new Cal 20

I went to P'cola, walked around the hull, the boat is on a nice trailer, and tapped,tapped,tapped, from top deck to waterline, then around again, below waterline all under the hull. The boat is rock solid. I did notice a slight area on the Starboard side near the Bulkhead but below the Chainplate that sounded a little soft, also found a definate soft spot on Top Deck Starboard side, but it has no relation, that I could tell to the Ribbing that sounded like a 35 year old vessel. The keel is solid, keel bolts are 'fresh', maybe ten years old. The Bow Stay, and all Chainplates sounded and felt tight. I also checked the Motor Well thing, is solid but I will be plugging it up then covering it as she has a Motor Mount board on the transom. My plans now are to motor her from P'Cola to Harris the Narrows, about 50 statute miles, I shall place all the gear on the trailer, I have a two metal boxes that I can bolt onto it for the gear, the Mast and Boom will be lashed to the top of the boxes, I have the Chains and Hardware for that to be secure for the ride over to my house. I figure a good shakedown run under motor power will allow me to hear,feel any areas that I may have overlooked or that could not be accessed on such a cursory Survey.I also wanna see how that Motor Well works with a 2hp Suzuki. I have a tent and all that stuff,PFD's, Signal Devices, Flares, and such, will gunkhole up at Tiger or Piney Point and then continue the journey on the next tide. Tides in my area only range about a foot, 'cept when a Hurricane is near, and one is not. I will be taking delivery of her on or about the third, so is time to start preparing. I have a buddy here that has a Boatyard and his ramp is 4'. so once I motor into town I have that covered. I can lay up at his dock and wait till next High Tide to re-set her on the trailer and bring her to the house so that I can start what the fella that sold her to me did not get around to. Any input or suggestions are asked for and more than welcomed. Thank you, JChia

Hello JCHIA, WElcome to the Cal World. I live in Pensacola, had a Cal 20 until Hurricane Ivan ate it. I sent you my phone # off the list. I am embedding some comments and questions in your post, marked by *** Tom Vandiver, Cal Cruising 46, Satori, Hull #3, Formerly Cal 20 Manana II From: roaming_lawn_gnome <ro… [at] yahoo.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, July 16, 2011 1:22 AM Subject: [Cal_Boats] new Cal 20 I went to P'cola, walked around the hull, the boat is on a nice trailer, and tapped,tapped,tapped, from top deck to waterline, then around again, below waterline all under the hull. The boat is rock solid. I did notice a slight area on the Starboard side near the Bulkhead but below the Chainplate that sounded a little soft, also found a definate soft spot on Top Deck Starboard side, but it has no relation, that I could tell to the Ribbing that sounded like a 35 year old vessel. ***Florida Statutes Antique Vessel, Section 328.72 Permits registering any vessel over 30 years old as an "Antique" for only $2.50 annually. I saved over $200 in fees by registering Satori, 1967, Bravura Cal 25 1968 & our Ski Nautique 1974 as antiques. ***The hull is solid fiberglass. The deck is cored with plywood. I had to remove all of the rotted plywood from under the deck on my Cal 20 about 10 years ago. Dry fitted plywood, epoxied both sides, then epoxied in place with 2X4's cut to hold until the epoxy goes off. Then I applied a layer of 6 oz cloth, painted etc. Labor intensive. The keel is solid, keel bolts are 'fresh', maybe ten years old. The Bow Stay, and all Chainplates sounded and felt tight. I also checked the (Motor Well thing), is solid but I will be plugging it up then covering it as she has a Motor Mount board on the transom. ***What a shame to plug the well and put an ugly bracket on a pretty Cal 20 transom. Call me and lets discuss this. For racing or sailing, I had a shaped plug that fit in the motor well. Hanging over the transom trying to shift gears and adjust the throttle is downright dangerous IMHO. My plans now are to motor her from P'Cola to Harris the Narrows, about 50 statute miles, I shall place all the gear on the trailer, I have a two metal boxes that I can bolt onto it for the gear, the Mast and Boom will be lashed to the top of the boxes, I have the Chains and Hardware for that to be secure for the ride over to my house. *** I don't understand. Why not tow the trailer with the Cal 20 on it? Trailer tires don't last long even with few miles on them. Check them carefully and inflate to specs. I figure a good shakedown run under motor power will allow me to hear,feel any areas that I may have overlooked or that could not be accessed on such a cursory Survey.I also wanna see how that Motor Well works with a 2hp Suzuki. ***If you don't have any adverse wind you can do it, but what a boring trip on a near perfect SAILBOAT. Why not step the mast and sail or motor/sail back home? My wife and I stepped the mast on our Cal 20 many times. If you wish, have one of the boatyards in Bayou Chico put your boat in the water, lay the mast on the deck and motor over to my dock on Edgewater Drive. We will help you step the mast and answer questions? Pensacola Ship Yard on Bayou Chico has an excellent ramp $5 to launch. I never put my Cal 20 trailer in the salt water. Always paid the yard to lift with their crane or travel lift, that is much less expensive than replacing all the wheel bearings or springs on the trailer. I have a tent ***?? Why not anchor out and sleep in the Cal 20? and( all that stuff,PFD's, Signal Devices, Flares, and such,) *** Make sure you have everything required and your flares are up to date. The Florida Fish Cops can be alpha hotels. You can stop at any West Marine store and get a free check list of required safety gear. will gunkhole up at Tiger or Piney Point and then continue the journey on the next tide. Tides in my area only range about a foot, 'cept when a Hurricane is near, and one is not. ***Tidal currents near the passes can exceed 2 knots, even running along the barrier islands in the ICW. With a 2 horse, you will be going backwards. I will be taking delivery of her on or about the third, so is time to start preparing. I have a buddy here that has a Boatyard and his ramp is 4'. so once I motor into town I have that covered. I can lay up at his dock and wait till next High Tide to re-set her on the trailer and bring her to the house so that I can start what the fella that sold her to me did not get around to *** I had never seen another Cal 20 around Pensacola. Wish I could have found him and shown him the transom of my fast Cal 20. . Any input or suggestions are asked for and more than welcomed. *** You asked. Ask any two Cal boat sailors for their opinion on about anything and you will probably get at least ten answers. My comments are not intended to offend, just share thoughts from a 73 year old Cal boater. Tom V Thank you, JChia