It’s time to retire “Catalina Smile” and “Cheoy Leaky”

[Thomas1985]

We’ve looked at many boats now, and I can tell you there is hardly an older fin keel on the market that doesn’t suffer from “Catalina smile”. It is hardly unique to Catalina yachts.

Cheoy Leaky… I don’t think I’ve seen one sub $100k boat that doesn’t have cabin leaks.

[S/V Illusion]

Not sure anyone ever claimed keel separation is “unique” to Catalina’s, just more common to them.
As to “I don’t think I’ve ever seen ….”, how many boats have to seen?

[Thomas1985]

About 20 in person and 100s online…

Send me the yachtworld ad and I’ll show you the water stains in the picture.

[thomm225]

I'm sure you know by now that "seeing" a boat online means nothing.

Half the time it's an old and good picture of the boat when it was being taken care of then when you arrive in person many times the boat is dirty or looks nothing like the picture.

[Thomas1985]

Exactly… being able to see the cabin leaks online is testament to the fact there is not one, single, sailboat on the market for under $100k that doesn’t have cabin leaks.

[thomm225]

I don't know about that. This one looks pretty nice but maybe a bit small for your liking.

A hard to find Cape Dory 25D with trailer.

https://annapolis.craigslist.org/boa...721713212.html

[Shrew]

Originally Posted by Thomas1985

...... there is hardly an older fin keel on the market that doesn’t suffer from................

What is the year range we're talking about here?

A 20 - 30 year boat is going to start developing leaks.

[Thomas1985]

That is a nice CD25, and pretty durable design inside with a lot of fiberglass used as finish. The Pearson Invicta had that going for it too.

But even that CD has a telltale sign of a leak (although it may not have been damaging on that boat). The guy had pictured those replacement ports for a reason. The other ones started leaking.

I dont mean to criticize some leaks. My house has had leaks.

But… cabin leaks and keel separation are just sailboat things. I don’t really think one manufacturer can be singled out.

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by Thomas1985

testament to the fact there is not one, single, sailboat on the market for under $100k that doesn’t have cabin leaks.

All generalities are wrong sometimes.

[Thomas1985]

Unless all ports and hardware are removed and rebedded every 2-3 years a boat has leaks.

Even then one tiny, itty bitty, little gap in butyl and it leaks.

[wholybee]

Originally Posted by Thomas1985

Unless all ports and hardware are removed and rebedded every 2-3 years a boat has leaks.

Even then one tiny, itty bitty, little gap in butyl and it leaks.

If done properly you should get more than 2-3 years. More importantly, rebedding ports and hardware is a few weekends of work, and water stains would remain. So, looking at pictures is hardly an indication that there are leaks.

My boat isn't for sale, but is worth far less than 100k, doesn't leak, and has water stains. It leaked, I fixed the leaks.

[thomm225]

My 50 year old boat I purchased for $2000 does leak but not on my cushions where I sleep or in the V berth or on any of my electronics or computers.

It’s not really a big deal especially during the warmer months which is when I sail mostly.

But this is my first dry boat since my last 4 were beach cats that I raced.

We wore wet suits when it was cold.

[Shanachie]

I only have a Catalina smile when I'm sailing

[Thomas1985]

Originally Posted by wholybee

If done properly you should get more than 2-3 years. More importantly, rebedding ports and hardware is a few weekends of work, and water stains would remain. So, looking at pictures is hardly an indication that there are leaks.

My boat isn't for sale, but is worth far less than 100k, doesn't leak, and has water stains. It leaked, I fixed the leaks.

Your boat leaks. You just fix them as they become obvious.

If your boat didn’t leak it wouldn’t have water stains.

[JPA Cate]

Our boat is 33 this year, since launching in 1990.

She has no water stains.

We have not ever used butyl rubber for sealant.

*****

Imo, the "Leaky Teaky" refers to the early Taiwan built boats that had poor construction supervision, and plywood cored teak decks held down by 3000 screws. The nomenclature is a warning to the potential buyer, not an indication that they are the only boats with construction flaws. And so it is also with the Catalina Smile, an indicator that has crept into common usage for a reason, not an indication of what type of sealant to not use.

Water stains happen because the water gets in and nothing is done about it, and it stays so wet the water gets in under the varnish. In fact, if you catch leaks when they first show up, you need never have water stains, or a new water stain in an old boat. Water will get in for many reasons [sloppy fit, tired sealant, etc.], but you need not have to deal with stains, only leaks.



Ann