Considering purchasing an '89, what do I need to consider?

[Ted Pounds]

I did a rough wag on my ownership costs and it came out to  a bit north of 60 grand for 12 years of ownership.  For comparison I paid 55 grand for the boat in 1995.  I sold it in '07 for 54 grand.  YMMV...

[chedlin]

I missed a few of these reply's.  I bought the boat.  My wife posted a hello a couple of days ago.  The boat is paid for and in Texas they just get us with a 6.5% sales tax on these, I won't be hit year after year.  Fixed costs including the bottom paint fund look to be a little over $5k a year (slip is over $4k), although I already had to do batteries and a steaming light (well, I could have just replaced the bulbs, but it is long over due).


Thanks to everyone!

[Stephen Butler]

Interesting topic.  When we purchased our 1990 C34, the agent commented that we should allow 10% of the purchase price per annum, for upkeep, insurance, etc.  With minimal adjustments for inflation, it has been in the 10% "ball park" for 5 years.  Some years less and some years more depending on the purchases, work done, etc., but overall, 10% per annum.  Just a thought.

[Indian Falls]

It doesn't look too late to put my 2 cents in!

We bought a '90 last August and it needs things the PO's should have been doing the previous 15 years.  I'm attaching my to do list hope it makes you feel better not worse!  I'm doing all my own work.

Here in Lake Ontario's west end, the slip, hauling, and outside storage are 3,000.00.  We have a very nice campsite-like,12'x24' grass and paver area for picnic table, lawn chairs, storage bin, gas grill, etc. right in front of the slip with ample parking for guests.  Insurance is 350.00/yr and sales tax to register is 4000.00 one time. We bought a cover 2800.00.

By the way the only bad thing about the forum is every time I read it I end up adding things to my to do list!!

Best of luck to you!


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Boat to do list:  estimated cost around 7500.00
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Replace frozen hot water tank, sails and standing rigging are original, coated topping lift cable replacement,
Bottom Paint this year?, motor mounts, shaft align, stuffing box, torque and re-bed keel bolts, Refair keel stub hull joint, internal heat exchanger zinc replacement, raw water impeller replacement, Engine fuel filter replaced, (is original!!),  Racor fuel filters checked/replaced, purchase serviceable checkvalves for shower drain and galley drain', Head pump problem clean/lube or rebuild?, New House batteries/start battery,
shore power battery charger installation, replace bad elec. panel breakers, Lifelines need replacement, LPG tank locker refit,  Hose replacement involving the "black water tank"  and the tank vent problem, Add interior LED lighting upgrades,  replace head sail continuous furling line.

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Elbow grease account
*****************

Stantion re-bedding
cabin top eyebrow re-bedding or elimination?
seized macerator...  ?   
chainplate re-bedding
winches need opened and lubricated/re-bedded
Clean main mast sail root grooves
Fuel pickup tube screen check
hot water heater secured to hull better, same for pump/valve deck in the galley

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Wish List  (not estimated $)
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Storage upgrades,
Wind speed indicator,
GPS,
Folding prop,
drip-less stuffing box,
V berth mattress,
cabin heater,
Lazy Jacks,
Folding wheel,
screened companion way doors,
Stern rail seats,
another anchor,
needed preps for Atlantic cruising

[Clay Greene]

Congratulations on a very wise purchase.  We own a 1989 C34 (hull #873).  We regularly charter in the Carribean and always come away from those experiences very happy to return to our Catalina (although we always have a couple of ideas for improvements. . .). 

As others have mentioned, your biggest variable cost is going to be what you choose to improve.  Our broker sold the boat to us as ready to sail with little need for immediate remedial work.  That certainly was true and I am convinced that our boats well stand the test of time.  But the list of things I have chosen to improve is very long.  I can go from stern to bow and identify improvements every step of the way.  It is a labor of love to me and something I feel I owe to our boat.  Fortunately, I have a wife who feels the same way. 

The one thing you absolutely should do right away is check to see if the prior owner has replaced the terrifying black plug engine harness that Catalina unwisely installed on this boat.  If so, immediately get the replacement from Seaward and take care of that problem waiting to happen.  There are probably more posts on this site about that issue than any other technical question. 

Best of luck and happy sailing!

[Stu Jackson]

You can find that wiring harness issue and other horrifying things you can spend nights awake worrying about here:  Critical Upgrades

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5078.0.html