Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina 30 by Jeff MacDonald

Year built	1982
Location of boat	Apollo Beach Florida
The boat is sailed on	Bays, sounds, or protected salt water
How the boat is used	Weekends and longer
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	2008
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	I had this boat shipped down from Deltaville VA after a very good person sailed her for years. I could think of no other boat to have.
Gear that's been added	It came pretty well equiped with Auto pilot, Cruise Air, New 3ym20 engine (15hrs.) New Gennie. I purchased new out side cushions all interior were new. I installed new Corian countertops as well.
Structural or complex improvements	I did fix a Catalina Smile on the keel before I put her in the water. I have only sanded and stained the teak but I just ordered all new windows.
The boat's best features	6'3" love the head room and compaired to the other boats in the marina I have a rock star bus compaired to there campers.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Plumbing seams to be my nemisis. I can not figure out how to get rid of the smell when I come down every weekend.
Sailing characterisitcs	I am not an avid sailor (yet), I will give more feedback later but I can tell you when I am following friends in there equal size boats I out run and handle them. Tall Rig with bow sprit!
Motoring characterisitcs	New 3ym20! Great motor with drip less syestem Cruise about 5.5 to 6 knots. Very fortunate to have gotten this boat
Liveability	Great for my wife and I on the weekends. I could go for longer not so sure about her.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	Live about 30 min. from Largo facility (Morgan/Catalina builders of Florida). Toured the plant and introduced to parts manager. Never contacted them have had all resources that I need on the internet.
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any
Other comments	Very lucky to have fallen into the best all around sailboat to ever go into production. The community, the aftermarket and the reputation of this boat makes me feel like I have done somthing right in my life to deserve her. Good sailing!

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