Nauticat 33 - what to look for?

[MILLPOND]

I am thinking about buying a 1985 Nauticat 33. Looks good and seems to have been well looked after. The teak deck has been surveyed and is sound throughout, with no detachment from the underlying deck and good thickness throughout. Can anyone offer any advice on what else is of particlar concern on these boats, and what should I look for before committing to a survey?

The running rigging all needs replacing as it looks rather tired. Sails look intact but are a bit grotty - would probably clean up with a professional valet. How frequently should the forestay and standing rigging be repalced?

Electrics look ok but could probably do with updating as the circuit-breaker/switch panel has a few rather sad looking switches which have been replaced over the years. I would also probably want to add another domestic battery.

Were these boats ever prone to osmosis? I think the keel is encapsulated - am I right?

The stern gland does drip with the propshaft turning, but I assume this is part of the normal operation. It was repacked 3 years ago. Will this need repacking soon?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[timmcgrath222]

G'day MillPond

I'm just finding my way here in San Francisco looking at 80's Nauticat 33s. Here are some recurring problems I have seen on my 3 inspections (3 hours duration):
1) one vessel had reinforced the top shrouds by cutting away the manufacturers topside to bulkhead and replacing with stainless steel bars across the top of bulkhead to the underside of the deck fitting. Looked a bit of a mess but should be stronger with shear strenght on 3 M5 set bolts than fibreglass to wood adhesion.
2) all the teak decks are weathered to below the screw heads. Doesn't anyone oil their decks? Funny that the screw heads aren't sanded seems like they're used chemical wash to eat away the wood
3) a lot of corrosion on the engine coolant circuit in some cases the pressure cap isn't locating on the casting
4) hatches have leaked causing terrible rot in head lining
5) slight osmosis (5mm2 area and 2-3mm deep) around whole vessel
6) oil discharge at aft deck aft of mizzen mast on pilothouse cabin top just by where the antennae connections are. In this picture I am pointing to the offending leaking cap which is allowing oil seepage . Could it be the hydraulic steering? ATTACH=CONFIG]33837[/ATTACH]

If you could shed any light on these problems I'd be very grateful. Did you find any other problems?

Cheers Tim