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- Path: sparky!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!cbnewsi!cbnewsh!att-out!cbnewsj!legacy
- From: legacy@cbnewsj.cb.att.com (wayne.m.simpson)
- Subject: Re: Help me with buying my first boat
- Organization: AT&T
- Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 15:19:57 GMT
- Message-ID: <1992Nov18.151957.8296@cbnewsj.cb.att.com>
- Summary: Cal 20? Good choice!
- References: <1ec3neINNrgs@agate.berkeley.edu>
- Sender: legacy@cbnewsj.att.com (wayne simpson)
- Lines: 86
-
- In article <1ec3neINNrgs@agate.berkeley.edu> jeffw@scam.Berkeley.EDU (Jeff Wallace) writes:
- >
- >I've been sailing for a year and I'm considering buying my first
- >boat. I'm looking at buying a Cal 20. I sailed one this summer and
- >had a great time with it. I'm only planning on day sailing on
- >the bay and it's a good boat for that. I've found one for $1000
- >and I'm interested, but I don't know the right things to look out
- >for and what all the expenses I'll have with a boat.
-
- Excellent choice! The Cal 20 is a nice looking, good sailing boat
- that can be had for a very fair price nowadays. In addition, the class
- is enjoying a renaissance in California with a strong Association,
- good racing, and strict one design rules to keep the boats affordable
- and competitive. For under $5000.00, you could have a boat that is
- just as competitive as the ones the class hot shots sail.
- I know you say your aim is daysailing, but give racing a try once your
- skills are up to it. You may find it to be a lot of fun, and you will
- make new friends from the ranks of your one design fleet.
- To get more information on the boat, seek out the local Cal 20 fleet.
- I'll bet they would be more than happy to survey your prospective purchase
- with you, and would be far more knowledgable about this particular boat
- anyone else.
-
- >So far I've know I'll have to pay:
- > purchase price $1000
- > slip fees $90/month
- > insurance ???
-
- Probably in the range of $200-$400 per year. Try BOAT/US.
-
- > maintenance ???
-
- Somewhere between $200-$1000 per year, depending on what needs to be
- done.
-
- > engine ???
-
- Need a new engine? 5 or 6 horse should be fine for this boat. Figure $500
- for a nice used one or up to $1200 for a new one. (Maybe more, I'm not well
- connected in outboards any more.)
-
- > new sails ???
-
- Maybe $1200 for a new set of main and working jib. Get a full batten
- main, they're really worth it. Figure on spending more if you want a
- genoa and spinnaker. Buy a sail a year if you can wait, it spreads out
- the pain...
-
- > (what else?)
-
- Depends on you. What do you need? VHF? Knotmeter? New cushins down below
- would probably be nice. Maybe you should replace the standing rigging? It is
- pretty old. I still think if you spent $5000.00 altogether, you could have
- a very nice boat, and if you raced it one design, you might be tempted to
- hang on to it longer than you otherwise would, and be happier overall.
-
- >The boat was built in 1968, I think. What additional problems
- >should I expect from an older boat? Does anyone think a 25 year
- >old Cal 20 is a really bad idea?
-
- I think a 25 year old Cal 20 is a great idea for all the reasons
- above, but you should definetly find a knowledgable Cal 20 owner to
- help you survey the boat. Basically, the things to look for are
- soundness of the hull and deck, condition of the keel and keel bolts
- (condition of the keel is not so important, the keel can be faired
- so long as it hasn't been bent, but the bolts are pretty critical),
- condition of mast and rig, and the wooden bulkheads that the rig is
- attached to. There's not much to it. It's a pretty straightforward
- boat.
-
- >Are there any books or magazines that cover what to expect when
- >buying a boat?
-
- Practical Sailor has a used boat buying quide, but the Cal 20 is not
- listed as being covered specifically. There was an article in SAIL
- Magazine earlier this year, but I don't remember which issue it was in.
- Go look for the Class Association. They'll know more than any of them.
-
- My opinions, as always...
-
- *************************************************************************
- Wayne Simpson, Technical Editor
- (insert standard National Catalina 27 Association
- disclaimer here) wms@spin.ho.att.com
- (908) 949-0482
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