inspecting a Catalina 30

Justin_NSA · Jan 30, 2025

I'm sure C30 owners will contribute. What I have gleaned from previous posts is; watch out for rotten support under the compression post. A depression in the deck around the mast base is a sign - not always. Is it in the water? The "Catalina smile" is another thing to look for. Is the A4 diesel or gas? Diesel is safer. Are you getting it surveyed, I hope?

Project_Mayhem · Jan 30, 2025

On that boat before 94 the most common issues are the Catalina smile, mast compression post block in the bilge and the mast step itself. Look for a depression around the keel bolts. It's an indication that the wood in the keel sump is degrading. There are few if any reports of keels falling off.

A head door that doesnt have an even gap all around can be a sign that the support under the compression post is shot

DArcy · Jan 30, 2025

john6206 said:
I'm a little worried about the 40 year old Atomic 4.

There was a comment about diesel being safer. In theory it is but there are a LOT of boats with gas engines out there that do not spontaneously combust. Atomic 4 engines can be safe and reliable but they are getting old at this point so maintenance is very important. I had a C&C27 with an A4 for many years. I spent a lot of hours on that engine. When I sold the boat, it was 45 years old and the engine ran very well. They have sea water cooling unless converted so they do not last as long in salt water.

The big thing to consider is they are not very efficient. You will get much better range with a diesel on the same volume of fuel.

Project_Mayhem · Jan 30, 2025

john6206 said:
Thanks everyone -

@Justin_NSA - I wouldn't buy a boat without a survey. I know enough to know that I don't know everything.

@ . . . I think several people - the Atomic 4 in the Catalina is a gas engine, yes, I've read plenty about them. The other. boat on the short list has a Volvo Penta 2002 diesel, turns out a lot of people don't like those much either, call them, "The Green Grief." (2002 is a model number - not a year - year is 1989).

I know someone that rebuilt their A4 in their 1968 boat. It's as quiet as a newer car. Very pleasant compared to other engines

Straycat22296 · Jan 30, 2025

I would look at the tanding rigging, running rigging and the sails.
Making a guess the replacement of standing rigging could cost $4000+-, Sails could cast $5000 to $6000*- and running rigging ???
Being a sailboat I would want to be sure the mast does not fall down and I'm not hoisting bed sheets.
Just my 2 cents.

docjlb54 · Friday at 9:49 AM

john6206 said:
Hi Everyone -

Quick background on me: I've been sailing 25 years or so, almost exclusively on trailerable boats. I've bought two sailboats in my life, and built one (11' dinghy), my current ride is a Capri 18.

My wife would like standing headroom, a galley and a head, etc. I am certainly not objecting to her wanting a bigger boat! We have two boats on our current short list. I've been looking at a cruising boat of years . . . more accurately decades, BUT I love sailing my Capri, so if the right boat doesn't present itself, I'm happy walking away.

One of the boats on the current short list is a 1983 Catalina 30 listed on Facebook marketplace in Port Sanilac MI.
Looking at pictures on the internet it appears well cared for and in good shape for its age. It has all the "stuff" we want, dodger, Bimini, cockpit cushions, nice spacious cabin that does not look 40 years old, new-ish sails, nice electronics package, etc, etc.

I'm a little worried about the 40 year old Atomic 4.

It looks like I'd need to modify the galley if we actually wanted to cook (no cooktop - they put a dorm fridge where the range used to be).

I'm going to take a look at it in person next week.
What are some specific "Catalina 30" things should I be looking for?

Thanks in advance,

John

John,
I just inherited a Capri 18 and cannot wait to get it refurbished and on the water. I raced one-design O'Day Daysailer on this same Finger Lake in upstate NY, but this will be my first fixed-keel experience, and my first roller furl setup. I plan to moor it during the season, so plan to get the bottom paint done soon. The foresail is torn and needs replacing. The rudder is beat up and will need either repair or replacement. Wood trim has been neglected, and working rigging should all be replaced, although hardware looks good. Have you any suggestions for resources or direction as I take this on? Are there YouTube videos or repair manuals, through Catalina or otherwise, that might help me reduce my mistakes in this process? I'm pretty sure I love this boat!
Thank you!
Jim
Canandaigua Lake
Middlesex, NY

docjlb54 · Sunday at 4:46 AM

Thanks for the encouragement, John. The lake house has a generous waterfront that will allow for mooring just off our dock. Canandaigua Lake is 16.6 miles long and often has a steady 8-10 knots out of the South. I don't intend to do much trailering, but you never know!

The rudder looks like it hit some immovable object, with the leading edge, chewed up considerably. Maybe salvageable, but.... The tiller is clearly beyond repair. With bottom paint, a new jib/genoa and new lines, the project is considerable but am anxious to get started. I will look for the manual.

dlochner · Sunday at 4:55 AM

docjlb54 said:
John,
I just inherited a Capri 18 and cannot wait to get it refurbished and on the water. I raced one-design O'Day Daysailer on this same Finger Lake in upstate NY, but this will be my first fixed-keel experience, and my first roller furl setup. I plan to moor it during the season, so plan to get the bottom paint done soon. The foresail is torn and needs replacing. The rudder is beat up and will need either repair or replacement. Wood trim has been neglected, and working rigging should all be replaced, although hardware looks good. Have you any suggestions for resources or direction as I take this on? Are there YouTube videos or repair manuals, through Catalina or otherwise, that might help me reduce my mistakes in this process? I'm pretty sure I love this boat!
Thank you!
Jim
Canandaigua Lake
Middlesex, NY

A little thread drift here.

If you are looking to have the sails evaluated, try Bay Sails up in Sodus Point. Tony and Paul used to work for Steve Haarstick and are now on their own. Good guys, know their stuff. Supporting a local business.

Katlynn Marine | Sodus Bay, NY | Marine Storage | Sodus Point, NY | Marine Service | Slip Rentals | Rochester, NY – Bay Sails NY Expands to Katlynn Marine

www.katlynnmarine.com

john6206 said:
I'm a little worried about the 40 year old Atomic 4.

Moyer Marine is the best source of information about the Atomic 4. Lots of them still out there running and Moyer helps to keep them running. Check out their website.

moyermarine

moyermarine.com

docjlb54 · Sunday at 5:01 AM

Thanks for the Bay Sails advice. I see Katlynn Marine mentioned a lot on the internet, and was planning to check them out for bottom paint.

dlochner · Sunday at 5:29 AM

docjlb54 said:
Thanks for the Bay Sails advice. I see Katlynn Marine mentioned a lot on the internet, and was planning to check them out for bottom paint.

For the Finger Lakes, use VC 17. It will work quite well to keep the zebra mussels off. No bottom paint will really keep the algae off, however, with VC 17 it will come off quite easily with a sponge or scrubby.

At the Katlynn Store you'll pay for the convenience of having it right at the marina. Try Defender.com for paint and other items.

docjlb54 · Sunday at 5:47 AM

What should I expect to pay for a bottom paint job for this Capri 18?

dlochner · Sunday at 6:04 AM

The cost of the paint and few brushes and rollers. This is a DIY job. Especially with VC 17.

docjlb54 · Sunday at 6:22 AM

I like it! So for a first timer, I presume that it can be readily done on the trailer, just moving the boat on the trailer to expose the areas missed in the first position, then feathering in, lightly sanding.... Don't let perfection be the enemy of good enough.

dlochner · Sunday at 6:53 AM

This thread has been hijacked long enough, if you have more questions about bottom painting, start a new thread in trailer boats section.

stevenhagberg · 2025-02-10T08:18:27-0800

I had a '77 C30 with a Volvo Penta 2002. Once I figured out the fuel starvation problem was not the engine driven fuel pump or the back-up electric pump or the Racor etc, and that the problem was recurring diesel bugs that clogged up the non-removable pick up tube in the gas tank.....(whew).....it was a very dependable engine. I put 1,000 hours on it in ten years. The only major work was an exhaust elbow. Parts are expensive but not often needed was my experience. I maintained it religiously to avoid expensive repairs.
The A4 will be smoother and quieter. But not as dependable with those extra parts related to having spark plugs. But if both engines have been well maintained, don't be afraid of either one.
Keel bolts
Mast support block. Catalina smile is not a big deal unless it is an indication of crushing bilge.
It's a very nice sailing boat. And camper. I bought a newer one to sail into my 80's.

inspecting a Catalina 30

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Attachments