Cal boats
Cal was a California sailboat builder active from the 1950s through the 1980s, known for fiberglass cruiser racer designs. With 132 hulls still registered in the US and a median length of 27 ft, these are aging mid size sailboats that suit budget conscious cruisers willing to maintain an older boat. Most registered examples date from 1975 to 1987, meaning buyers are looking at 40 to 50 year old vessels.
Cal used prices from our data
Show the numbers by model year
| Model year | Boats | Middle half of asks | Median ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | too few to show | - |
| 2004 | 1 | too few to show | - |
| 2003 | 1 | too few to show | - |
| 2002 | 2 | too few to show | - |
| 2001 | 3 | $13,500 to $15,500 | $14,500 |
| 2000 | 1 | too few to show | - |
| 1989 | 1 | too few to show | - |
| 1988 | 1 | too few to show | - |
| 1986 | 1 | too few to show | - |
| 1983 | 1 | too few to show | - |
| 1982 | 1 | too few to show | - |
| 1981 | 3 | $6,000 to $24,000 | $6,500 |
| 1980 | 2 | too few to show | - |
| 1979 | 3 | $3,000 to $5,500 | $5,000 |
| 1978 | 3 | $5,500 to $16,000 | $6,500 |
| 1977 | 6 | $5,000 to $11,500 | $8,500 |
| 1976 | 3 | $4,000 to $9,500 | $5,000 |
| 1975 | 1 | too few to show | - |
| 1974 | 5 | $3,000 to $11,000 | $10,500 |
| 1973 | 2 | too few to show | - |
| 1972 | 2 | too few to show | - |
| 1970 | 5 | $5,000 to $14,500 | $7,500 |
| 1969 | 1 | too few to show | - |
| 1968 | 3 | $4,500 to $6,500 | $5,000 |
| 1967 | 1 | too few to show | - |
| 1965 | 1 | too few to show | - |
55 distinct Cal boats, listed now or since taken down, newest seen 2026-11-14. Asking prices, not sale prices. Value change per year of age is fitted on 32 boats with a known length, holding length constant. Cal values by model year.
Cal models we have the most data on
| Model | Boats seen | Median ask | Value change a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cal 34 | 9 | $12,000 | - |
| Cal Air | 8 | $17,500 | - |
| Cal 29 | 5 | $7,500 | - |
Cal recalls and USCG accident records
Of 36Cal boats in USCG accident records: fire or explosion 6%, flooding or swamping 6%, capsizing 0%, total loss 8%, at least one death 6%. Accident records reflect how and how much boats are used, not only how they are built. Only accidents above the USCG reporting threshold are recorded. Personal watercraft are left out.
Are Cal boats reliable?
Cal boats have no USCG recalls on record, reflecting straightforward fiberglass construction from the era. Owner costs on these older hulls are driven primarily by deck and hull blister repairs, engine rebuilds or replacements, and outdated rigging and electrical systems that often need full replacement rather than incremental upgrades.
Common problems to inspect on a used Cal
- Deck core delamination and soft spots around stanchion bases and hatches
- Hull blisters below the waterline requiring barrier coat treatment
- Corroded or frozen seacocks and through hull fittings
- Outdated standing rigging and turnbuckles past service life
Registry footprint
Sample = US state open-data vessel registries (currently Texas + New York, ~875k vessels). Treat as a representative slice of recreational US inventory.
Recalls (0)
No USCG recalls on file for Cal.
USCG MIC entries (7)
-
CAKCAL CUSTOM BOATS CHICO, CA inactive -
GQNCAL CUSTOM MACHINE & MFG CHICO, CA inactive -
DLSCAL CSTM YT & MRNE HDWR REDONDO BEACH, CA active -
VLACAL VAC MARINE SANTA CLARA, CA active -
KCPCAL-BAJA BOAT CO CARLSDAD, CA active -
KDGCAL-PEARSON CORPORATION BRISTOL, RI active -
CJLCAL-SAIL BLOOMINGDALE, NJ active
Frequently asked questions
Are Cal boats good quality?
Cal boats were well regarded cruiser racers in their era with solid fiberglass construction, but at 40 to 50 years old, quality depends entirely on how previous owners maintained the hull, deck, and systems.
What is the resale value of a Cal boat?
Cal sailboat values vary widely based on length, condition, and refit history. Well maintained examples with updated systems and recent surveys command premiums, while project boats needing deck or engine work sell at deep discounts.
Are Cal boats still made?
No, Cal ceased production in the late 1980s. All Cal boats on the market are used, with most registered hulls dating from 1975 to 1987.
What engines do Cal boats have?
The registered Cal fleet includes 69 diesel powered hulls and 59 gasoline powered hulls, with many owners having repowered from original engines over the decades.
Looking at a specific Cal?
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