Catalina 30 bulkhead rot

JR828 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008

HI. I am looking to purchase a Catalina 30 that has a little bit of rot at the base of the port bulkhead that was caused by the use of the head shower. The water from the shower leached behind the vanity and over time rotted the bulkhead plywood about 2 inches from the hull and settee. Anyone have any suggestions?

Faster · #2 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008

There are a gazillion Catalina 30s out there... find one without the problem!

djodenda · #3 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008

International Catalina 30 Association is a good place to start

JR828 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008

Hey. Thanks for the reply. I would look for another, but this particular boat has been hardly used and is like a new boat everywhere else. ( only 261 hours on the engine) It is hard to look the other way.

Faster · #5 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008

"Hardly used" and "well cared for" are not necessarily the same thing. The combination of internal rot due to showering and low engine hours seems to me that perhaps this boat was someone's condo, poorly ventilated and kept moist... but rarely used as intended. Hopefully the bulkhead problem is not just the tip of the iceberg..

Goes without saying that a THOROUGH survey is absolutely mandatory here.

I'm not wanting to be so negative, but take a look at the other "bulkhead rot" thread currently on the board to see how far this kind of thing can go!

If all else checks out and you're determined to carry on then David's link will be helpful, I'm sure. Also be certain you're getting an appropriate price reduction once you're solidly clear on what repairs will be involved.

djodenda · #6 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008

It seems strange to me that a boat with that few engine hours would have a problem like that... I agree with Faster that this boat sounds like it was used as a liveaboard.....

JR828 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008

You both are probably right. It is a 1991 Catalina 30. I like this style before they made the changes to the stern with the walk-thru transom. Are there any other issues that i should be looking at? I used to have a Catalina 27, Ericson 38, and a Hans Christian 33. I am a bit rusty about the Catalina issues. I seem to remember that there was an issue with blisters in the early 80's.

djodenda · #8 (**permalink**) 05-04-2008

Catalina is pretty good about improving the boat as they go along. A 1991 will have the T-shaped cockpit, which is nice with a wheel.

One specific thing that comes to mind is that some of the C30s have an issue with the mast post rotting due to water in the bilge. That's a pretty big deal to fix. I think Catalina corrected the problem at some point. Don't know if the 1991 would be included there.

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.

Again, you'll get better answers from the folks at International Catalina 30 Association. It is quite an active group, and they respond quickly to these sorts of questions.

David

NOLAsailing · #9 (**permalink**) 05-05-2008

Another thing you'll want to check is the oil pan. The Catalina 30 has the motor located low and center, which is a good thing weight-wise, but given the boats shallow bilge, it's common for the oil pan to develop significant rust issues.

Also pay attention to the core condition and the keel/hull joint.

camaraderie · #10 (**permalink**) 05-05-2008

I am suspicious that the shower caused a bulkhead to dry rot. Leaks may cause the veneer to lift a bit or some staining...but dry rot is typical of prolonged and repeated wetness. I would hose down the boat aggressively to see if other leaks are present...particularly around the chainplates.
The bulkhead can be repaired...but be sure of the cause first.