Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina 30mkIII by Jerry White

Year built	1997
Location of boat	Kemah, TX
The boat is sailed on	Bays, sounds, or protected salt water
How the boat is used	Weekends and longer
Normal wind strength	16-22 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	2002
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Yes. We've owned the boat for only about four months, but there's nothing unpredictable about this prosaic and venerable (perhaps archaic) design; it's typical of the beamy, flat-bottomed breed - stiff up to about 16 or 17 knots (even with the wing keel), at which point weather helm becomes unbearable and reefing is required (reef early and reef often). It serves well as a comfortable, reasonably entertaining (although unexciting) daysailor and makes a good weekend retreat for two people. It's an honest boat.
Gear that's been added	We've added little. Rather, we are the happy beneficiaries of the previous owner, who unselfishly installed air conditioning (an absolute requirement in South Texas), refigeration, a wind machine and autopilot (in addition to the usual depth sounder and knot meter), a marvelous bimini with removable windshield, a dripless packing gland and a sump that contains and discards the outflow from the A/C and shower.
Structural or complex improvements	No and I sincerely hope we don't have to. If my previous boat, a Catalina 27, is any guide, the 30 Mk III will be sufficiently robust for our needs.
The boat's best features	1) The 30 is a straightforward sailing boat, well balanced in moderate winds and easily balanced (by reefing) when the wind pipes up. The widened transom and walk-through cockpit of the MK III has the ergonomic refinements of newer designs and is exceptionally comfortable (although the person at the helm cannot reach any of the sail controls).2) The old-fashioned layout below (with a smallish forward head) provides great "living" space for two. Newer designs in the 30-32 foot range tend to squeeze the main cabin (i.e., where you hang out) between the V-Berth and aft head and enclosed quarter berth (laughably called "staterooms" by sales people) so that going below requires that you shower, sleep or eat - don't think about laying around watching TV. On a 30, you can.3) Fit and finish on the boat is very good and the boat doesn't creak underway; all of the "production" builders are manufacturing increasingly impressive products.4) No wood topsides (other than the hatch boards) - boat builders are finally coming to their senses.5) Engine access is wonderful (at least compared with my Catalina 27).6) Simple, easily-tuned single spreader rig.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	1) Space behind the wheel is cramped.2) Old-fashioned sail controls (the single line reefing system is a pain).3) The boat lists (very) slightly to port so that rain water often is trapped on the starboard cockpit seat; this is a real nuisance, not to mention a potential cause of cockpit (!) blistering.4) All four opening portlights on the coach roof leak (we will be replacing the seals); these portlights seem designed to leak (look at one on an older Catalina and you'll see what I mean). 5) The MK III unfortunately retains the pointlessly large main hatch (with wide, awkward hatch boards) characteristic of earlier Catalina designs; this thing lets in lots of sun when open and lots of rain when closed.
Sailing characterisitcs	See above.
Motoring characterisitcs	I'm very pleased with the 23-HP Universal and three-blade prop; the boat runs quite smoothly up to hull speed. In addition, the boat backs straight (as long as reverse is engaged - don't ask!), and frankly is far easier to manipulate into a dock than my smaller, tiller-equipped Catalina 27.
Liveability	See above. Probably the best layout available in the size range. Note, however, a forward head brings drawbacks: 1)working your way forward at 25 degrees of heel is tiresome, and 2) the shower, formed by pulling a couple of cheap vinyl curtains to convert the space to a telephone-booth sized enclosure, is intended only for masochists.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	Unexceptional.
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	Straightforward transactions - on the sale of my previous boat and purchase on the "new" one.
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