C30 MkII vs. MkIII

[joebeach]

Looking at a couple of C30s for daysailing and coastal cruising in western FL.

One is a '89 TRBS/WK. Structurally sound, systems working, not fancy but clean. Lines back to cockpit, ST winches. Air draft 49' (so I'm told). Lacks a swim platform, which we'd want to add.

The other is a '00 TR/WK. Newer boat with integral swim scoop/platform. Also appears to be sound & clean, and has more stuff/creature comforts, as newer boats do.

Asking price for #1 is about half that of #2, but both are within budget. I realize the condition of individual older boats is huge, but both look good to my eye, and I'll get a pre-purchase survey regardless.

I'm looking for informed opinions about the salient differences between these models of C30, preferably from owners/POs and others with sailing experience on one or both. Assume regular maintenance, but no major refits of either boat from stock.

Also - if you've added a swim platform to an older C30 or a comparable boat without a walk-through transom, I'd like to hear about that too.

Thanks!

 

[JohnVTX]

The 89 is an MKII, not I. Difference is T shaped cockpit to better accommodate the wheel steering. Just sayin.

Know nothing about the III's. My MKI is a great boat, but under-powered diesel for the ocean. the II has double the HP 49 feet is correct on the tall rig. I would go with the walk thru if it is in your budget.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Joe,

At first I was confused about "49' air draft". Simply put, it's the height of the mast AWL.
Both boats look to have potential however as a potential buyer,
to make the best choice can cost you upfront money in the way of a surveyor/haulout yard.

I sail out of Mad Beach so, depending on where you berth, draft can also make a difference.
Know your area's constraints before you know what boat to buy.

Bill Brown (I like to refer to him as, All day Brown" is a great surveyor to use).
What type keel/draft, etc. does it have? I do know Catalina had a short run of wing keels.
My friend's boat is a Newport 30 with a wing.

Having sailed wing keeled boats, I myself, would much rather have a winged keel.......

Good Hunting Pal.

CR

 

[joebeach]

John VTX - yes, the '89 is a MarkII; sorry for the typo. Made the change in the thread title. Thanks for noticing, lol.

captnron - each boat has the wing keel (WK), which I believe became the C30 standard keel from '88 or so. Both boats are within a couple of hours of me, and I intend to get the survey from a SAMS'r local to the boat to avoid driving time charges and to maximize his/her chances of being familiar with a good local yard for haul-out. Will keep Bill Brown in mind.

You're in Mad Beach? I'm just down the road. We'll have to swap lies over a libation or 3....

Joe

 

[ChrisCall]

Hi
Joe I have an 89 Catalina 30 with a wing keel it's a great boat and I would buy it again in a heartbeat. Yes I would love the walk through transom but not having it doesn't effect my sailing sailing experience. Whichever one that was in better shape . Any question feel free to ask .

 

[Jackdaw]

OK. Now I know this is about Catalinas. Never mind.

Early C&Cs had TERRIBLE space utilization. I had a 34 and it seem no bigger than the 29. The C&C 30 mk1 is a great sailing boat but little room downstairs

The mk2 is more modern looking, and has better use of space. Like an aft cabin, which the mk1 totally lacks.

 

[DaveJ]

Ah, I think it's a Catalina 30.....

 

[Jackdaw]

Ah, I think it's a Catalina 30.....

WOW! Did I just image I read C&C in here somewhere??? Thx for the heads-up.

 

[SFS]

@Jackdaw - there is a guy considering taking a free 1979 C&C, you posted in that thread too

 

[Bob S]

The Catalina 30 is a great boat, they wouldn't have produced 6000+ hulls if it weren't. I went through the same decisions when we bought ours 8 years ago. I went with the MkIII because I have a special needs son and thought the walk through transom would make swimming easier. I also loved the idea of a transom shower. I think Catalina listens to their customers and incorporates improvements in each new production run. This was our first boat and I wasn't sure how my wife was going to like it. It was the best decision I could have made. We anchor out a lot and dinghy ashore. The walk through transom makes entering the boat from the dinghy so much easier. I also have a 2 hp. Outboard I keep on the push pit that I can easily carry on and off the dinghy. It also made it easier on my wife who has come to enjoy our adventures. Either way I don't think you can go wrong.
Good luck

 

[Harleyreef]

I have an '88 tall rig with the winged keel and love it, however I would definitely prefer the walk through if I had the option for the reasons stated above.
By the way, the air draft is 48' on the tall rig. I just squeezed under the (2) 50' bridges on the intracoastal between Pensacola and Ft. Walton. I got under them at 49' on the guages with significant pucker factor involved. Had to wait on the tide for the second bridge

 

[mortyd]

by far, the most hardest part of getting someone overboard back on the boat is obviated with a walk through stern.

 

[Damifudo]

20160306_164305

• Damifudo
• Mar 8, 2016

Here is a picture of a Mark II with a swim platform. Feel free to ask me any questions about it you want. I love it and it has many advantages . It has never been a issue in sailing.

 

[Damifudo]

Are both boats tall rigs? My boat is a TR and I have sailed right past Catalina 30s that are not Tall Rigs and my sails are old. The other question I would ask if either has AC. Mine had it and I looked at a few boats that did not. I really didn't care about AC but I cant imagine not having it now because when others say it is too hot to go sailing, I am not that person. It is not the heat when your out sailing its when you are at the dock after coming in and before going out that the boat is a sweat box. My swim platform works at a dingy davit too if your going to go for overnights its really nice to have a dingy with you.

 

[mortyd]

there i something else about open sterns. for those of us who have a curse called winter, the ladder and walk through make access while the boat is on jackstands, or whatever, so much easier.