Tell Me About Your Catalina 27

[KateJoy]

l just bought a Catalina 27, and everyone has been telling me about their's, l would love to hear about yours. Where have you taken them?

[Ex-Calif]

Kate - Congratulations on the boat purchase. Well done!

I never owned a Cat 27 but have rented them and sailed them. I don't thik my comments on a rental boat with undersized fragged out sails would be helpful. I do like the boat however and would definitely be proud to own one.

[Squeaks]

My buddy here at Channel Is Harbor has one and is very enthusiastic about setting it up for long-range cruising. Also, Lisa and I buddy-boated with a couple aboard a Catalina 27 on their way to doing the Baja Ha Ha and they are really enjoying the, new to them, cruising lifestyle Baja. You might check out a chapter in John Vigor's book "Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat: A Guide to Essential Features, Handling, and Gear" on modifying a Catalina 27.

[KateJoy]

Thank you!

[michaelmrc]

katejoy i have a 1980 catalina 27 i purchased a couple of years ago. old school style meaning no furler no dodger the previous owner had just installed a brand new yanmar diesel but the boat was in need of some tlc, since owning it i have completely rewired the boat ac/dc installed new panels all new electronics chartplotter vhf etc.. i just finished stripping the boat painting the entire inside (could have painted a whole house for how long it took) redoing all the interior woodwork and new foam and upholstery. im very happy with my boat she sails well runs great and looks pretty good too i might add. but like all boats there is still more to do on my list.

[michaelmrc]

here are a couple of pics of the interior work ive been doing.

[pjop]

My last boat was a Catalina 27. I was so proud of her after leaving her in a canal on the East side of Bay St. Louis during Katrina. That's only a few miles from landfall of eye and on the bad side, I should add. Expecting to sea her in the trees or her mast sticking out of the water, I found her floating gently where I left her and without a drop of water in the cabin. She was one of three that made it out of a dozen. Of course, in that situation, luck played a role. Nonetheless, it says a lot about the boat to me. Only reason I don't own her now is that I couldn't pass up an oppotunity for more water line length and my buddy had been after me to sell the boat to him for quite a while. You've got a great boat. Sailed her Destin from Mobile on the outside and she did fantastic, albiet she got a bit small after a couple of weeks for the two of us. Oh and quite impressive michaelmrc.

[Feral Cement]

The Catalina 27 is one of the most popular sailboats EVER, and for good reason. It is well designed, well-built, and makes good compromises. Few would try to go far offshore in one, but island hopping is possible with prep and a flexible schedule.

And speaking of which, does anyone have a spare thru-deck shroud bolt from a Catalina 27? One of mine broke while I was removing deck hardware for painting. Threads twisted off below shaft. Here's a pic:

[s/v Beth]

Catalina sells an upgrade because these boats often broke. See the Catalina store....

[Feral Cement]

Newt --

What I'm hearing is that the bolts can pull through the deck, and that it is extremely rare for them to break under load. Mine was fine until I wrung it off upon removal. Larger backing plates are probably a good idea. And take good care of that deck!

What other weak spots are commonly found in C27's? I remember something about spreaders.

Also, some good deck pics to show "factory" layout of winches, cleats, cams, blocks, etc. would be very helpful.

Thanks,

John

[sneuman]

they are responsive, well-designed boats that can eat up a PHRF course. Never owned one, but I would consider them among the top picks for a first or second boat.

[michaelmrc]

They are very responsive especially the tiller model
They sail well handle the seas
Quite well for a light displacemt boat
Last weekend I was anchored out in montegue
Sunday we went through active pass

Out into the strait making our way back to porlier pass
Wind was blowing 20-25 with heavy seas 6-10th swells on the nose but my Catalina and I faired very well. My daughter on the other hand not so well.
Patrick Childress solo circumnaved the cat 27 juggernaut with only a handful of modifications. Are they a bluewater offshore boat no can they do it apparently.

[AHoy]

Originally Posted by Feral Cement

Newt --

What other weak spots are commonly found in C27's? I remember something about spreaders.

Also, some good deck pics to show "factory" layout of winches, cleats, cams, blocks, etc. would be very helpful.

Thanks,

John

I purchased a late 70's C27 this spring. It is my first boat and so far I have been very happy with my choice. I did discover when stepping the mast that both spreader brackets were cracked. I ordered the stainless replacement kit from Catalina direct. I also plan on updating all the older gate valves to seacocks this winter.

I second the request for photos of the "factory" deck layout.

[lokas0506]

hey guys what about her going out on big seas

[Feral Cement]

lokas - I would not purposely take any 27 foot boat out in heavy seas. Big swells are no problem, but when they start breaking, so does everything else. ALWAYS watch the weather, and have a Plan B for when Plan A doesn't seem so workable.

AHoy - Yeah, it was the spreader sockets - thanks for the use of brain cells.

Now, check out THIS C-27:

The Ultimate Catalina 27

John