Looking to buy a Cat34, need advice from members

[Matthieu G]

Hi everyone !

I'm new to this forum, but I've been reading it for the past weeks.
I'm looking forward to buy my next dream boat, a Cat 34. :-)

I'm writing here today because I would appreciate some feedback about some "issues" from two 34 I'm interested in.

1- A leaking black stain of water coming from the rudder.
2- A rust stain coming from the exhaust pipe on the transom.

What do you think would be the causes and how to fix them ?

3- Can a big opening (a square cut approximately a foot and a half by a foot and a half) can weaken the structure of a bulkhead and the deck above?

Thanks for you inputs

[Matthieu G]

Oups, the transom photo was missing.
Here it is.

[Ron Hill]

Matt : I'm sure that if you put a moisture meter on that rudder you'll find that it's SOAKED!!  I'm sure that the seal around the stainless rudder column and the rudder layup has been broken - letting water into the layup and rusting the steel grid welded to the column!!

On the rust stain for the Emergency bilge pump exit - I'll guess that the rust is from the wire reinforcement in that hose?!?

A few thoughts

[KWKloeber]

The rudder could be waterlogged and glass deteriorated (toast,) or it could be just wet (rather easily fixed/rebuilt.)  You might try negotiating the cost of a new style rudder - material cost if you can't get labor also.   

Depends on where the opening is cut.  Pictures?

[Noah]

As Ron said that stern fitting is from manual bilge pump not engine exhaust—at least on my MK1 boat the exhaust is on the Portside. What you see is probably rust from hose wire. But, it may also be from rusty keel bolts or other ferrous metal parts/bits in the bilge water? Check the bilge.

[Matthieu G]

Thank you gentlemen for you indications on the rudder.

Indeed, I confused the exhaust with the bilge pump exit.

Here is a photo of the hole in the bulkhead.

[Noah]

Hole in the bulkhead shouldn't be a problem other than aesthetics. Looks like it was recessed for a TV or something. Not what I would do...??? Also, the 110V outlet on that bulkhead may be a previous owner mod, too? Mine is on the V-berth side. Check the wiring. Kind of a mish-mash on that bulkhead with, the school-style wall clock too. Perhaps it was a live aboard at one time? What year/model and hull number is the boat?

[waughoo]

The stain on the transom at the bilge pump exit is likely not anything to worry about.  It might be an indication of a dirty bilge that when it gets pumped out stains the gel coat.  My boat had the same stain and i resolved it by using a hull cleaner (star bright) and then polishing the hull... all gone now.  Also, the hose that is used for that thru-hull fitting rarely has a wire in it.  I doubt that is the source.

What others have said regarding the rudder are likely accurate. 

[Matthieu G]

Those photos are from two different boat.
The bulkhead one is from a C34 1986 shoal draft, but I don't know the hull number.
I also thought it was for a television.
Indeed it is a strange idea to cut the bulkhead, but everyone has their own reasons.

[glennd3]

Matt ,

I am not sure but the rudder looks like it maybe an upgrade because it looks longer than originals. It extends further aft.

Ps the more info about the boats you give this group the better they can respond to your questions. Pictures help too. Good luck finding the 34 for you.

[KWKloeber]

>>> Pictures help too <<<

Especially as many pics of the engine nooks and crannies as you can get can sometimes spot a potential issue.

[Ron Hill]

Come On Guys : How many times do you use the emergency bilge pump to get a stain out the exit????  The only time I do is when I periodically (every couple of years) check to make sure it is working!! 

That stain should NOT be there!!!

A few thoughts   

[Noah]

That is just one of the reasons why I said check the bilge. Perhaps that manual pump is their only pump... or?... as for the rudder I have seen a couple of aftermarket "large" barn door-style rudders like that on other boat pics on our website.

[waughoo]

That Central exit on my transom serves both the manual bilge pump and the electric bilge pump via a wye a bit aft of the manual bilge pump.

[Noah]

A few years ago the "oversized rudder" subject came up with much heated discussion
https://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,10327.0.html