Catalina 30 tall rig

[Arsydian]

Hello, ahoy, hi. I am new to the forum. Looking at a 1987 30' tall rig catalina, would love some feed back on this boat. My objective is to tour the great lakes with a little single handed sailing and racing mixed in and to gain as much experience as I posibly can.
Ultimately I would like to move to a off shore capable boat. For the time being and the money this seems like a reasonable option.
Any feed back is welcomed and appreciated.
Thanks

[Tetepare]

What do you want to know? I’ve owned my 1990 since 1994.

It will take more of a beating than you will. Hatches and stanchions probably need rebedding. Keep a spare impeller and belt. Icebox could use added insulation. New style 5lb propane tank won’t fit in 1987 gas locker. Anchor locker and pedestal drains clog easily. Otherwise simple maintenance.

You will need metric and inch tools. Boat inch, engine metric. Mostly.

Large cabin, good galley, storage less than I’d like. Excellent engine access. Very liveable for a few months.

Look for rotted mast step before purchase.

[Tetepare]

I meant bottom of compression post. But check the mast step area for compression as well

[Stu Jackson]

You may conside4r also asking at www.sailboatowners.com. There are most likely more C30 owners there than here. Also International Catalina 30 Association, and I understand they have new wiki.
What engine? 1987 may have the same M25 I do. If so:


Engines 101 - The BIGGEST & BEST collection of M25 Series Universal Engine Information on the Internet, plus some M35, too

Diesel Engine - c34.org


Good luck.

[Jaqun]

Great thing about a Catalina 30 is the great owners group that that is full of great information and the fact that there are so many boats out there that there is a huge market of used parts and re manufactured parts for everything.
Great first big boat.

[01kiwijohn]

Assuming it's a solid example, these are a great coastal cruising boat, as evidenced by the number out there and the length of time they've been produced.
They've got their detractors but, don't let those "bar stool admirals" affect your judgement. For what you want to do, it will serve you well and you'll have a lot of fun.

[ferrailleur]

I have a 1985 Catalina 27 with the plywood insert between fiberglass and keel. I heard the the Catalina 30 are more prone to the "Catalina smile".
Any comment?

[Cheechako]

They are good small boats, roomier than many at 30 ft and resell well. Not much to not like for a production boat. Beware of the Catalina "smile" when you inspect the boat though. (Google is your friend) They are not heavily built, if the keel hits things, as they often do, the hull behind the keel flexes up, the hull in front flexes down. This can lead to cracking in those places which exhibits itself as a "smile".

[David Sandowich]

Former owner of an "85 C 30 tall rig. All the above is solid advice. For what your sailing needs seem to be at this time and $$ constraints you can't go wrong. Perfect first boat...has a " big " boat feel. As mentioned beware of any of the typical issues that can show up on any 30 plus year old boat. I had to deal with a blistering issue after I purchased but with that behind me she was a pleasure to sail and cruise. They would not have made so many if the market didn't approve.
Enjoy.. go for it

[gmakhs]

The problem is that they have been with coastal sailing in mind and not offshore , this means that they are not as strong as people want to believe they are .
They are not designed well ( rot on compression post because of design fault )
The rest of the design is not well thought , I compare my 1984 model to Catalina's and I can see a lot of design on boat - sails handling and seaworthiness, even newer Catalina's have similar design to Bavaria's of 1990 era , and Bavaria where never designed to be good boats .

If the boat is under 5000 go for it , if it costs more really it doesn't worth the money and hasle.

I almost of people disagree with me , and a lot love them but the truth is that doesn't matter how small your boat is it must always be ready to have flexibility the worst seas even if shelter is one nobody guarantee that you will be able to reach it , so from.fhe moment a boat is considered only coastal cruiser is worthless to me .
P.S if a boat doesn't feel safe on f5 to f6 what does it really worth ?

[ferrailleur]

Watch for the blistering problem in the 80's Catalina....
My 85 Catalina 27 being "unblistered" by me after the surveyor said it's OK.... all the blisters were only apparent after soda blasting....
I'll never pay for surveyor again!

[Chuck34]

I used to have a 1977, C30 back in the 90's. Mine was very basic, even had a tiller instead of a wheel. For what you are looking for, great boat.
Then went to a couple powerboats and then had a C34 from 2011-18.
As mentioned above, the various Catalina owners websites are a great resource.

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by gmakhs

The problem is that they have been with coastal sailing in mind and not offshore , this means that they are not as strong as people want to believe they are .
They are not designed well ( rot on compression post because of design fault )
The rest of the design is not well thought , I compare my 1984 model to Catalina's and I can see a lot of design on boat - sails handling and seaworthiness, even newer Catalina's have similar design to Bavaria's of 1990 era , and Bavaria where never designed to be good boats .

If the boat is under 5000 go for it , if it costs more really it doesn't worth the money and hasle.

I almost of people disagree with me , and a lot love them but the truth is that doesn't matter how small your boat is it must always be ready to have flexibility the worst seas even if shelter is one nobody guarantee that you will be able to reach it , so from.fhe moment a boat is considered only coastal cruiser is worthless to me .
P.S if a boat doesn't feel safe on f5 to f6 what does it really worth ?

It’s worth $20,000 and reading comprehension. He wants a cheap coastal cruiser not an Oyster. I’ve done F6 in a Hobie 16, what’s the point?

I used to race BMWs. I love BMWs. We have BMWs. We just bought an Acura because we want something simple, easy and reliable. It has to start, not cost $250 for a rotor, and do 120kph not 270kph. Not everything has to perform to such measures.

Let him buy the bloody Catalina and give him advice FFS.

[Arsydian]

Thank you for that. I looked at this boat on saturday appears to be in very good condition. It has CNG in lieu of propane, I have no idea if that is inconveinient or not. No spinnakar, or spinnaker gear, universal 25 m-25xp 3 cyl engine. Sails seem in good shape. They are asking 18K. Thoughts ?

Thanks for the time.

[Scrimshaw4]

There was a problem with the wiring harness in the Catalina 30's of that vintage. The harness connection from the cockpit instrument panel connected to the engine in the bilge. This resulted in contact corrosion. Catalina came out with a retrofit harness from a third party vendor (not a recall). Check with them if you have any problems in this area. Otherwise a great boat, I had one, 1980 -98, for 18 years and we loved it.