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Old 01-08-2018, 08:24   #1
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Looking at buying a C&C 29

Hi there!

I am looking at a 1977 C&C 29, so a Mk1.

This would be my first "large" boat, so far just daysailing for me. I am hoping to learn bigger boat handling, larger waters, and make a step toward longer cruising.

I have a number of questions:

1. what are your general opinions regarding this model?

2. What are some common problems with this model that I should check out during inspection?

3. I have read a number of references on things to look at when buying a used sail boat, however, what are your go to observations? What are some things that are dealbreakers for you?

Thanks for any considerations you have to add to the conversation, I am just a rookie trying not to get soaked...

Cheers!
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Old 02-08-2018, 04:31   #2
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Re: Looking at buying a C&C 29

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Ken.

A problem with the 29-1 has been the mast step. It's a wooden block, and many owners report having to replace it, due to rot.
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Old 02-08-2018, 04:39   #3
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Re: Looking at buying a C&C 29

I usually check these sites first when wanting to know about a particular boat. Usually they provide some good information and history.

Remember though there are always compromises on any sailboat and C&C did build some pretty nice boats

https://www.practical-sailor.com/iss...29_4930-1.html

C&C 29 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com
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Old 02-08-2018, 05:48   #4
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Re: Looking at buying a C&C 29

Make sure to find out how wet the deck core is.
Pretty much a given that there will be some moisture, none of the holes through the deck were sealed from the factory, once the bedding compound breaks down the damp starts.
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Old 02-08-2018, 09:18   #5
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Re: Looking at buying a C&C 29

29MK1 or 29MK2, there are definite differences - performance, comfort, gas/diesel, age. The Practical Sailor article referenced by ttomm225 explains it well.
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Old 02-08-2018, 09:20   #6
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Re: Looking at buying a C&C 29

A gas engine would be a deal breaker for me.
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Old 02-08-2018, 10:19   #7
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Re: Looking at buying a C&C 29

If you aren’t familiar with it, Go to http://www.cncphotoalbum.com and read archives and subscribe to the listserv. One of the best listservs around, was considering a C&c and the folks on the listserv were extremely helpful.
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Old 02-08-2018, 10:39   #8
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Re: Looking at buying a C&C 29

I'm familiar with the C&C29mk1.

As others have said, the mast step tends to rot, but this is a simple block of wood and has been replaced on most boats. Not a big job if needed.

Most were equipped with the Atomic 4. That's a whole nother thread. If you are just sailing locally, not a problem. But it should be reflected in the price. A boat with a yanmar (or other good diesel) should be double the price of the same boat with the A4. You will have trouble selling the A4 boat in the future because, just like you, everyone would prefer a good diesel.

Like all older C&C's, check for soft decks. Mostly around fittings.

Check the strut and cutlass bearing for excess movement/wear.

Although commonly considered a solid glass hull, some later mk1 have a section of cored hull below the waterline, on the flattish section of hull, aft. Check the hull carefully in this area, as its difficult, time consuming, and expensive to repair if water has permeated and soaked the balsa core. Moisture would enter from the bilge side, so the outside of the hull would look fine, but would fail the hammer ping test. Check carefully.

Considering the age of the mk1, the standing rigging should have been completedly replaced by now. Any standing rig not already replaced, including turnbuckles, should be suspect. Things like turnbuckles and swaged fittings corrode from the inside out, so the first indication that there is trouble is when they break under load.

Check the transmission. There should be a solid "CLUNK" when put in gear. Check to see if the prop is actually spinning when in neutral. This happens.

Aside from all the negativity listed above, the C&C29mk1 is one of their best models. For a 29 it is HUGE below with a great, classic layout. I found the vee to be shallower than other models, but great for storage or kids if the adults don't like it. The quarter berth is huge, more like a double. It lacks a hanging locker, so if you need a place to hang your blue blazer or evening gown, you may be in trouble. The tee shaped cockpit with big wheel is excellent. And hopefully your boat has self tailing winches all around, which was a common option/upgrade. The standard keel is pretty deep, but there was also a desirable scheel keel version with shallow draft. A lucky find to have one of those.
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Old 02-08-2018, 15:54   #9
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Re: Looking at buying a C&C 29

Quote:
Originally Posted by GordMay View Post
Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Ken.

A problem with the 29-1 has been the mast step. It's a wooden block, and many owners report having to replace it, due to rot.
same issue with my Catalina 27.... the surveyor identified some water damage at the base of the compression post.... how to fix it.... injecting some miracle epoxies??
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Old 02-08-2018, 17:06   #10
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Re: Looking at buying a C&C 29

Had that model with Atomic 4 engine. No problems. Previous owner had plumbed a fitting so that I could close the seacock, attach a hose, and flush out the raw water cooling system. Kept the entire cooling system much cleaner.
The mentioned items are check items that a good surveyor will watch for. INVEST IN A GOOD SURVEYOR!
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Old 02-08-2018, 17:46   #11
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Re: Looking at buying a C&C 29

Quote:
Originally Posted by JaaaPeee View Post
INVEST IN A GOOD SURVEYOR!
I certainly second this advice. The C&C 29 is a good boat, but water soaked and deteriorated coring is expensive to repair and can be a deal killer. This is one of those things that surveyors are good at finding. Condition of the standing rigging is something else a surveyor can certainly advise you on. Things like an Atomic 4 versus a newer diesel are mostly judgement calls and personal preference, though they will certainly affect the value of the boat.
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Old 02-08-2018, 17:57   #12
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Re: Looking at buying a C&C 29

How much are they asking for the boat?
Why is it being sold?
Any known issues declared by the owner/broker?
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Old 02-08-2018, 18:07   #13
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Re: Looking at buying a C&C 29

Judging from some of the comments posted here, there are probably a number of folks who have never owned a C&C29. We bought ours used in 1985 because they were raced extensively here in Niagara as a one design. Originally they were a winning IOR half ton that Rob Mazza modified at the request of some members of the Youngstown YC, to race and cruise to the 1000 islands and Toronto north shore. For years they had their own start in the Youngstown levels. (and I think in last years CanAM, 6 boats)

The mast step thing, we found ours cracked on Saturday morning of the levels. Took us 45 min to replace and we showed up at the starting line in time to not get a DNS, which was traded for a DNF. Smart sailing eh. We take the rig down every 5 or 6 years and check it, replaced it once since. Drill a hole in the block and swage a stainless pipe to drain the stuff that comes down the mast. Problem solved.
As for the cored balsa, more nonsense. We have a soft port deck which we explored by replacing the small window in the head with a NFM one. Exp;oration found no problems. Since our bottom is Baltoplate overlayed with VC17 we don't have blisters either.

Below we store the table and have a huge room for entertaining in bad weather. I am 6ft and normally sleep in the Vberth, but some prefer the port bunk and have widened it with a pullout to the mast. I may do that as a 85 it is getting increasingly difficult to jump up into the Vberth. The quarter berth is really comfortable but short because of the window overhang...never open that window. It will take weeks to get it so it doesn't leak. If you ever have met Rob Mazza you will know why the bunks are somewhat short, as is he.
You will hear the knock that the boat is tender, mostly based on the C&C marketing guru's comment on the '29 website. Not strictly true and I don't recollect that Hank Evans ever raced his 29. Actually the boat carries more canvas than it should in a blow and it is required that you manage the sail plan, as every skipper should. Reef down early and keep her on her feet...roll up some genny and when the rail gets toward the water be aware that you are now slow and will get passed by the rest of the fleet, smiling as they go by. That's the joy of learning to sail in this boat.
As for the Atomic4, I wouldn't have any other choice. Smooth, quiet, and simple to maintain, head and shoulders over the smelly and cantankerous Yanmars that later replaced them. Same people that decry the gasoline danger also fit their boats with propane which is 100 times more dangerous. I have never heard of a 29 burning down but I do know a C&C34+ that had a propane explosion. $10k plus to retab the bulkheads.
As for rig replacement, we do look around and take the mast down every 5 or so years. But then we sail in a freshwater sea, so we don't have that problem.
Hopefully they have replaced the prop, the Martec folder needs to have its sholders welded every two or so years, which we failed to do.....we then mounted an expensive JProp (Beta Marine) which we gummed up by failing to use the right type of grease to service it. One day I will rebuild it. We now use the plastic prop for the A4 from Homer NY (Cornell faculty) since we don't race. It is killer but I have been told the designer has passed away and it may not be avail. If I was younger I would go looking to buy the business. Be aware that the prop is offset to port and a 29 makes mostly noise in reverse. With the Martec if you make max noise it works fine, but like beer you can't sip it.
In summary, for the price the only competition is Catalina, which is newer, more room, more flash and chrome and compared to the 29, dog slow. Makes it harder to learn on if you are serious about that sort of thing.
Now watch the trolls begin....as ever ask "Have you owned one", "Have you raced "?
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Old 03-08-2018, 01:01   #14
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Re: Looking at buying a C&C 29

Well FDR if wet core is nonsense I invite you down to my 1974 C&C to have a long, long talk with the soaked and delaminating cockpit sole and the soaked core around my starboard chainplate.
Two problems on mine that need to be repaired this winter before it spreads.
Maybe if you tell it the problem doesn't exist it will go away on it's own for me. Pretty sure I'm into some re-coring though.
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