Just got a free Cal 20 HELP!!!

[SCMB666]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

Great that you have a free home for it while you work on it, my suggestion would be to scrounge the for sale adds for the same boat, this will give you lots of pics and info as to location and install of the equipment. Looks good, especially the equipment packed up for storage. Enjoy the journey.

Yes sir. Couldn’t afford to store it and if she wasn’t in my back yard I would never have time to work on her either.

[SCMB666]

I’m going to take a look at these cal spa fuc groups. I didn’t think of looking for any. Looking through google I’m starting to think there are different ways to set these boats up. I need to figure out how this one was rigged.

[SCMB666]

Originally Posted by gamayun

Oh my. Where ya at? Lots of Cals still racing and sailing in CA. They're pretty simple things. Just keep the pointy side up and the water stuff outside. I can take pics next time I'm near the fleet I used to sail but a Google image search should give you practically the same result. All the best to you on getting her back in the water!!!

I’m in Santa Cruz CA. I’m sure I can find some at the harbor to take pictures of. I’m glad to hear there simple, can’t imaging how a complicated boat looks.

[SCMB666]

Off the point but does anybody know what kind of fuel economy this boat would get with a newer 6-8 hp 4-stroke?

[Vets sailing]

Seals Spars and Rigging in Alameda specializes in Cal 20’s. Another good resource.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by SCMB666

Off the point but does anybody know what kind of fuel economy this boat would get with a newer 6-8 hp 4-stroke?

Those little outboards don't burn much fuel at all similar to a diesel. I have a 5 hp 4 stroke on my 6600 lb Bristol 27, and I can do 20 miles on a little over gallon of gas. (about 4 hours run time)

Your boat should do better though since it's 4600 lbs lighter

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by SCMB666

What is this sheet metal contraption?

That looks to be a disassembled radar reflector.
Project Boat, Cals are good Sailors Though.
SV Cloud Duster

[Exctyengr]

Congratulations on your freebie! Cals are great boats, good sailors and simple to maintain. My suggestion would be to make contact with another Cal 20 owner and by simple observation learn where the bits, pieces and parts go. I would also get Don Casey's book "This Old Boat" where in humorous fashion goes through old boat restoration.
One last thing: Do NOT paint the hull black!!
Good luck keep us posted

[grae]

have a look at the Cal sailors group (migrated from Yahoo)

https://calsailors.com/

lots of model specific forums

G

[Lake-Effect]

That boat looks like a score!

Try to strike up a friendship with some nearby Cal 20 owners, to look at theirs as an example, and to serve as mentor. Most happy boat-owners can't shut up about their baby, so getting info is rarely a problem.

When you get her back on the water, take the old owner out for a sail or two.

[stormalong]

I sure hope it came with a mast, boom and sails. Buying them would make your free boat very expensive.

Next step: Find someone with a sistership and and take a lot of pictures.

+1 on the boat color. Not only because it would get very hot but because you do not want a stealth sailboat.

[michaeld]

We had a 1979 Cal 2-27, hull #627, for fourteen years. She was a great boat. http://www.richardanderson.net/TechS...s%20Manual.pdf may be useful.

[Jdeuel]

However ratty your hull gelcoat might seem, you can probably bring back some of the shine by wet sanding. Test in an inconspicuous spot, but I’d begin with 800 and work up to 2500 grit. Finish with a polishing compound and then a wax.

Cal 20 is a great, capable boat. I believe one completed a Singlehanded Transpac (SF-Hawaii) a few years back.

[Woodland Hills]

I would not put any effort into making it look good until it was able to sail. You have so much work ahead that you can’t get sidetracked on cosmetics.

[fatherchronica]

If what he says is true, you can do it. You can figure out the rigging online for sure. It depends on your level of determination and handiness with tools. When you are done you will know far more about your little boat than 99% of boat owners. Remember that everyone on this site's hero, Joshua Slocum, was given a boat in quite possibly worse condition and was able to get the ghost of it into the water in just over a year using hand tools. Of course he had no other job requiring his attention.