'68 cal 25 - First Sailboat.

[Rouxpert]

Hello, A Friend and I recently purchased a '68 Cal 25 in Bellingham WA. Her name is Zotz right now. She needs some work but that is part of the fun right? This is my first sail boat, the only other boat I had is a 13' Boston Whaler, so this is a fairly different vessel. The first order of business is putting in some speakers! then we get to the fun stuff.


I would like to replace the transom. It's pretty worn and it would give me some piece of mind. Any advise on this would be helpful.

here are other items that should get some attention

bottom paint
some sail stitching
new cushions
some interior fixes/cleaning up
sink faucet/water tank
new wiring for all electrical components
auto bilge pump3
lots and lots more......
any help on the items above would be appreciated!
what else?

I was thinking of taking out most inside lights that run off the battery and putting some AA powered, LEDs. Any advise on that?

[Rouxpert]

here are some pictures.

[Rouxpert]

more pictures.

[Sailmonkey]

I was wondering what you were talking about when you said replace the transom. The last cal 25 I was on didn't have the cutout.

My first time to be exposed to a keelboat was the flushdeck cal 25.

[tbodine88]

Originally Posted by Rouxpert

The first order of business is putting in some speakers! then we get to the fun stuff.

Good idea, it took 14 years before I put some on my boat. It sure was quiet before.

[The Garbone]

I was thinking of taking out most inside lights that run off the battery and putting some AA powered, LEDs. Any advise on that?

Just order LEDs with the same base as the existing bulbs and replace them. Same effect and you will be drawing from a marine battery and not to worry about the AA batteries going bad.

[canadianllama]

I thought it was a 68 ft boat being pushed by a little outboard. Haha but I finnialy red it properly.

Good luck.

[sabray]

That's okay I thought the friends name was zotz. But then I read her transom was worn and getting replaced. Nice boat

[MarkSF]

Someone really did a horrible job of butchering that transom. The good news is it's an easy job to make it good!

If it were my boat, I think I'd be trying to repair it with glass and epoxy, not more wood. Remove the rotten wood and fill the gaps with a buildup of fibreglass. It'll be nice and strong. Sure, some wood can go over the final job, but the job of that wood is just to protect the fibreglass from wear from the outboard brackets.

[gts1544]

Rouxpert, Some advice on cushions from a non-expert who just spent $3K on all new cushions for our 43' cutter. Foam is expensive so choose wisely with expert help. Use a foam that does not absorb, nor hold moisture / Go thicker than OEM for sleeping comfort / Cushions can be shaved to vary thickness, so decide where you head is going to be and keep it at least level or above your feet with your boat level / Prefer a breatheable, but synthetic fabric so you don't stick to them when hot / Zipper in the rear so that they can be removed for washing / Choose your color and or pattern with respect to dirt showing as well as esthetics. Best of luck! Hope this helps. gts1544