Dropping a line from SF, CA

[NightDog]

Good evening all,

Just wanted to drop a line over here and say thank you as a long time lurker and a soon to be contributor. I am a convert from trawler to sail going from a 34' CHB to (hopefully soon) a Catalina 42.

[Don C L]

Welcome here and let us know how it goes!

[NightDog]

Will do and thanks. Quick question regarding sailboat specific surveys as I only have experience with surveys for power and commercial vessels. For the survey, do I need a sailboat specific surveyor or in conjunction with a surveyor should I also retain a rigging specialist to go over the sails etc?

[Steadman Uhlich]

Howdy and Welcome Aboard CF Nightdog!

You asked about the surveyor. Conventional wisdom here says that having a rigger go up the mast and inspect the rigging is a relatively low cost expense prior to buying the boat and is likely less expensive than any damage you might incur from unseen (from the deck) faults in the rig.

Many folks also advise having the engine oil tested.

Good luck with your new sailing adventure! I lived in SF for many years and thoroughly enjoyed sailing on the Bay and off the coast too. Have fun!
---------

Here are some past threads discussing rigging surveys:

https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=011403...rvey&gsc.sort=
-----------------

Here's my favorite tip for newcomers to this forum:

There is a vast amount of information here and many helpful members who have extensive experience.

My Favorite CF Forum Tip: Use the Google Custom Search Function

I know that most people who are new to this forum might try the ordinary search function of the forum when they have a question in mind. Unfortunately that always yielded few results for me when I tried that when I first joined this forum. In contrast, a standard Google search outside of the forum can produce a bewildering list of links too. It was only later that I learned to quickly and easily find great links to archived or previous threads on a topic.

I only use the Google Custom Search field on this forum when searching this forum, and I find all the answers I need here too using that.

I find it superior to an ordinary search using the standard "search" field and usually get the answers I want very quickly. So, it is my "number one tip" to newer forum members. .

Note! The Google Custom Search field is found under the "Search" menu seen at the top of your browser window when you are in the CF forum on any page. However, it is NOT shown as an option if you are viewing the Forum site using the CF Mobile app. Use a browser like Safari instead.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by NightDog

Will do and thanks. Quick question regarding sailboat specific surveys as I only have experience with surveys for power and commercial vessels. For the survey, do I need a sailboat specific surveyor or in conjunction with a surveyor should I also retain a rigging specialist to go over the sails etc?

My own opinion is a good surveyor can do it all. The trick is to find a good surveyor. Ask lots of locals and see which name pops up the most. Do you have a particular Cat 42 in mind or just like 'em in general? Posting a thread here asking about 42s could help you be on the lookout for specific weaknesses, I am pretty sure there are folks here who know them well.

[scotty c-m]

Welcome. I like the idea of having a rigger survey your rig, especially as you are new to the sail part of boating. I also am in favor of having an engine survey. The Catalina 42 is particularly well suited to SF Bay. Lots of those boats are in the area. Good luck and let us know how it works out.

[NightDog]

Don and Scotty,

Thank you both for pointing me in the right direction, I'm hopeful it works out too and look forward to seeing you out on the water with me under sail instead of black smoke and white water behind my boat!

[gamayun]

Welcome to CF and all the fun that sailing offers! I used to be a stink potter too so you'll soon see how a few of them can really make all the rest look bad.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, NightDog.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by NightDog

Don and Scotty,

Thank you both for pointing me in the right direction, I'm hopeful it works out too and look forward to seeing you out on the water with me under sail instead of black smoke and white water behind my boat!

... and come out of the Bay and turn left and come on down to the Channel Islands, lots of fun down here too.