Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997
 
 
 

Review of the Catalina 30 by Jack Coman

Year built 1988  
Location of boat San Francisco Bay  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength 16-22 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 1997  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? I would definitely buy this boat again. It meets 95% of my sailing needs: Handling Ease, comfort, able to sail well in typical SF Bay conditions, Cost effective, parts easy to find.  
Gear that's been added New, stiffer sails with a doublr reef point on the main, replaced the roller furler with a new Harken Unit, a rigid vang, and a handheld GPS.  
Structural or complex improvements none  
The boat's best features Parts and sails available  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The topping lift located mid boom is terribly inconvenient. The compaionway tilt makes it difficult to keep below dry in rainy weather.  
Sailing characterisitcs My Catalina 30 sails well in typical San Francisco Bay conditions. As the wind hits 15 knots I reef and can comfortably sail in winds slightly exceeding 25 knots. Downwind with a following sea one has to pay attention to steering, and it can be a bit fatiguing. In windwaves and chop of up to a couple of feet while sailing on the wind, we look good enough to be put in a magazine!  
Motoring characterisitcs i have only motored about 60 hours. pretty effortless. The 3 bladed prop provides enough prop walk to be effective, and provides a very smooth ride under power.  
Liveability Pefect boat for 4 on a long weekend.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any NA  
Other comments I got what i thought I bought.  

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