slate to which I can add what I like, but there will obviously be some costs. I'd like to add autopilot, gps, and maybe radar...but not sure.

I'm trying to figure out what to offer and would like your input.

Thanks for all of the continued support and help in my quest to find the perfect boat.

[sailingdog]

Don't do it... a wing keel is complete disaster... Actually, wing keels are just fine, but if you do go aground, it is a bit harder to get the boat off, since you can't heel to reduce your draft. Ask SailorMitch, as IIRC, he's a wing keel fanatic.

As for what to offer, I couldn't say, since I don't know the boat, and don't know the market you're in. Do you like the boat??? If so, offer $18,000 or so. While that sounds a bit high to me for a 28' boat that is 18 years old, if the boat is really as clean as you say, it is probably worth at least that much. It isn't what they're asking, but it does give you some bargaining room, for whatever turns up on the survey and to come up in price a bit.

BTW, I'd be a bit cautious, since, the boat is nearly 20 years old, and may be in need of some major refitting, like having the standing rigging replaced. It may not, but at 18 years old, the standing rigging is probably getting there. You'll definitely want a good survey done. Separate rigging and engine surveys may be worthwhile too.

[sailhog]

Sounds about right for a nice, clean C28. Maybe a little on the high side. A friend of mine has a 1990 C30, for which he's asking $33,000. It's a nice, clean, well maintained boat with few whistles. The engine's in great shape...

[punjabi]

I was actually thinking $22k to $23k. I originally also thought it was a lot, but after looking at comps online, the asking price isn't that out of the ballpark.

[punjabi]

Originally Posted by sailhog

Sounds about right for a nice, clean C28. Maybe a little on the high side. A friend of mine has a 1990 C30, for which he's asking $33,000. It's a nice, clean, well maintained boat with few whistles. The engine's in great shape...

I would jump all over that if the boat was out here. I can't believe what I've seen in the 30s I've looked at out here. They alway seem "over-modified" or filthy or have soggy, rusty bilges. I'm just underwhelmed. On the other hand, I don't want to feel like I'm "settling" on a smaller boat, although it is only a foot and a half shorter than the 30'.

Thanks for the feedback?

[christyleigh]

I had a '96 c28 MKII for 3 years and liked it a lot... although not as much as the c320 I traded up to As a '90 that would be the MK1 version and I can't recall the fairly minor differences. If the MK1 has the same fat ass as the MKII you won't be losing much - if any - cockpit space and living area in general compared to a c30 of that era.

[sailingfool]

If you HAVE TO HAVE shallow draft, then you have to consider a wing keel...but if shallow draft isn't madatory, get a boat with a real keel, not a big compromise...I don't recall hearing of So Cal as a shallow water area, unless you operate in such get as deep a keel as will work for you, you'll get better performance in all regards.

[djodenda]

In Southern California, your bow will always hit before the keel

[punjabi]

Turns out that it was an error in the listing. It is indeed a fin keel. So I'm happy about that.