New owner of Cal Crusing 36 design information?

DPS1 · #1 08-11-2006

Greetings from Port Angeles - Washington State.

I just bought a 1971 Cal Cuising 36. Are there any resources or user's groups that can help me with sail sizes, air draft (bridge clearance), and boat-specific tips and tricks?

thudbranch · #2 10-15-2006

try Calyachts.org

BillandLene · #3 10-18-2006

Hello DPS1 - we bought our CC36 a year ago in Seattle, and moor her on Orcas Island. Not so far away. Our boat was in pretty rough shape, and we did a HUGE amount of work on her last summer (we live in Houston and spend summers in the NW). I've also found info hard to obtain. There is an owner's group, but it doesn't seem to be very active at the moment. I also found it through Calyachts.org.

The deck-to-truck mast height on our boat (standard, I think) is a bit over 40 ft, which would give an air draft of perhaps 46-47. We are having a new main made this winter, by Schattauer in Seattle. They will measure the boat in Jan., and when we have that info I'd happily share it.

ReganJames · #4 12-04-2006

Greetings DPS1, I too just purchased a CC36 here in Santa Barbara. There is quite a bit to do - the fuel tanks leak, which promises to be difficult. I have some brochures and general info which was forwarded to me that I can forward to you if that is of interest. I have not located original manuals and design info. There is an active Cal group at Yahoo Groups.

DPS1 · #5 12-30-2006

I've been absent for a few months, but just checked in and found several replies to my questions.

Updates on Cal Cruising 36 "GEM" formerly "Discovery" and before that "Puffin":
It has been a project. Haul and survey, new batteries, bottom paint, zincs, new seacocks, new cutless bearing, new bilge pumps (2), relocated bilge strainer, replaced all underwater hoses and clamps, replaced cockpit drains (can you believe the factory used sink drains with pot-metal threaded nuts?), new hot water heater, re-plumbed fuel lines and added pulse pump and additional diesel valves and by-pass loops for ease of filter changes and bleeding lines. The installed Perkins 4-108 is a bit cranky about air in the lines. Radar soon to be added, and the electrical wiring is a mess.

The fuel tank is leaking on my boat too! I have not yet tackled that issue. I am considering a bladder inside the existing tank. I have read about epoxy treatments that seal the inside of the tank. I have considered cutting the largest possible hole in the plywood cabin sole, and then cutting a round hole into the tank top to inspect and clean before sealing. Failing that, I would then cut the tank into pieces to remove it. Then the plan would be to replace the single tank with two saddle tanks. It is a daunting thought.

ReganJames · #6 01-31-2007

DPS1, I managed to get the tanks out by removing the floor between galley and dinette and nibbling and sawing the tank into two parts which I could (with considerable effort) manipulate out. Very hard work! I am having two tanks fabricated which will be joined by tube and then relocating the batteries in the newly available space. I will take some pictures and post. My electrics are also a mess, but that project is more manageable.

Mokarran · #7 06-11-2007

First off, Hello! I'll work on an introduction later, I'm not good at writing about myself. I do have a question, I found a boat for sale, advertised as a Cal 36, I haven't been able to find much information on the design. And, oddly enough, most of the pictures I find online of "36 Cal's" look different. (I'll include pictures below) this one seems to have a raised cabin, which is absent on other models.

Here goes, is this a Lapworth design? I am planning to use it as a live-aboard in Jacksonville, FL (I am currently in Islamorada), is it a good liveaboard? Fin Keel or full? What would be a reasonable price for this boat? The boat has a Perkins 4-108 with less than 65 hrs, but that's about all I know about it. I just want general information and opinions on the boat. Thanks!

Pic:

QuoiCaDit · #8 07-01-2007

I have one. She's called "Quoi Ca Dit". I completely rebuilt her in 2000-1 replacing all the main bulkheads and all the furniture in the main cabin. I hauled out the fuel tank, cleaned it (over a gallon of sludge in it) and gave it a good coat of paint and a large inspection hatch.

QCD has since cruised from Alabama to Trinidad, crossed the Atlantic to Poole, England in 2003 and recrossed back to the Caribbean in 2005.

I was my intention to do a circumnavigation but she has been badly damaged in an accident within a few hours of being stored on land in Power Boats boatyard in Trinidad. I have now been fighting for nearly a year for adequate compensation.

QCD was a beautiful boat. She sailed exceptionally well. The hull is well laminated with woven rovings and is over 12mm think in the bilge. She's behaved very well and I'm really gutted that she has been damaged so badly.

By the way .... The fuel tank has a lot of baffles in it so you cant put a bladder inside.

If anyone can add weight to the build quality of the Cals I would like to here from them. The insurers are saying that they were built cheap

I rather suspect that the keel was moulded in two parts with another section laminated in in way of the stern tube. Is there anyone out there that confirm this?