Catalina 30 MK 2, 1999 your thoughts???

[Tjstrain]

Looking to get into coastal cruzing all around the sunshine state and eventually sail over to the Bahamas. Just my wife, our two golden retrievers, and I cruzing any distances. But local sailing will include the kids and grand kids. The Catalina 30 seems to be a good size and price range. The 35 would be way better but the cost is quite a bit more. Being the first boat i wanna start out inexpensive but equipped. Get the experience going around Florida and decide if a larger boat will be required to make the trip to the Bahamas.
Question: how dependable is the Catalina? I was looking at more craftsman style vessels like the Bristol Channel Cutter, Dana 24, Allegra 24, oh and the Baba 30, being a woodworker all of my life i love the craftsmanship of those boats, and yes i know the prices of those vessels. Eventually moving up to one of those. Already found a Baba30 locally for sale but wanna make sure my wife gets use to the idea.
I like the 2 cabin idea of the Catalina’s 34 and 35’s but when I end up sailing solo i think the 30 will be easier. Im finding a lot of C30’s for sale, and even one in really nice condition with all electronics less than a year old that basically needs nothing. Owners just are not using it like they thought.
Got tired of power boating, sold our 24’ boat six months ago. Had jet ski’s for 10 years before that. I use to sail hobbies cat’s and laser’s 20 years ago.
Ideas, opinions, remarks whatever you would like to add please feel free.

[Cheechako]

The Cat 30 is a fantastic starter boat. Popular... and easy re sell too. (well, no boats are easy!) Don't pay too much. They have a practical, roomy layout for a 30. You will find out if you and your wife really like cruising that much, then you can decide to move up to something fancier.
Fine for the Bahamas too.

[Calif.Ted]

I've had a Catalina 270 and a 320, I like them, kept in Bristol condition they maintain value well and sell quickly when you want. Parts are readily available.
Oh, I've sailed both between San Diego and San Francisco so I'd put them up there with anything else for dependable.
Handling is predictable if rigging's done right, weather helm of a mast head rig, if grossly overpowered it rounds up, spills some wind and stands back up, no drama.

[ontherocks83]

I grew up sailing on a 1983 for 25 years, and just bought a 1984 so I am a little biased . They are very forgiving under sail and are well built boats. Obviously most of it is on how well it was maintained but if you like the layout they are a great boat and they are very roomy for their length.

As Calif.Ted said they definitely like to round up when over powered but dropping the traveler to leeward will negate a lot of that. Even then they can handle more sail than you'd think in higher winds.

My 1983 once had a water spout pass by within a few hundred yards while under bare poles and put the mast right in the water, (I was not on board at the time thankfully, our co-owner was) as soon as it passed she stood right back up and kept motoring along like nothing happened.

They are definitely not racers but do sail comfortably and have enough room to spread out.

Let us know what you decide. Good Luck!!!!!

On Edit: I am not sure what engines the Mk II's came with, but make sure it is the 3 cylinder or better. My 83' had the 2 cylinder universal 5411 that only made about 11 hp and is not well suited for the ocean (very underpowered). My new boat has the M25 universal 21hp and is much better matched for the boat.

[JackMcD111]

send me a note at jackmcdermott1@gmail.com
have had a 30 for 20+ years and will give you some deets.

[Cabo Jim]

If the boat you are looking at is in fact vintage 1999, then I'm pretty sure it is a MK III model. "The Mark III (1994) (walk-thru transom with boarding/swim platform standard though offered as an option on earlier models.)" Your dogs will love the walk through transom and so will your back. Lifting big dogs in and out of a dingy will not be fun without a walk through transom. you can't argue with success, Catalina built 6430 from 1976 to 2008. Excellent starter boat. Do your due diligence and learn all you can about that model year and possible problem areas. I have a 1989 mk II.

[Scrimshaw4]

You can't buy a better starter boat! I had my 30 for 18 years. They make a great coastal cruiser. JMHO

[Hoodsail]

Owned an 1983 Catalina 27 for a number of years. If the 30 is just a larger version of the same, fun to sail. Roomy and economical boats with simple systems on board on which to learn. My 1983 was ideal for coastal cruising with an alcohol stove, so dinners were the incentive to get to our destination port with multiple restaurants.

[Tetepare]

Had my 1990 for 25 years. Holds up well, easy to work on. Parts are available from catalinadirect.com a huge plus.

Bildge is wet, so watch keel bolts on salt boats. You may want to install refrigeration or at least insulate the box.

Roomy, both cockpit and interior. Not a lot of storage.

At that age hatches May leak no big deal easy job.

[Smooth Move]

I have had my 1987 Catalina 30 since brand new. We’ve sailed her all over the Puget Sound , straits of Juan de Fuca and Gulf Islands . It’s a seaworthy boat that has held up well and still going strong . Very spacious , beautiful teak interior and feels like home. It sails well with a 150 Genoa alone when single handed and is a stiff boat with all the sails up.

[David Sandowich]

It seems that all feedback says... yes do it. I add another vote of confidence. I've owned a C 27, C 30 , C 36 and C 42 and if it were just me alone sailing I'd go back to the C 30. It is a solid coastal cruiser. Not perfect but will do you well. Sails and feels bigger then other 30 footer I have been on. As was said .. something must be right when they make over 6000 boats.

[Tjstrain]

Still looking but spreading the scope of miles to search. I have found a nice C30 MK III but it is about 1400 miles away. What is the weight of a dry Cat 30, 10200#’s? I have a diesel 2500 4door 4x4 truck with access to a 38 foot trailer. I have hauled about 11,000 #’s thru the mountains on my trailer before. I also have a welder to construct supports. Oh this C30 MK3 is presently in inside storage now for the winter on its own cradle. Probably would need special wide load permits for the 8 states I’d be traveling through. Your thought’s on this??

[Tjstrain]

Of course I’d love to get a C35, i hate starting small, but there is a giant price leap once you go over the 30’s it seams. I always buy bigger when i start something, a bad habit of mine i find. Should i stick with a C30 and look for it “ loaded” and well taken care of, or a tad longer and not so loaded with options that i could add later? Freakin decisions! I’m researching length’s of 30 - 36 to see what’s out there. I’m hoping to get my grandson’s (2-3-7yrs)interested down the line.

[Cheechako]

1400 is not a long haul. You might check out what it would cost from a boat mover, especially if you can get in on a return trip "haulback" .
Your truck will probably do it. Many haulers use a low boy trailer though. You have to deal with the mast also and it's length.
What is the draft of that Cat 30? For overpasses you cant be over something like 13 feet. Some boats have to remove the pulpits etc. I wonder if the cradle is substantial enough to anchor to the trailer and avoid all that welding and fabricating?

[ontherocks83]

The hardest thing about hauling it is the out of state wide load permits. I'd expect to get pulled over at some point.

As far as smaller with all the options or bigger with less options goes I like to equate it to buying a car. When I look at new cars online I always dream about the highest trim package with all the options, but when I go to buy a car I find myself perfectly happy with something that isn't top of the line.

If you can swing it I'd go with the bigger boat with less stuff. You'll find a lot of the "wants" aren't really "needs" and for the most part more stuff does not equal more fun per mile.