Before I Buy, What Should I Know ?

[Boracay]

If you're buying from a friend can you get them to take some of the risk?

That is, do all your checks and then do something like buying the boat on time payment, say $500 down, then the rest a month later when you've had a chance to use the boat a bit.

Just in case you really hate it make it so you can give the boat back, but loose your first payment.

Might even be able to take over their insurance.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by lippysyd

It has an aftermarket inboard. It ran well when we had it out, but so far that's all I know about that. It's near the top of my list of things to talk about when we do get serious about this. For now I'm going to be cautiously optimistic.

You're getting a C-27 with an inboard for the price of a C-27 with an outboard? If you're smart, you'll buy it before one of us finds out where it's located.

[emgersh]

Originally Posted by fgd3

Agree 100%! However, nowadays if you want insurance for your boat the insurance company will require a survey. If you want a slip in a marina the marina will require proof of insurance.

Fabbian

I actually just bought a C27 here in CA with a friend. BoatUS insured it with a series of pix showing no visible damage. They're mostly concerned with safety on board. Though it depends on the underwriter you speak to. The first one wanted a survey but, at 1500 purchase price that seemed ridiculous. Second underwriter agreed and insured the boat without the survey.

[emgersh]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

It's like sailing transatlantic on a stock Hunter. It depends on your appetite for risk. Suppose the surveyor finds major structural issues. Even at 20% of the purchase price, the surveyor just saved the buyer $2,000 plus lots of aggravation and possibly a friendship. If there were not some problems with this boat, it wouldn't be on the market for $2,500.

The original poster describes himself as knowing absolutely nothing about sailing. If he were an experienced boat sailboat owner I might have a different view.

The market for small boats has been decimated. They are available for a song even in great condition. Half the slips in our marina are empty. There used to be a waiting list. Hell, the outboard on our boat is practically worth the purchase price, not to mention the auto tiller, marine GPS, radio etc. two sets of sails.

We did have the boat bottom cleaned and inspected to make sure paint was good. That was cheap though.

[larryb]

Originally Posted by Bash

You're getting a C-27 with an inboard for the price of a C-27 with an outboard? If you're smart, you'll buy it before one of us finds out where it's located.

I agree, if this boat has been out as recently as you say, I would buy it sight unseen. Plenty of C-27 parts, used sails everywhere for cheap can be cut for that boat for very little. You should be able to get liablilty ins for nearly nothing without a survey.
But beware, sailing will seduce you and hubby. Like your friend, in the not so distant future you will be looking at acquiring a bigger sailboat. One that can go 'offshore'. Quitting cigaretts is just the first of many sacrifices to finance sailing off into the sunset forever one day dream that will engulf you. The more time you spend on your sailboat the less society, as you perceive it, will be able to offer you. You will be shopping second hand stores, soon you won't be able to pass a marina dumpster without peeking in, then it will be most dumpsters. New cars will become meaningless, you stop eating out, the cruising kitty becomes a tiger. Then one day you and hubby are gone, and friends and family will be left on terr firma saying, I didn't think they would, I wonder where they are, damn, wish I were them.....

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by larryb

I agree, if this boat has been out as recently as you say, I would buy it sight unseen.

Sure, like the guy who bought the pig in a poke. Just keep your fingers crossed and everything will work out fine.

[lippysyd]

ROFL, larryb!

I cannot even put into words how excited hubby and I are. It's so unfair- we get to sail once, get this awesome offer at the END of the season! Now we get tortured until spring. (lol) We did get to go see the boat again last weekend, post haul-out. I had done a lot of reading as to what to look for so I was really checking it out. (Still don't really know what I'm looking at, heh.) Still so very much to learn...AND I forgot to take some cabin measurements for some projects to work on over the winter. Duh. I did confirm that it indeed has an Atomic4. No real idea on condition- that'll be huby's department- but it sounded great when we were out. I know the sails are only a couple of years old, and the lines are all new as well. I didn't find any soft spots on the deck anywhere and all the hardware looked good. Best I can do until I can get someone better to look at it.

[MikeinLA]

Originally Posted by Rakuflames

Sailing is inherently dangerous

Huh? I must be doing it wrong.

Mike

[rgscpat]

Sailing IS inherently dangerous -- just not as bad as driving a car or drinking high-fructose corn syrup. For a small, inexpensive, inland boat, many home insurers will be glad to give you both liability and property coverage. One very good thing Lippy and her hubby can do is sign up for a basic boating safety class -- free in many states. And there may be offerings from the CG Auxiliary, Power Squadrons, or other groups that are available over the winter and inexpensive. Plenty of good books and videos are out there. The Catalina 27 is a well-regarded classic, I think of it as a "little big boat". Enjoy!

[larryb]

My wife and I cruised the west coast of Mex in a Tartan 30 with an atomic 4. We had no problems except for a stuck thermostat. Where the overheating occurred was Isla Cedros. No available engine parts. Removed thermostat, cruised eight more months and bashed up the Baja with same atomic 4 without thermostat. In retrospect, I would replace thermostat at first convienience. Engines have an operating temperature, if always running cool, can cause problems down the line. But never had any trouble finding gas, in fact, filling our tanks with gas was easier and cheaper than diesel. Still I prefer diesel, next boat will have diesel. Don't even let the nay sayers temper your enthusiasm because it is a gas engine. Blowers are inexpensive and easy to replace. Never once found ourselves in a situation where we didn't have a few minutes to run the blower. Many boats exist safely with gas engines. Keep us posted. Sail it like you stole it, you basically have....lol
Larry

[zeehag]

isnot sailing that is inherently dangerous, or we would not have had an uncle who taught us to sail on his historic treasure as children..LOL--but the activities associated with ignorance and stupidity that are dangerous.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome to the forum of many opinions.
My opinion is that the price is very good and Catalina 27s are one of the very few mentioned in the book recommendation after my signature. I'd buy it.
A new survey might be required by your marina. Check that out. You are new to sailing and boating so a survey is a good investment. Even us old timers get stung on boat deals because we didn't use a good surveyor.
Congratulations on finding a great boat at a good price. Perfect for a couple or small family to learn on.
kind regards,

[Amapola]

Get a professional survey.

[SkiprJohn]

Oh, I meant to say your marina will require insurance and your insurance company may require a new survey. Check that out.
kind regards,

[s/v Beth]

My first "yacht" type boat was a Cat 27. Sailed it till the sails would'nt hold air. Then took it completely appart with renovation in mind, cost too much so I parted it out. The keel itself was 2500 in lead. And what I learned on her was priceless.