Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina 30 by Tony Barra

Year built	1976
Location of boat	Ventura ,California
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	5-6
Liveaboard?	Yes
Owner bought the boat in	1976
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Yes PANACHE has taken me safley 1/2 way around the world. I spent 5 1/2 years sailing in the south pacific as far as Ause. and mexico 2x. The only thing that has been changed is the rigging(larger wire and turnbuckles.)
Gear that's been added	To much to list . Wind self steering ,dodger ,larger water tanks, more batteries, refrigeration,windless,and custome electrical panel and wiring. Ham and single side band radios.much mores
Structural or complex improvements	Just larger rigging and aft lower chainplate modification
The boat's best features	Very good open ocean sailing boat, safe when it is blowing . good interior accomindations confortable at sea. able to carry ampel provisions and water for off shore voyges
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	PANACHE has been trouble free for the 31years I have owned her.
Sailing characterisitcs	Very good on the open ocean off soundings .She has always adveraged at least 125 to 175 miles per day on passages.
Motoring characterisitcs	Moter use is ok .only have YS12b Yanmar so it is not used when I can sail. motor has 1975 hrs. in 30+ years .
Liveability	I have lived on It for 25+ years meaver had a problem with just 1person . A little crowed with 2 living at a marina and having to go to work in a office .
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	Very Good
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	Ok boat dealers are like used car dealers. be ware of promices made and not written down.
Other comments	Very good go fast crusing boat both off shore and near shore.

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