1976 C&C 38 Pre-Purchase Survey
I'm not a big fan of the IOR rule, or the way it affected designs of the '70's and early '80's, but C&C always had a way of getting the lines right in a timeless way. The C&C 38, produced from 1976 to 1982, is like a classic car that may not have today's look, but is such a great representation of its era that you have to appreciate it.
Does an IOR Racer/Cruiser make a good cruising boat today? Well, it depends on the performance you expect from your boat, and on your current budget. This design followed the IOR trend of having a small mainsail and big genoas for racing. It weighs about 15,000 lb. and has a fairly short waterline - just under 30', thanks to generous overhangs at the bow and stern. So, as a cruising boat, its speed is limited by its weight and short waterline, and it depends so much on the genoa for its sail area, that it is likely to be underpowered if sailed with a small, easily-managed jib. A furler can make the genoa easier to manage, and the genoa will work well downwind with a whisker pole - but it will still be a big, loud sail to tack. The current design trend is toward bigger mainsails, which are easier to handle for their size, and smaller jibs - also easier to handle.
On the flip side, if you are willing to deal with the genoa, and want to get a lot of boat for a good price, the IOR designs of the '70's can give you a great value. Just don't expect perfection, be ready to do some work yourself, and be wary of putting a bunch of money into the boat, because you won't get it back out.
Also be wary of structural issues. For instance, C&C loved balsa core, and this boat has a balsa-cored hull and deck. There were clear signs of moisture intrusion in the deck core and strong indications of moisture in the hull as well. There were no indications that the boat was having structural problems now, but the situation will not get better, and a buyer had better not be paying very much for the boat, or planning to put much money into it, because it won't sell for much later on.
Also, beware of any original systems on a boat like this. If it has a propane stove, chances are that the propane system will not meet ABYC standards, and should be renewed. If it has a gasoline engine, like an Atomic 4, chances are that the engine compartment does not meet Coast Guard standards for containing gasoline fumes (so that all electrical equipment onboard does not need to be ignition protected). Gasoline engines can be used safely, but if you are not familiar and comfortable with them, finding a boat with a diesel engine might be better. Any old electronics are also likely to be useless - especially that Loran C unit . . .
In short, there are good opportunities out there, but be careful.
