Wanna be sailor

[Gm2645]

Hi I have never owned a sailboat before and am looking at a 1989 Catalina 27 to learn to sail. When looked at her the boat smelle d like it had been closed up along time mud dobber nest in aft berth.It had just rained and had a the front hatch had small drip. The bildge pump had waterin it and the lo.cker in font of head clean water also. The boat is under $9000 should I be .concerned? I know I will offer less.
Thanks
Matt

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Gm.

[gamayun]

Hard to say. What do other Catalina 27s go for? Are there signs of water damage in other places? Does it have decent sails and bottom paint? Any squishy spots? How's the engine and the rigging? Are the stanchions solid? Do the lifelines look rusty through the coverings? Are the electronics old? How do the other components work. For me, I am less concerned about smells and a dirty boat (in general) than I am about structural issues, like the keel and overall sturdiness. Though you might not be spending a lot, if you don't know what to look for, it would be in your best interest to spend a few hundred dollars on a marine surveyor, because a $9000 boat can easily become a $20,000 investment in no time...