The original tiller placed the helmsman far forward in the
cockpit, my 1968 Cal 34 was converted to
Edson wheel
steering which makes the
cockpit roomier and the tiller can be remounted in seconds if needed. It's tight squeezing past the wheel as newer designs incorporate a T shape floor to accommodate the wheel. Further, mine has had a "short boom, mid sheeting conversion" with a Schaeffer traveler which eases
weather helm by reducing
mainsail square footage and is easier to single-hand.
While I have seen photos of corroded mast supports, mine is fine and can be seen by looking in the port dinette locker and also under the sink in the
head area, most should outlast the rest of the boat.
Decks and coach roof will feel solid even with wet delaminated cores due to the thickness of the outer
fiberglass skin. The laminate is 3/8 inch fiberglass-1/2 inch
marine plywood- thin CSM fiberglass- gel coat
headliner. Look and tap with the handle of a screwdriver around all
deck penetrations (wet areas should have a dull thud where the
plywood delaminates, the area may be extensive as water tracks down scored channels in the
plywood which were used to bend the plywood to the deck's crown,) the
companionway and near bulkheads. Cals are lightly tabbed and the wooden bulkhead may be rotten under the tabbing. If there is a little vertical crack or stain anywhere along the joint where the foredeck meets the coach roof there is probably wet plywood. Numerous evenly spaced drill holes in any area of the
deck would indicate a temporary
core damage
repair. Be very wary if the
salon bulkheads are painted instead of oiled or stained.
I would also take a close look at the
fuel tank and water tank, mine are not original.
Just my two cents, most Cals are worth fixing up.