Just got a free Cal 20 HELP!!!

[SCMB666]

Hey folks, stoked to be part of this forum and hope I can learn a bunch from all you!

As the tittle says, I’m a proud new owner of a 1973 cal 20 I scored for free on Craigslist. The old man I got it from was in the process of rebuilding it when Im assuming his health took a turn and he could no longer finish it. He was completely deaf, could hardly speak and had trouble moving his arms. He didn’t let it get him down none though. His positive energy was through the roof.

When I responded to his add he said all the boat needed was a paint job and the keel re-bedded. So, I jumped on it and drove out after work to pick it up.

As the boat sits it is completely striped. Everything is removed and in boxes and un labeled aside from all the backing plates which are labeled. (Everything looks new or in good condition!!!)

Now for my questions. I have never owned a sailboat and have no idea how one is rigged. Can anybody provide pictures of there cockpit and deck so I can figure where all these doodads, thinga-ma-jiggers and whatcha-makalits go?

Diagrams, online resources and any books would be very helpful also.

As of now my plan is to get the hull dialed, any and all fiberglass work addressed, keel/keel bolts tricked out and give her a sweet all black paint job.

Hopefully by the time I get that done I will have figured out the rigging and be ready for final assembly.

Thanks for any help!

I should add i am beyond stoked to have this boat. I’ve owned and built a bunch of powerboats and dreamed of having a sailboat for years.

[SCMB666]

Sorry for being so long winded!!!! Here’s some pictures

[SCMB666]

Well when I figure out how to post pictures I will

[BugzyCan]

There is a reason boats are white. You will regret painting it all black, it will look badass, but you will roast like a steak on a barbeque. lol.

There are a few youtube vids out there, and likely can find an owners manual for it online someplace too.

Lots to learn. Enjoy your new toy. Get all the safety stuff figured out first, since you are just starting out.

[SCMB666]

Let’s see if this works

[SCMB666]

Originally Posted by BugzyCan

There is a reason boats are white. You will regret painting it all black, it will look badass, but you will roast like a steak on a barbeque.

That’s a good point that didn’t cross my mind. I also didn’t think about checking out good old youtube. Thanks

[SCMB666]

The bot tucked in my backyard

[SCMB666]

Box one

[SCMB666]

Some running rigging

[SCMB666]

What is this sheet metal contraption?

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by SCMB666

The bot tucked in my backyard

Great that you have a free home for it while you work on it, my suggestion would be to scrounge the for sale adds for the same boat, this will give you lots of pics and info as to location and install of the equipment. Looks good, especially the equipment packed up for storage. Enjoy the journey.

[carlosproa]

There was a Cal owners association in yahoo. I am sure they are active somewhere in the web. When I bought my 1979 CAL39MKII, I relied on the group to fill in the gaps and questions. There are huge amount of files and data, google search and I am sure you will find the cal group

[carlosproa]

https://forums.sailboatowners.com/forums/cal.70/

[BugzyCan]

And a Facebook group too. https://www.facebook.com/groups/30798758609/

[gamayun]

Oh my. Where ya at? Lots of Cals still racing and sailing in CA. They're pretty simple things. Just keep the pointy side up and the water stuff outside. I can take pics next time I'm near the fleet I used to sail but a Google image search should give you practically the same result. All the best to you on getting her back in the water!!!