From: legacy@cbnewsj.cb.att.com (wayne.m.simpson)
Subject: Re: Help me with buying my first boat
Organization: AT&T
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 15:19:57 GMT
Summary: Cal 20? Good choice!

In article <1ec3neINNrgs@agate.berkeley.edu> jeffw@scam.Berkeley.EDU (Jeff Wallace) writes:
>
>I've been sailing for a year and I'm considering buying my first
>boat.  I'm looking at buying a Cal 20.  I sailed one this summer and
>had a great time with it.  I'm only planning on day sailing on
>the bay and it's a good boat for that.  I've found one for $1000
>and I'm interested, but I don't know the right things to look out 
>for and what all the expenses I'll have with a boat.

   Excellent choice! The Cal 20 is a nice looking, good sailing boat
that can be had for a very fair price nowadays. In addition, the class
is enjoying a renaissance in California with a strong Association,
good racing, and strict one design rules to keep the boats affordable
and competitive. For under $5000.00, you could have a boat that is
just as competitive as the ones the class hot shots sail.
   I know you say your aim is daysailing, but give racing a try once your
skills are up to it. You may find it to be a lot of fun, and you will
make new friends from the ranks of your one design fleet.
   To get more information on the boat, seek out the local Cal 20 fleet.
I'll bet they would be more than happy to survey your prospective purchase
with you, and would be far more knowledgable about this particular boat
anyone else.

>So far I've know I'll have to pay:
>   purchase price   $1000
>   slip fees        $90/month
>   insurance        ???

   Probably in the range of $200-$400 per year. Try BOAT/US.

>   maintenance      ???

   Somewhere between $200-$1000 per year, depending on what needs to be 
done.

>   engine           ???

   Need a new engine? 5 or 6 horse should be fine for this boat. Figure $500
for a nice used one or up to $1200 for a new one. (Maybe more, I'm not well
connected in outboards any more.)

>   new sails		???

   Maybe $1200 for a new set of main and working jib. Get a full batten
main, they're really worth it. Figure on spending more if you want a 
genoa and spinnaker. Buy a sail a year if you can wait, it spreads out
the pain...

>   (what else?)

   Depends on you. What do you need? VHF? Knotmeter? New cushins down below
would probably be nice. Maybe you should replace the standing rigging? It is
pretty old. I still think if you spent $5000.00 altogether, you could have
a very nice boat, and if you raced it one design, you might be tempted to
hang on to it longer than you otherwise would, and be happier overall.

>The boat was built in 1968, I think.  What additional problems
>should I expect from an older boat?  Does anyone think a 25 year
>old Cal 20 is a really bad idea?

   I think a 25 year old Cal 20 is a great idea for all the reasons
above, but you should definetly find a knowledgable Cal 20 owner to
help you survey the boat. Basically, the things to look for are 
soundness of the hull and deck, condition of the keel and keel bolts
(condition of the keel is not so important, the keel can be faired
so long as it hasn't been bent, but the bolts are pretty critical),
condition of mast and rig, and the wooden bulkheads that the rig is
attached to. There's not much to it. It's a pretty straightforward
boat.

>Are there any books or magazines that cover what to expect when
>buying a boat?

   Practical Sailor has a used boat buying quide, but the Cal 20 is not
listed as being covered specifically. There was an article in SAIL
Magazine earlier this year, but I don't remember which issue it was in.
Go look for the Class Association. They'll know more than any of them.

   My opinions, as always...

*************************************************************************
                                    Wayne Simpson, Technical Editor
(insert standard                    National Catalina 27 Association
        disclaimer here)            wms@spin.ho.att.com
                                    (908) 949-0482
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Newsgroups: rec.boats