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Originally Posted by sailaway21
Cals seem to be turning into a cheap little secret that nobody talks about, but that with a little work you can have a fine boat for not so much invested. Perhaps that's true of any boat so long out of production. Again, thank you very much for the photo-gallery.
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Thanks for the comments, and I think you're right in the comments above. On the west coast, it's hard not to find a collection of Cals in most marinas, and the stories I've heard of them are always fun. Just last weekend I met a couple who are very proud owners of a Cal 22, and when we were working on our Cal 20 a bicyclist pulled over to tell us about his Cal 25 that he used for repeated off-shore hops from the Columbia River to Puget Sound and back.
I like the Cal 2-25s and 2-27s better than similar-age Catalinas, but that doesn't mean that all are easily restoreable. I found a 2-25 that looked excellent, but later I heard it really flunked it's survey in terms of wet decks and would be very difficult to fix. The older flush deck models (like my 20) are not as attractive, but they are easier to work on if they aren't too far gone. There's a flush deck Cal 28 in my marina that needs work, but the size/price/fun return on investment could be high with some work.
Locally, Cal 25s like this one also show up for as little as $1000:
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/boa/249585054.html
If it wasn't rotted (deck or hull), it could be a fun starter boat for a young person or couple.
Meanwhile, I try to talk my wife into at least sailing a Cal 40 someday to see if we like it, but a Cal 39 might make more sense...
If you scan the back letters at Lat 38, even Cal 34s have done some great cruising.
Have a great time with your Cal 21, and post some pics for us.
Jim H
