EP 2 - Fixing up our $3500 Sailboat in Dana Point and at the Shipyard (Part 1) 

It’s always exciting to discover another “rookie” sailor and his adventures in learning all about his sail boat! It would seem that you are well on your way captain!😊

Did you get any advice on that rudder repair? First thing is that you have to put holes at the bottom of the rudder to allow water to escape. That rudder has a metal rod inside. Then there are tangs welded to that metal rod. The foam they put inside that skin is then covered with fiberglass. With the look of that hole in the starboard side mid level on the rudder is only a hint of the troubles lying within that rudder. Many boats have leaky rudders. It is more common than you would suspect. But repairing a rudder takes some time and skill. Because you didn't put holes in the bottom of the rudder...none of the water that is below the hole you taped can not drip out (just common sense there)....is still there and will continue to corrode the shaft. In time you could lose the rudder while sailing. Which is not a very fun experience. There are several good cruising platforms that you need to join, if you haven't already. Skippers with decades or 50 plus years experience can help you on your learning curve. We all start out just like you. Cruisersforum is excellent. Sailing Anarchy is another good one but a little bit edgier. There are forums for certain types of boats...like Ericksons, Catalina...on an on. Always protect your health when working on boats....especially working on bottom anti-fouling. It is very hazardous to your health. Epoxies are also something that you need to use extreme caution. You will be using acetones, thinners, acclerators, and working in tight spots. You need good respirators and full face masks. You do not want solvents on your skin...EVER... You are young and don't think it can't harm you...The affects might not show up for a decade or more...Than you can have autoimmune diseases, bizarre allergies, leukemias, and organ cancers.....many linked to haz mat materials that are all part of boat maintenance. I love my boat and cherish time on the water....good luck and hope our wakes cross some day.

Pretty cool seeing you raising the main for the first time. Thanks for the bird's eye view of your haul out. You did a fantastic job of replacing the compass. I'd say you're a pretty handy guy. Misty did a great job of filming and narrating you leaving Dana Point to Long Beach I am totally enjoying your channel! Thanks!

The Catalina 30 is a decently constructed and designed commodious yacht that you can enjoy for many years if properly maintained. For $3500 it was an absolute bargain. A great start to your boating life.

We looked at a 1980 Catalina 30 today (atomic 4 gas engine) among a few other models in the past weeks. Strong feeling this will be my first boat very soon. Great channel btw.

love how you jumped right into fixing her up

I went to Dana Point looking at boats many times. After a unplanned move to New England I picked up a similar boat for just the marina fees. I'll subscribe and watch your journey. Eager to see your progress.

This is awesome. I bought a Catalina 30 myself. It's a big boat and lots to learn, but once you get sailing it's lovely!

The spot you’re at when talking about is where I used to keep my kayak. It was called pure water sports… now they moved across the way. That’s cool. Been checking out some vids, didn’t realize you were in dana at the start

I know this is a few months old...but I am very curious about how much the haul out and stuff costs. I possibly am looking at using that very boatyard. Also, you said you were sanding a few spots they missed, I am also curious what this fee was. Do you have a full costs vid? Perhaps the answers lay in another video, I shall look more! Thank you so much for sharing this process with us!

Am I the only one that wonders about the jacket and your admitting to having no sailing experience? I am a fan of irony:). I think it’s awesome to dive in head first!! I just subscribed and will be anticipating your vids!! Congrats of joining the sailboat owners club. Where we crave adventure and hate money!!

Great boat, awesome price. I have a 1986 Catalina 30 and love it. Good luck, and fair winds

Way to get after it bro , digging the story

Good video. Owned a Catalina 30 and they sail nice!! She mentioned putting in a shower. You do not want it to drain to the bilge! It will smell yucky because of skin fluffing off and soap and other particles. You need a small sump pump in the bilge , cheap and easy, and pump the water over board via sink or another way. But as the other guy said, do the most important work first! It’s a good sailboat!

I enjoy watching your videos. Also the Marinas you go too. What an awesome time looking for a boat and a deal. Happy Sailing 🛥️

The boat looks HUGE when it's over your head!

Nice score, looks really good 👍 you might want to put some fiberglass over that hole in the rudder

Anxiously awaiting your next episode!

i feel that this is going to be a lot of fun ! If the engine is good then you have got your money back already . I love Misty ,she is a real sailor girl. !

What a deal.I grew up in Laguna Beach & had a friend with a 32 foot Erikson in the Dana Point harbor.

Great clean up - really cool to be in at the beginning of your journey with your boat. I was not too impressed with the cradle strap marks on the hull post your spray job - which looked beautiful by the way - I hope that they are easy to clean off!! Looking forward to your next video 🙂

I’m going to learn about sailing. Good job Misty!

I stumble across your channel, and just loving the content!

Looks like a real bargain that's fantastic! Very nice spacious layout in 30 footer

If you want to sail in a number of different places that are distances apart then you need a trailer sailor. They range from 23 to 28 feet. There are some that go to 33 feet but you need a pretty heavy duty tow vehicle for them, sailboats are heavy...

You gotta a lot of views and deserve every one.

Shes a beautiful boat, exactly what I am looking for. I will follow with intertest. Please keep us up to speed on what you are spending on top of your bargain purchase.

Find a good dust mask sanding anything or you can cough forever!! Great job!!

Awesome !

Nice work ⚓️👍

You are making it look too easy. lol. We need more suffering and angst to truly do a refit. Jokes aside, looks good. Make sure you can trust the engine and your lines and basically you got this. Try not to beat to windward too much so as not to beat her up too soon and sail, sail, sail. The more you do, the more you know. Try some man overboard maneuvers with a float so you can learn emergency tacks. Next. get rum and suntan lotion for serious anchorage socializing. Happy trails.

Nice episode. I will subscribe.

Time to catch up on the vids that I missed! LOL

Nice job 👍

Woman are natural at sailing. They feel the boat and sail instantly. Men over think and over steer. This is what I have noticed over the years. Have fun and sail far.

Nice boat,look good,

So I subscribed. I am also looking for a boat. Been looking for a couple years. Good for you. I hope it goes well. What make and model dod you get? I don't recall if you mentioned it in the previous video.

look at the key on your prop. It needs to go thru both sides of the castle nut.

Brave souls... that you are.

I want to own a boat like yours. I have sailed (raced as "Crew") with others on many types/sizes of Sloops. I have no idea what it cost to have work done. Are you going to keep a running cost for us? Like, how much does it cost to have it taken out of the water and is there a per/day cost of it just sitting there? What did it cost to have the bottom painted? Does it come down to $/foot of waterline or is there more to it? How did you know your sails ($$$$$.$$) were OK when you purchased your boat? Many thanks and I really appreciate your honesty.

watching this now cause its raining lol

Not trying to be a troll here, but I'm surprised by the use of spray foam to repair the void in the rudder. Can you tell us about how you came to that decision? I'm not pretending I know more (I don't), just trying to understand.

Did you fiber glass over the hole in the rudder? Otherwise it was a good video

Definitely wear a propper dust/chemical mask when you sand/paint the bottom. Stuff is toxic.

I’m in Oxnard, if you ever need crew!

THE BOATYARD LEFT A LITTLE PAINT AND DIRT ON YOUR HULL........

Dana point lets you diy ? I'm purchasing a boat as well and looking for diy yards. Long beach is not a diy friendly

Would love to connect more... do you all have a patreon? How can I offer my service if you ever need a deck hand?

How many miles can you go on a full tank??

If you are going to spend any serious time on your sail boat, more than just weekends then you need to be in a 34 to 42 foot boat !...

Good novice videos. But could have done better on the rudder. thou. Maybe next time. Drill a hole in the bottom of the rudder. Dry out for a day or two.

R they any $35 boats its all I have