Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina 30 by Jack Regar

Year built	1978
Location of boat	Tampa Florida
The boat is sailed on	Open ocean
How the boat is used	Blue water, extended passages
Normal wind strength	16-22 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	Tamp
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Yes, a good boat, tuff, well built with plenty of glass in the hull.
Gear that's been added	Yes, Auto-pilot, Mast light, alum. spreaders, roller-furling jib, davits, solar panels, ssb radio, refrigration upgrades.
Structural or complex improvements	No,
The boat's best features	Heavy weather sailing is where the boat shows her stuff, keep her on her feet and watch her sail.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Leakage around all portholes, bow area at the seam. Had to replace the engine with a new Yanmar 2GM20, shaft, cutless, prop, exhast hoses, thru hulls, all standing rigging, spreaders. Rudder shaft packing replaced, backed all lifeline stanchions with stainless steel plate. No major breakages, except, lost a lower shroud in heavy weather to Cuba, not a major problem-replaced at sea.Chain plates need inspection.
Sailing characterisitcs	10-15 ft seas, trips from Tampa to Mexico/Cuba/Dry Tortugas/Key West, she is a very stiff boat, forgiving. Always makes the distance when other boats drop-out.
Motoring characterisitcs	Restricted by prop size (12") doesn't allow for maximum RPM from engine. Had to have special prop made with large pitch. Otherwise, 4.5 knots average.
Liveability	good, is equal to most 34-38 ft boats. Needs more storage, original ice box had little insluation. Custom mattress for deticated sleeping area, Wind generator, solar panels are suggested for any extended cruising.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	Yes, they are very helpful, and a source for replacement parts, advise for repairs.
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	Would not buy from either again, would buy direct from owner.
Other comments	Best boat for the money, older ones are built like tanks. Good boat to buy for beginning sailors.

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