Catalina 30 bulkhead rot

[JR828]

I will check the oil pan for rust. I seem to remember a friend on Lake Texoma who had the same problem, so, thanks for reminding me of it. Nothing worse than oil in the bilge!

[JR828]

I was suspicious of the rot as well but after I too but there was no signs that water had leached in from the port, chainplate, or any other location above the rot. Since the boat had never been used, i would suspect that I would find watermarks or drips. The reason why I suspect the shower is due to the fact that the caulking had pulled away from the vanity and base of the bulkhead in the shower and thus the water was allowed to sit around the plywood as the bulkhead is located in a fiberglass "trough". I may be wrong .

[cardiacpaul]

JR,
you're more than likely correct.

Bulkhead rot, and even the compression post are not that big of a problem. If you can do the work yourself, so much the better. (bulkhead replacement, 4 day job, 2 to remove, 1 to cut a new one, 1 to replace and finish.

If the compression post is bad, check to make sure the deck hasn't sunk, or the sole hasn't receded. If not, knock yourself out with some good wood replacement.

Don't let it be a "deal breaker" if the deck is dry, and the boat is in otherwise good condition & good price.

[JR828]

I was thinking of replacing the bulkhead but was wondering how I would do it since there is a trough. The question being, how would I "pop" it into the trough? I was thinking that I would use a good marine plywood and then epoxy the edges in case the same thing happened again (I am a woodworker) before installation. Thanks for the advice on not letting it be a deal breaker. I really like everything else about the boat otherwise.

[djodenda]

I replaced about 1/2 of the rotten bulkhead of my Catalina 22 by cutting out the rotten part and using it as a template for a marine plywood replacement.

I doweled and Gorilla glued the new wood to the old wood, cleaned it up and it seemed to work well. I'm confident that the fix was at least as strong as the original.

I was able to remove the bulkhead for this, but imagine that you could do the same thing while the bulkhead is in place.

I would have used teak-faced marine plywood, but couldn't find any where I was (Tulsa) at the time. So, I laminated white Formica on top of the new wood to hide the joint. It looked quite nice, frankly.

I think this was a good fix. Others, with more experience in this matter are likely to chime in with better ways to do what I did.

Frankly, since you know boats, and as long as you are being careful, I wouldn't let this problem stop you from buying the boat.



David

[JR828]

Thanks David! I used to sail on Lake Texoma. How do you like Washington State? I almost moved there two years ago. I did not think cutting the bulkhead into two parts. i was trying to figure a way to replace it with one piece, so thanks for the suggestion. I love the boat.

[flatfoot]

Is this boat located at Lake Norman, NC? I look at that boat, I agree the engine is in great condition and I had a great feel from the broker. I walked away for other issues.
1991 has the compression post support block fix, one less thing to worry about.

[JR828]

Hi. Yes it is! At All Seasons Marina. May I ask why you walked away? I like the broker too. nice guy. Dockage is now a problem now too. Nothing is available. I did not like the slips at All Seasons. The Stern is damaged now because of the slip. From what I can tell, everything is cosmetic. I was not able to run the engine as the batteries were dead. Did you see the bulkhead rot?

[flatfoot]

This was one of our primary options for purchase so temper my statements as a buyer who expects to resell at some point. Of course the primary reason is price.

1. blisters - if you plan to sell this, it will have to be fixed. Unless the next guy is willing to overlook it, highly unlikely.

2. Water damaged port side bulkhead. you have alread heard advice on this so not need to add. keep in mind the damage was all the way up onto the port side salon seating. Same as above if you leave it alone, expect the next buyer to look at you crosseyed.

3. The boat is bare. consider the installation of radio, AWI and autopilot. I believe it only had speed and depth. I am not sure where you will be sailing, you can decide what is necessary.

4. Standing rigging in great conditon (cleanest I have see in my searches); however with exception of genoa sheets, all running rigging should be replaced.

5. many gelcoat cracks; however thats part of a used boat. however I did not discover soft spots.

6. Sails showed wear; however they still had some stiffness for cruising. I believe they were original. I like to see used boats with parts replaced, I was not intrested in a lot of original equipment, simply means I will be changing it purely on my dime.

7. Just looked at a pic of the docklines and they should be replaced.

8. continous line furling. read up on this and expect to change to a single line furler.

9. Traveler makes contact with the dodger frame, not a big deal but, its been like that for a while and was never fixed. It has worn through a rivet and some of the frame.

I have a few more nit picking items however 1 and 2 are going to be the money. I am very handy, but I always estimate what it would cost me to have someone do the work. If you are getting a great deal on price, then it is a great boat. bulkheads will be about 200/ square foot and you would have to drop the mast to do it right so tack on about 500 bring it down and back up. strip and repair the blistered hull 125-150/ foot. Hope this help.

[sailskidrive]

>>If you're looking for a newer C30, and frankly, a 1991 is a newer boat, then your choices are more limited, as you are getting nearer to the end of the model run, and production had certainly tapered off by then.

For some reason I thought the C30 Mk III was in production until ~2000 when the C-310 was unveiled.

Personally, I think the C34 is a nice alternative to a newer C-30. It has a more modern design and with the tall rig a really nice sail plan.

I have replaced bulkheads in two C-27s and helped a friend replace all of his bulkheads in a C-30. The C-30 was actually an easier job to do because the beam is significantly wider equating to more working space. It's not a tremendously challenging job skill wise, it's just time consuming and requires a significant logistics for acquiring the lumber, removing the old bulkhead (lots of screws), cutting the new one, installing, chain plate holes etc... lots of good times. :-)

~Dan
Back Creek, Annapolis