Making offer on Catalina 36

[SkiprJohn]

Congratulations!
Your Catalina looks great. I hope you have many a great sail aboard her.
Just a little advice. Don't make any modifications to her for the 1st six months and just clean and repair.
I've had lots of friends who just get a boat, make major modifications to interior or rigging then regret it later. Resale is harder with mods the new potential owner can't figure out as you know from the mainsail experience.

[klmmicro]

Not planning any mods. Everything looks to be setup in a straight forward fashion right now, so will avoid complicating things were there is no need. It is able to sail at present and so my focus is making is comfortable and fresh.

Meeting with the owner this weekend and he will be clearing out his personal effects. Will also give me more opportunity to ask questions and gather minutia. Spoke to my dad for a bit about refinishing the wood. He is very knowledgeable about such things and he says it is easy, just laborious. May sounds strange, but I am actually looking forward to the work.

It will probably be a few weeks before I get her out on the water for any serious fun.

[SkiprJohn]

Have a great time!

[HappyMdRSailor]

Rock On!

She looks great !!!!!!!!!!

[Stu Jackson]

Congratulations.

As I mentioned earlier, please get to know the skippers at Catalina 36/375 International Association | "It's always nice when there is a support network for used boat buyers and Catalina 36 has one of the best" (Boat US) and join their forum.

Interior wood: I know you like shiny (!), but as John suggested: WAIT, WAIT,WAIT before you do anything. Most of the wood on our vintage boats does very well with either lemon oil or teak oil to keep it looking nice. It's usually a duller finishing than shiny, but don't embark on that huge amount of work until you get the "familiarization" period over with. Dare I say: WAIT?!?

Galley countertop: I found this little gem right here on this forum: Laminate counter Makeover for $28 with Epoxy & Contact Paper…Yes.. I really just said that… | Impatiently Crafty Could save you lots of formica work.

In addition to the C36 forum, our boats have almost identical systems. If you post on the C36 forum, you'll run into me there, too, and I often suggest that C36 skippers read these on our C34 forum, too:

CRITICAL UPGRADES - DO THESE OR ELSE!!!

Catalina 34 - C34

Good luck, all the best.

[scotty c-m]

Wow! It looks great. Congratulations.

[lifeofreilly57]

Congratulations, hope she is all you wanted.
I would agree with some of the previous advice though, sail it for awhile before doing any finishing. That way you'll see what you like and what you want to change before doing any final finish work.
It always seemed I needed to mess up a perfectly finished piece to make a badly needed mod to a boat. Now I sail it for a season before making any mods, well, other than a stereo system......
Good luck.

[Torch]

Very nice. Congrats.

Time to change your profile!

[klmmicro]

Okay, you guys (and gals) have convinced me! I will wait as advised. The wood is oiled and I should be fine for now. Was able to spend a few hours on her today. Actually had a chance to relax on board for a bit and I can live with things the way they are. It actually is not that bad and could probably grow on me.

[jeepbluetj]

Stu is right lemon oil will do wonders. Really cleaned up my interior.

Tried to post earlier from the boat. .. No network. Was a fine day to sail to oceanside. Except the lack of wind...

Congrats on the c36. . Just go sail it.

[klmmicro]

That is the plan! Cannot wait to get out on the water. Sat on shore in Carlsbad watching sails out on the horizon. That will be me soon enough. The first week of January concludes the deal and I will be truly on the water. Will be with the seller this weekend.

Lemon oil does a good job cleaning? Does it darken your woodwork?

[jeepbluetj]

Little bit darker...but brings out the shine

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by klmmicro

Okay, you guys (and gals) have convinced me! I will wait as advised. The wood is oiled and I should be fine for now. Was able to spend a few hours on her today. Actually had a chance to relax on board for a bit and I can live with things the way they are. It actually is not that bad and could probably grow on me.

I am going to seriously disappointed if you did not have a beverage while you relaxed for the first time in the cocktailpit.... If not... you must plan on the proper festivities whan the paperwork has been completed....

Wish I was in CA presently... woulda come down to say hey!

[klmmicro]

Well, hate to disappoint...gave the beverages up about 15 years ago. That said, I do keep them around for those that enjoy them! An O'douls for me and a dash or two of rum for my guests. Let me know if you are headed this way and I will stock up on your choice of poison

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by klmmicro

Well, hate to disappoint...gave the beverages up about 15 years ago. That said, I do keep them around for those that enjoy them! An O'douls for me and a dash or two of rum for my guests. Let me know if you are headed this way and I will stock up on your choice of poison

Good for you man! Many friends have taken the same path... Lots of ways to celebrate and enjoy life... I will DEFINITELY give you a shout when I'm in the golden state next...