New Boat Fever

[jldooley]

Hi everybody, this site comes highly recommended and I have a few questions which needs experienced sailors to answer.

I just purchased a '79 Catalina 22 which had been 'abandoned/ forgotten' for the past 7 years. The previous owner last had it in the water in 2001. It appears to have no maintenance in the last few years before it was 'stored'. The boat has been exposed to the elements uncovered since at least 2001. The standing rigging appears sound, no rust, no kinks, bends, etc. the keel cable appears the same, the keel bolt (can't see it).

my situation: I have 10 years experience with a Hobie 16. After purchasing, I repacked the trailer bearings, they were full of water, appeared worn and needed to be replaced. Based upon my experience with trailering a Hobie 16, I decided they could make it one last trip before I replaced them. My decision was a bad one, as one of the hubs exploded less than 100 miles from the previous owner's home destroying the trailer hub, maybe destroying the spindle. Again my bad judgement!

This trailer grease issue causes me to question my judgement. All of my experience is with much lighter boats, I have almost no experience with a boat this big and heavy. I think this boat needs at least, for me to feel safe: new standing rigging, New zincs, new keel pivot pin, new Keel cable, Lines.

My questions: Does the boat really need these repairs, what order should I prioritize them and am I missing anything else that should be replaced? Am I risking my families life taking the boat out once this year before tearing into her and completing this maintenance over the winter? I have new boat fever and am thinking a one day sail on a local lake would be relatively safe. Damage if any would not be life threatening but would be limited to expensive damage. Potentially bad judgement?

Thanks for your feedback, jody

[T37Chef]

Can we assume you did not have a survey done? Sounds like it.

No one can answer your questions without at least some photos. Regardless you should have a professional surveyor evaluate the entire boat.

If you are not willing to spend the $$ for a surveyor, at the very least a trustworthy experienced sailor or two, who might do it for a few brewskies

[TrueBlue]

"Worth a thousand words" has no stronger value than on an internet boat owner's forum. Please shoot some images with your digital camera, set up a free account with photobucket.com and add them to this thread.

Your responses will then grow exponentially.

[jldooley]

thanks for the quick repiles,

I wil post pics soon.

[sailingdog]

Another idea is to have a rigger take a look at the rigging... but I would agree that having a full survey done is a good idea, as it will give you a good overview of the shape of the boat.