Catalina Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Catalina 27 by Steve Cantino

Year built	1987
Location of boat	Carlyle Lake Illinois
The boat is sailed on	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	2010
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	I would buy this boat again given the same situation.
Gear that's been added	A handheld GPS and some incidental things like a boat hook, self inflating PFD's, a new stereo, hand held VHF, TV and bimini.
Structural or complex improvements	Removed the Standard Horizon speed transducer and glassed the through hull for the transducer. I fabricated a set of companionway doors that are removable. A great addition. I removed the alcohol stove and fabricated a built in cooler that will keep food frozen for 3-4 days. We use the factory cooler for storage. I replaced the Groco head with a new Jabsco. I converted the five interior lights to LED. Added 2 interior fans. Replaced all the fresh water lines. A new forestay. Installed lazy jacks and the above mentioned bimini.
The boat's best features	Solid boat. I love the handling and weight. She's fast, best speed to date (GPS) 7.9. With a single reefed main and genoa we have sailed in 20 plus knot wind and consistently achieve speeds in the 7's. She'll turn on a dime which is a big deal in our marina. The diesel pushes it with little effort with the 3 blade prop. Enough room for two but have slept 4, slightly crowded. Can spend a long weekend on it and be quite comfortable.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Am going to remove the adjuster on the split backstay next season and replace it with a new bridal terminated with turnbuckles at the chain plates. Moving the triangle attachment up a few feet. It will provide much needed access to the stern ladder and eliminate the constant head bump. Don't like the placement of the foresail winches, makes it tough single handing. The mainsheet system needs improvement, as well as the traveler. The stern locker lid is a joke. It leaks every time is rains. My only source of water in the bilge other than the stuffing box. Accessibility to the diesel is non existent from anywhere other than the front. Better have a small person around to address issues anywhere else.
Sailing characterisitcs	Recently sailed in 25 plus knot wind and was able to maintain 7 and half knots. Need to add an additional foresail and a 2nd reef to the main. Wouldn't hesitate to sail more often under those conditions with those mods and perhaps new standing rigging. She's fairly dry under those conditions and doesn't pound through the waves.
Motoring characterisitcs	Severe prop walk to port in reverse until water flow past the rudder kicks in. She'll cruise at close to 6 knots in flat water and average 5.5 in other conditions at 2600 rpms.
Liveability	Tight, but tolerable. Head is a phone booth, wouldn't think of using the shower even with the hot water tank. The 27 is the doorstep to the more comfortable 30. It's not camping but neither is it RV like. Pluses are the large boat features: hot water, pressure water, good stability, adequate sleeping, large cockpit, diesel motor. Storage is miniscule. Fresh water capacity is ok for a weekend, holding tank the same. Sufficient battery power for a weekend if required. Factory cooler, it's not. Removed the alcohol stove and built a well insulated cooler in it's place. Love that. Purchase a single burner butane stove and, love it. Also have the BBQ grill on the stern for grilling. Windscoop for the forward hatch when we cove out.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	One time, needed the torque specs for the keel bolts. AOK!
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any
Other comments	Good starter boat but you'll quickly outgrow it if you use it a lot, which we do. Would like to move up to a 30 but given our location and sailing geography I'm not sure it would make sense. Should we pursue our future plans I would consider another CAT. Having factory support available and parts is a major factor in any boat purchase. I think Catalina does a good job and their boat typically hold there value if well maintained.

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