Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina 27 by Eric Altman

Year built	1987
Location of boat	Lake George NY
The boat is sailed on	Lakes
How the boat is used	Day sailing
Normal wind strength	Press here to select
Average size of crew	5-6
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	2001
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Yes i would definatly buy this boat again. I have sailed many comperable boats to the catalina 27 and nothing comes close to its comfort or sailing ability.
Gear that's been added	Additional cabin lights, missalineous electronics, bimini.
Structural or complex improvements	There have been no structural problems.
The boat's best features	I like the large amount of storage in the boat. I also like the fact that the boat loaded weighs over 8000 pounds. This is 2000 pounds hevier than a friends O'day 272and it makes the boat feel much more stable than the O'day.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	The only problems ive had is that a few turning blocks on the deck wore out and needed replacement. (the blocks replaced were origional and over 20 years old)
Sailing characterisitcs	The boat points very well to windward. It very stable. I would say the best heading for this boat is a broad reach. It is fast and stable on that heading. Ive got a 150% furling genowa which is necessary to get moving in light air. The boat handles best in 15-20 mph winds with a reefed main and partially furled jib.
Motoring characterisitcs	My boat a 1987 hull#6358 has its orgional uneversal M-18 desil. The engin has never had a major problem other than routine mantenice. Its 14hp and the boat will cruse at 6 knots under power. I like the inboard much better than any outboard. It has ample power for the boat. The motor has enough power to get the boat out of a muddy bottom after a grounding and when comming into a dock once you throw reverse the boat literly stops on a dime. The only thing thats not great about this powerplant is that in reverse the boat creeps starbord significantly due to prop wash.
Liveability	You can sleep 5 on it but its a tight fit. 1 or 2 people can comfortably stay on it for several days.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any
Other comments	Its an overall great boat

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