What are the normal areas needing attention on a Catalina 30 from the 80's? What's easily fixable and what's an absolute warning sign to stay clear?
Is there anything that might be nice to have while off shore cruising that isn't needed for sailing up here on the lake? I don't want to pay for something I won't be using on the lake?
I've also been looking into the C30 for my next boat. Here are a few items to look out for based on my research:
- Catalina's have keel issues. You'll want to check for a crack or line where the keel meets the hull. You should also look at the keel bolts in the bilge. Newer models will have stainless bolts that almost always look perfect but it's what you can't see that can be worry some. You should also look at any indentations around the bolts in the fiberglass of the bilge. It could be an issue. There seems to be a lot of debate about severity and when this needs to be addressed. I've seen multiple people state that it's a $5000 job to have a yard do it correctly and less than $1000 if you do the labor yourself
- Look at the fiberglass around the mast. It should not be sunken in. If it is, then it means that either the mast step (wood inside the cabin top) has rotted or the block below the compression post needs to be repaired
- From what I've read, an uneven gap around the door for the head can indicate that the area below the compression post needs to be repaired
- Some of the steering hardware was manufactured using conduit and can bend
- Water intrusion in the rudder seems to be fairly common
- The wiring for the amp meter on the Universal diesel engines is sub par and should be replaced. See this article for details
The C30 was built to be serviced by boat owners and it appears that this is true. There are other issues that all old boats are prone to but this is what I've found to be specific to the C30
Mayhem's list is pretty good. He covers most of the issues found in early and mid 80s C30s.
You can avoid most, if not all, of the issues he identifies by looking for a 89 or newer boat Mark II model (MkII). By 89 Catalina has implemented changes to correct the issues.
If you're a DIY'r and don't mind tackling fiberglass and electrical projects, selecting an early to mid 80s can be a good choice but money put into to the purchase price instead of repairs will normally get you on the water faster.
The MkII also can bring a T shaped Cockpit, a bit nicer interior and walk thru transom as well as a M25XP 23Hp diesel, although that may not be a big benefit on a lake.
His last point, that C30s were built to be serviced by owners. I agree. The engine is located under the galley sink cabinet. You can easily access it and the stuffing box for maintenance and service.
The C30 is a much bigger boat than the C27, not only in length but cabin space, cockpit size and deck space. In New Jersey it is standard to slip sailboats bow in which means you have to walk the side decks to reach the cockpit and enter the cabin. I have a friend with a C27 and found the side deck much more difficult to maneuver.
This is a consideration if your spending several days at a time on your boat in a slip and you are on and off the boat several times a day.
The cabin space is great for two people. We've turned out dinette area into a full size bed set up full time. We can sleep comfortably, have plenty of room to sit around and relax, galley is plenty big. Sleeping in the V-Berth or Qtr Berth can be done but we're both 6' and that isn't happening so both are storage areas.
The cockpit size if big enough to entertain 6, room for 4 to stretch out a bit and 2 to be really comfortable.
These are features you should check on other boats you are considering.
On this site there is a Catalina 30 sub forum. It's worth looking through it for C30 specific info. As
@Stu Jackson and others pointed out, the C30 Association forum is worth checking out.
Regards,
Ward
