$1500 for Catalina 25 with Crack in Keel ?

[GorillaToast]

Hi All.

Found a 25' Catalina on Craigslist for $1500. Seller says there is a crack in the lead keel. Seller claims to know nothing about the boat except her son bought it, parked it in her yard and took off. She's moving and needs to get rid of the boat. Trailer, sails incl.

I don't mind projects, but know nothing about keel repairs. Is it something possible for a DIY guy? Sorry for minimal information, but I haven't seen the boat yet to see if there is any hull damage, or how big/where the crack is.

Would you take on this project?

[SabreKai]

If its local its worth a toot over there to check it out. As for the crack, if its lead you can reseal it with a soldering copper and some lead. If its iron then you can arc weld it with the proper rod. Same with steel. But then make sure you check the hull/keel joint, and the keel bolts. If you have $1500 to spare, have a look see.

Sabre

[Jim Cate]

G'Day Gorrila,

First thing: is it a fixed keel or a swing keel? Cat 25's came both ways as I recall. The swing keels were cast iron (at least on the earlier ones) and as such are far more likely to suffer a crack than cast lead, which is very malleable and unlikely to crack.

If iron, and badly cracked, replacement is likely a better choice than welding. If the cracking is superficial, one might well ignore it... well, perhaps ignore after sealing it up with some sort of goop. If everything else is ok, then it sounds like something worth investigating.

Chers and good luck

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Cairns, Qld Oz

[GorillaToast]

Thanks Sabre and Jim for your input.

I decided to pass on this boat when the owner said "We're in the process of having it re-titled."

[roverhi]

Don't know why that would be a problem. She's probably getting the title put in her name so she can sell it. If the titie is in her son's name and he's not around, tracking him down after a buyer is found could be a problem. If the son never changed the title from the previous owner, it would probably have to be done to get a clear title to the boat. Don't put any money down till you are satisfied with the title.

[Ex-Calif]

- I get folks wanting to "rescue" a ground bound boat.
- I get folks wanting to work on a boat rather than sail (well... No I don't)
- I get folks wanting a "great deal"

However the "best" deals are often not deals.

At some point it's about disposing of 2,000# of fiberglass waste.

Poor mom...