jsfels,
The "Catalina Smile" is a result of the yard(s) not blocking the boat properly, most likely over several years. The forward end of the keel should be blocked higher than the aft end, and should bear most of the weight. Anyway, the smile is nothing to worry about. It's cosmetic. I have never heard of a deflection of the hull that was not caused, again, by improper blocking while on the hard. Unless tabbing on the inside has been broken, the hull should regain its former (beautiful!) shape when the boat is launched. I suggest a different marina if/when you buy the boat.

Scott- our boat is an 89 and we had the same issue when we bought our "Miramar".

We have had no problem with the "smile" and we make sure the yard blocks it correctly.

You will LOVE the C36.

Be sure and pull out EVERY cushion when you inspect for survey. The chainplates are notorious for leaking. We did not know this when we bought our boat and found a minor bit of wood damage inside at the base of the U shaped settee area.

You will find this group incredibly helpful.

Laura Olsen
Membership Officer

While I second other comments here regarding the "smile", which is typically cosmetic, I do question a depression (of an inch) aft of the keel. This is a heavily gridded area beneath the galley sink, isn't it? I certainly have not seen a depression in this area when my boat was blocked (albeit, it was always properly blocked). You should certainly bring this to your surveyor's attention. He/she will no doubt take a closer look at the grid and the tabbing of the water heater platform and other items in that area to confirm that the boat has not been damaged by misuse or a hurricane.

You don't mention where the boat is lying and perhaps it doesn't matter, as hurricane damaged vessels can be relocated quite easily. But I suggest you make sure your surveyor explores the depression you report.

Tom or Larry,

I have yet to slip my boat and noted in the manual that the forward edge of the keel should be blocked as you have mentioned. I assume it both keeps the boat level so rain water will drain from the cockpit and also spread the load evenly across the base of the keel.
Could you give me an idea of the height of the block required so I can ensure I have something handy when I take it out of the water in a month or so - looking at it from under water it looks to be about 2 to 4 inches?

Peter,
Blocking the keel is a variable process.
As the yard's crane (or hoist) lowers the hull, pieces of timber is placed under the keel to shim it (see attached drawings). Although this is a relatively simple process, it is important to prevent undue stress, opening "the smile" or worse.
I always make sure that I'm on the scene when Tara is blocked in a hullout. Sometimes boatyard crews are not aware of the Catalina keel shape; it is not flat like a Hunter (oops, dreaded "H" word) boat.

Hope y'all are having a pleasant summer down under in the Land of Oz. We have a nephew and his family living in Melborne; the rest of my Aussie bride's family lives in NSW and QLD. Fair Dinkum.

I too tried placing a 2" block under the forward edge of the keel a few seasons back when placing the boat on the storage cradle. This procedure may work for those using jack stands for support, all this will do is place too much weight on the cradle rear pads causing an indentation in the hull by one or both pads.
I tried this and luckily I was there to observe the process, plus having a yard master experienced enough to detect a problem with the boats weight on the rear pads.
The Catalina shipping cradles will sag if the keel is not supported along with the 4 corners. On my cradle, I now need three 2X12X4' boards under the keel to insure minimal weight on the rear pads.

Jack F Stewart
1993 C36 #1233 "Windancer"
Port Clinton, OH

I forgot to mention in my earlier response the my C36 has a wing keel.

Jack F Stewart

Thanks for the advice I will ensure I have a plenty of blocks available- mine will go on jack stands so I should be able to keep weight well balanced.
Chooch - its been a pretty hot summer down here this year- quite a way different from some of the weather up north in the USA.