Cal 33-2 Potential Problem Areas--Keel

Hi all, I am going to NY this coming week for the survey & sea trial(on Tuesday) of the 1986 33-2 I've been looking at. Thanks to all who have responded with potential problem areas--I've passed them on to the surveyor. Rog commented about the possibility of insufficient laminate where the keel joins the hull. Rog, I think you suggested pushing the keel while the boat is in the sling and observing if the keel moves laterally and the hull flexes. My experience is only with encapsulated keels. So, for this bolted-on keel, should I expect to move the keel laterally any amount? Should there be any flexing of the hull? I'm trying to get an idea of what, if any, is "normal" and allowable. If expensive repairs are required, that would be enough for me to reject the boat. This boat is vintage 1986 and HIN 64, I think. Thanks for your help. Travis

As these boats age, there is always some weakening in the laminate. Ideally, there will be no lateral flex in the keel - the righting moments and calculations for angles of heel built into these boats by the naval architects, did not include keels that canted in the wrong direction, but instead are based upon keels that are rigidly attached and integral to the boat. That said, you will probably see some flex. It could be nothing more than an inch or two in either direction. This can be remedied by stiffening the laminate (grinding out the gelcoat and adding new reinforcement - perhaps carbon fiber if you really wanted to get serious) in the garboard area. However, it is an expensive process. Check the keel bolt heads and nuts in the bilge as well. In summary, there could be some wobble. A little is simply the result of age. A lot is a problem. These are really sweet-sailing boats and with good maintenance can last forever and provide you and your family with years of happy memories. Good luck. Cal 29+ #1 Swiss Navy Cal 2-30 #77 St. Lori's Comet _____ From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Travis Sent: Sunday, November 05, 2006 8:10 AM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Cal 33-2 Potential Problem Areas--Keel Hi all, I am going to NY this coming week for the survey & sea trial(on Tuesday) of the 1986 33-2 I've been looking at. Thanks to all who have responded with potential problem areas--I've passed them on to the surveyor. Rog commented about the possibility of insufficient laminate where the keel joins the hull. Rog, I think you suggested pushing the keel while the boat is in the sling and observing if the keel moves laterally and the hull flexes. My experience is only with encapsulated keels. So, for this bolted-on keel, should I expect to move the keel laterally any amount? Should there be any flexing of the hull? I'm trying to get an idea of what, if any, is "normal" and allowable. If expensive repairs are required, that would be enough for me to reject the boat. This boat is vintage 1986 and HIN 64, I think. Thanks for your help. Travis

Travis, Good luck with the survey and sea trial! We have had our 33 for about 8 years. We have been fortunate to have had very little problem with our boat. There is another 33 in our marina whose owners just returned from a 6 month cruise to Maine and back. They did very little to prepare for the cruise in the spring. They installed a windless, to aid in anchoring. This prompted a minor upgrade in the DC electrical, adding a starting battery and dedicating the house batteries to lights and electronics. They were very happy with the performance of the boat during their trip. I would suggest a mechanical survey of the engineer with particular attention to tranny. the yanmar 3gm30f is a proven workhorse for yanmar. there is a minor issue with the shift linkage, the detent is in the linkage, and possible problem due to the linkage either not fully engaging the shift drum or shifting to far. This will eventually cause the cone to wear and slip under low idle. Later versions moved the detent inside the trany to eliminate shift linkage issues. Please keep us informed of your purchase. this list has been an enormous vault of knowledge, for the older cals and the newer designs as well. While the 86-88 cals were designed by Hunt associates, they are becoming "Good Old Boats" that require, TLC and caring owners. John Raxter Cal 33 Oriental NC _____ From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Travis Sent: Sunday, November 05, 2006 11:10 AM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Cal 33-2 Potential Problem Areas--Keel Hi all, I am going to NY this coming week for the survey & sea trial(on Tuesday) of the 1986 33-2 I've been looking at. Thanks to all who have responded with potential problem areas--I've passed them on to the surveyor. Rog commented about the possibility of insufficient laminate where the keel joins the hull. Rog, I think you suggested pushing the keel while the boat is in the sling and observing if the keel moves laterally and the hull flexes. My experience is only with encapsulated keels. So, for this bolted-on keel, should I expect to move the keel laterally any amount? Should there be any flexing of the hull? I'm trying to get an idea of what, if any, is "normal" and allowable. If expensive repairs are required, that would be enough for me to reject the boat. This boat is vintage 1986 and HIN 64, I think. Thanks for your help. Travis