Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina 27 by ken merrifield

Year built	1978
Location of boat	Lake Huron, Ontario, Canada
The boat is sailed on	The Great Lakes
How the boat is used	Weekends and longer
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	2003
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Yes
Gear that's been added	Dodger, New VHF radio/cable, autopilot, Alado roller furling, pressurized water system and installed a new cutlass bearing for the shaft, new solar/power and passive vents, anchor hawser at bow for bow storage of anchor rode. I had sails cleaned and recoated.
Structural or complex improvements	Completely pulled out all windows and wood around around them. Foamed/fiberglassed around the windows to replace the wood and strengthen the cabin structure,installed all new window glazing, and modified the widow frames to allow proper drainage of any trapped water, finished u-bolt upgrades that previous owners had started, modified head to pull sink out further and with a new platform move toilet to the center of the head area. Resealed some deck fittings.
The boat's best features	Easy going and forgiving boat to sail, with not a bad turn of speed for its size. Also big interior for its size with dinette version. Very good spare parts availability was one reason I bought this used boat with lots of happy owners and information.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Leaks, around windows and deck fittings with poor workmenship to blame (not enough sealant in some critical ares). Some light weight material used such as deck fittings to hold up mast.
Sailing characterisitcs	Points well, easy to adjust sail controls, nice balanced tiller, except when motoring. Heals to a reasonable angle and stabalizes and still has just the right amount of weather helm.
Motoring characterisitcs	Motors well, except tiller wants to fight you for control if you are not careful. Atomic 30 pushes boat along very easily and is almost overpowered for its displacement, but the motor works very well. Boat has a Martec folding prop which definitely affects it in reverse.
Liveability	2 adults comfortably with maybe 1-2 small children for short periods. I really like the dinette version which I didnt think I would as I was looking for the standard version originally. It is nice to be able to look out when eating, which you can do with the dinette but not the fold down table model.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	Only dealt with Catalina Direct for window parts.
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	private sale.
Other comments	As i get it more ship shape, I am liking it better and better.

Contact
About
Terms of Use