I bought a Catalina 14.2 sight unseen two days ago. It was not my best move. Not all was as good as it seemed. So I have some questions and hopefully I can get some wisdom from the group. First, I am 74 years old and very excited about having a boat again. So here are the issues:
1. The boat was kept on a platform on a fresh water lake. The last foot or so of the boat collected a lot of calcium deposit and dirt. I was going to use muriatic acid but after reading some of the issues, I chose to play it safe and find another solution. What is the best cleaner that will help solve the problem.
2. The "waterproof cabin" up front was not. It had about 3 inches of water. I have cleaned it up but am curious how it got there. It has been stored outside for some time, so it was subject to heavy rains and heavy storms. Are there any issues I need to be aware of?
3. The plastic fittings in the self bailing drains are in pieces. Am I at risk sailing with them as they are in terms of wood in the transom being soaked?
4. I was under the assumption that the boat was rigged with a cunningham (I think that is the proper term). It isn't, but the main has a hole where the cunningham would go. I would like to add that as well as reefing points in the main. Ant issues with doing these things?
5. It has a brand new jib. It doesn't have a window in it. That would be nice to have. Would I be better off getting one cut and sewn into the new sail or buy a new one.
6. The shrouds need to be replaced. Where is the best place to buy them configured to the right length.
7. The boat came with a nice galvanized trailer. I doubt it was ever used much as the last time it was registered was 8 years ago. It is oddly configured though. Can someone point me to a youtube that instructs on how to adjust small trailers. The ones I found seem to be for more complex configurations. I have replaced the tires already as my nearest lake is 30 minutes away.
8. The blue and red striping has been worn off a little on the port side. Again, does anyone know a source for replacement that is not painting it on.
Thanks in advance for any wisdom advice you care to share. We were going to go out today but winds were running 15-20 with a new boat and a new lake, so discretion took the better part of valor.
Tom
Central Texas
1. The boat was kept on a platform on a fresh water lake. The last foot or so of the boat collected a lot of calcium deposit and dirt. I was going to use muriatic acid but after reading some of the issues, I chose to play it safe and find another solution. What is the best cleaner that will help solve the problem.
2. The "waterproof cabin" up front was not. It had about 3 inches of water. I have cleaned it up but am curious how it got there. It has been stored outside for some time, so it was subject to heavy rains and heavy storms. Are there any issues I need to be aware of?
3. The plastic fittings in the self bailing drains are in pieces. Am I at risk sailing with them as they are in terms of wood in the transom being soaked?
4. I was under the assumption that the boat was rigged with a cunningham (I think that is the proper term). It isn't, but the main has a hole where the cunningham would go. I would like to add that as well as reefing points in the main. Ant issues with doing these things?
5. It has a brand new jib. It doesn't have a window in it. That would be nice to have. Would I be better off getting one cut and sewn into the new sail or buy a new one.
6. The shrouds need to be replaced. Where is the best place to buy them configured to the right length.
7. The boat came with a nice galvanized trailer. I doubt it was ever used much as the last time it was registered was 8 years ago. It is oddly configured though. Can someone point me to a youtube that instructs on how to adjust small trailers. The ones I found seem to be for more complex configurations. I have replaced the tires already as my nearest lake is 30 minutes away.
8. The blue and red striping has been worn off a little on the port side. Again, does anyone know a source for replacement that is not painting it on.
Thanks in advance for any wisdom advice you care to share. We were going to go out today but winds were running 15-20 with a new boat and a new lake, so discretion took the better part of valor.
Tom
Central Texas