Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina 30 by Scott Wynn

Year built	1980
Location of boat	Carlyle Lake, Illinois
The boat is sailed on	Lakes
How the boat is used	Weekends and longer
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	solo
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	2005
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Yes
Gear that's been added	Not yet.
Structural or complex improvements	Doing a rudder rebuild/repair.
The boat's best features	She is a big 30'er. Below decks there is room to actually get around and not have to be crowded with gear or with guests.She is heavy and stable. When you step onboard she don't give. I believe that puts first time guests at ease.Under sail she behaves very predictably. She is easy to set sails, sheet in/out, steers well, and she's not tender in a blow, again putting guests at ease and recruiting new sailors.Plus, I just love her lines. She is simple but pretty all at once.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Rudder had a crack when I bought it, but the surveyor thought it was repairable. Typical leaky port lights. Water intrusion (mostly from the port lights), bilge is usually somewhat wet.Main sheet setup is rather stiff and hard to let out the main in a hurry.
Sailing characterisitcs	Very good sailing. I have owned a Javelin 14, Com-Pac 16, Catalina 22, San Juan 7.7 (26) and the C30. I don't think she is nearly as fast as the SJ 7.7 but I'm not a racer. She is totally stable and has a solid feel to her. My C30 has a shoal draft so I can't point as high upwind. I can lock the wheel and go forward or below without shifing course. I am a sailor and I like my hanked on jib and genoa, I wouldn't change it. I also do not mind going forward to raise sail.
Motoring characterisitcs	My boat has an Atomic 4 and that is plenty of power for an inland lake with no current. I have found the A4 to be strong and very reliable.I was warned by other sailors that docking a C30 by myself would be hard if not impossible. WRONG! At slow, controlled speeds, having lines ready and even in strong winds, she is very predictable and docking is easy.
Liveability	I would have no problem staying on this boat for extended vacations alone or with the family.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	N/A
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	I bought her used from a broker at the lake not a dealer. My broker was a good guy and helped me through the whole process and helped in the title process.
Other comments	I believe that this is the best boat I have owned so far. I wish I would have starded with a boat like this.

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