Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina 34mkII by Hal DeVera

Year built	2001
Location of boat	San Francisco
The boat is sailed on	Bays, sounds, or protected salt water
How the boat is used	Weekends and longer
Normal wind strength	23-30 knots
Average size of crew	solo
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	2000
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	I would definitely purchase this boat if I had to do it over again. This boat sails adequately in heavy air with the mainsail alone. I find that I rarely furl the headsail because it's so much easier to sail with the mainsail only. The boat turns like a dinghy when under power. This is great for close quarter maneuvering.
Gear that's been added	I have a wing keel and the low draft has been very handy sailing in the Delta areas of CA. I do not notice any problem heading upwind with the wing keel. I highly recommend having a chart plotter at the helm. The optional cockpit table is a nice addition and does not hinder movement in the cockpit nearly as much as I expected. I also have a furling mainsail and just love it.If you purchase the Radar/GPS/Chartplotter and autopilot. It is all linked together. The speedmeter will indicate Speed of Ground or Boat Speed that the water passing through the flywheel thruhull indicates. Another nice option is having the RAM microphone at the cockpit. It is very handy and I find I rarely use the radio at the nav station. In fact with the above options, the Nav Station is hardly used. That's good because it is rather small.
Structural or complex improvements	I noticed a leak which I think is coming from aft. Possibly the standard cockpit shower. I noticed water in the bilge whenever it rains hard only. Otherwise it is very dry (I have added the PSS dryshaft). The floor boards are rather thin and the bilge is quite shallow. When you use the shower in the head, you need to turn on the drain water pump. If water accumulates it will leak out from under the head door and drain into the main salon and under the floor boards. This necessitates unscrewing the floor boards and drying them, so they won't dryrot. The precaution of turning the sump on first should preclude any leaks from occuring, but you will need to let your guests know this.
The boat's best features	Best features are price, maneuvering, and easy handling.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.
Sailing characterisitcs
Motoring characterisitcs	I highly recommend the 3 bladed prop, if you have any current in your sailing area. It is very efficient. I bought a 3 bladed fixed prop and initially thought I might eventually changer over to a feathering or folding prop, but I hardly notice the drag and it so efficient when motoring. I doubt I will ever change props.
Liveability	Adequate.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	Not Applicable.
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	I purchased the boat from Farallone Yachts Sales. I have bought two other boats from them and have always had a great experience.
Other comments

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