Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina 30 by Dick Cook

Year built	1980
Location of boat	Port Orchard Wa.
The boat is sailed on	Bays, sounds, or protected salt water
How the boat is used	Weekends and longer
Normal wind strength	less than 10 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	1994
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Yes
Gear that's been added	electronic ignition, fresh water cooling on atomic-4. Bow roller. cockpit cushions, cockpit table, stern perch seats, boarding ladder, all new canvas,(sail covers and dodger),battery charger, anchor light, spreaders, jib roller furling system and new sail. Had custon dinette table made to replace old bulkhead mounted table.
Structural or complex improvements	No.
The boat's best features	Cockpit space, interior space and sailing performance
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Blisters. Old wood spreaders.
Sailing characterisitcs	She really sails!! can be a little tender in winds over 15 knots
Motoring characterisitcs	Need more power if going into a 3 to 4 foot sea. I am thinking of going to a 3 blade prop but hate to loose any sailing performance.
Liveability	More storage close at hand in the galley, need twice as much water and fuel tankage.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	Broker, good experience.
Other comments	She is perfect for what we use our sail boat for. We sail close to home when there is a good wind and cruise for 2-3 weeks a year.