Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina 27 by direck

Year built	1983
Location of boat	Mobile bay
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	solo
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	1995
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	I would most certainly buy this boat again. I first started with a 16 compac then moved up to the compac 23 and now am the PROUD owner of the Cat 27.
Gear that's been added	I have converted to wheel steering,up graded to a yamaha 8hp 4 stroke and are presently using the captain navigation program with laptop and garmin gps.
Structural or complex improvements	I had to enlarge the engine opening for the new outboard and reinforced the transom. I converted from tiller to wheel because I felt the tiller took up too much space in cockpit when manuvering.
The boat's best features	I feel for the size, the Cat 27 has the most room and is more comfortable than any boat I have owned to date. I feel a boat would have to have significent better atributes to even make me consider moving up. As far as the the sailing I do (Bay Sailing usually day) I feel this is the perfect boat.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	I feel there could have been more consideration given to the space in the the forward cabin for two people. Like many, I have designed a means of converting the two seats in the main cabin to a full size bed. Although my wife has yet to stay on the boat I am hopeful for future weekend trips.
Sailing characterisitcs	Although Mobile bay is usually pretty calm it does at times kick up pretty significently. Usually there is pretty windy conditions until late afternoon then either I take a really slow trip back to the slip or crank up the outboard.
Motoring characterisitcs	With the log shaft outboard I have great control and good manuverability in all but severe winds.
Liveability	I feel that it is great for weekends but may get a bit cramped for more than a day or two. As I stated my wife has never stayed on the boat so it may get cramped after a single night.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	N/A purchased from individual.
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	N/A purchased from individual.
Other comments	I am really pleased with the 27 Catalina and cannot imagine owning another boat.

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