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scevrog · 17-10-2010, 22:40

My wife and I have been taking sailing for two summers now.

We want to buy a boat for coastal crusing.

We are not interested in crossing oceans, winning races, or anything like that.

However, we are at least potentially interested in coastal crusing from Canada to the Caribean. We may never venture out this far, but would at least like to have a buy a boat that could potentially do this.

We don't have the money for a top quality boat like Island Pacific.

The Catalina's seem to be up our alley for price, comfort and ease of use.

However, are they OK for longer trips hugging the coatline down to the Caribean? I know they are not the best for that, but, are they sufficiently safe and well equipped for that?

Cheers.

rebel heart · 17-10-2010, 23:41

I think they're fine for what you're trying to do, especially if you don't push it in bigger weather.

S/V Illusion · 18-10-2010, 06:42

Absolutely not - these boats are absolute junk!

You'd be better with a Hunter or even a flimsy Beneteau.

By the way, what's an Island Pacific?

Dave the Canuck · 18-10-2010, 06:47

It'd better be. We're planning the same trip in a few years in our Catalina 34.

shipofools · 18-10-2010, 06:50

its not the boat, its the crew . . .

mintyspilot · 18-10-2010, 06:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

Absolutely not - these boats are junk. Buy a Hunter or even a flimsy Beneteau. By the way, what's an Island Pacific?

Bligh! Shackleton!!

S/V Illusion · 18-10-2010, 08:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by mintyspilot

Bligh! Shackleton!!

I've seen this before. Both of them made those trips out of life-threatening necessity, not by choice and both would have quickly chosen any other alternative.

mintyspilot · 18-10-2010, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

I've seen this before. Both of them made those trips out of life-threatening necessity, not by choice and both would have quickly chosen any other alternative.

Indeed, but that's not the point.

The point is this.....if two master mariners can manage the ocean in row boats then I would like to think that a sailor of even moderate ability could manage even better in a modern boat, no matter what the boat is.

**GordMay** · 18-10-2010, 11:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

... By the way, what's an Island Pacific?

It's a combination Island Packet & Pacific Seacraft.

FSmith · 18-10-2010, 18:22

I delivered a c320 from boston to fla. last year and was surprised how solid it felt. That being said, it wouldn't be my choice for what you have planned.

Pierremundo · 19-10-2010, 12:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by FSmith

That being said, it wouldn't be my choice for what you have planned.

Why not for you?

What are the pros and cons?

FSmith · 19-10-2010, 17:44

Pros:
Nice layout with aft head, needed that in bad weather for wet foulies.
felt like a solid boat with no creaking in a seaway and no gel coat stress cracks.
large galley as I recall.

cons:
no meaningful fuel tankage. not real good when cruising.
there is no large main bilge but small shallow compartments due to the way the boat is built with a grid system.
small anchor locker on deck. Not sure what you would do with multiple anchors on the bow and all the necessary chain and a windlass.
little squirly sailing down wind in a seaway.
very large cockpit

I think it is a good short term coastal cruiser but I wouldn't want to go off for long term, long distances. Only my opinion.

Jimbo2010 · 19-10-2010, 18:00

coastal cruiser, period

**boatman61** · 19-10-2010, 18:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbo2010

coastal cruiser, period

That'll suit em jest fine then... down the ICW... then a daysail across to the Bahamas and Island hop the rest of the way there n back... near enough every day a daysail....