Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina 30 by Steve Waugh

Year built	1981
Location of boat	San Diego, CA
The boat is sailed on	Bays, sounds, or protected salt water
How the boat is used	Day sailing
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	Yes
Owner bought the boat in	1996
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	YES!
Gear that's been added	Lighting and electrical outlets, battery charging system.
Structural or complex improvements	None... The boat was extensively rigged for raceing when I bought it (7 bags of sails, folding prop, adjustable back stay etc.).
The boat's best features	Spacious,Fast and FUN!
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	The Atomic 4 gas engine.
Sailing characterisitcs	Fast and handles well (tiller steering).
Motoring characterisitcs	Motor is unreliable
Liveability	After adding additional shore power lighting and numerious fuse protected electrical outlets for the microwave, electric range top, toaster, Margarita blender, coffee maker, stereo, TV, VCR, electric heater, laptop computer, etc. etc. Very comfortable...
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	N/A (Boy Scout boat)
Other comments	I would say a used Catalina 30' is probably one of the best starter boats a family could own.