1984 Catalina 30 MK II Tall Rig

sail sfbay · Mar 10, 2022

You might find this thread on the same subject helpful: Tall Rig vs. Standard Rig | Sailboat Owners Forums

jeepbluetj · Mar 10, 2022

I'd say of the available power in the early C-30's, the M25 is the winner over the A4 and the 11 hp universal, and IIRC a rare tiny Yanmar.

The M25 was used in a lot of Catalinas. Plenty of info on the C-34 org site.

dwcory · Mar 10, 2022

I have an '85 Catalina 30 Tall Rig with the fin keel. She sails really well. The tall rig is known more as the sailors Catalina 30. We love it. Comfortable, sails well, handles pretty big weather fine. The M25 is sufficient, definitely not too much. There was one time pointing directly into about 25kts of wind and 4+ foot seas that we were only making about 1.5kts forward motion. We decided to bail out and go somewhere in a different direction. But that's really the only time I've wished for more power from the engine. One thing I LOVE about the Catalina 30 is the owner community. There are several FB groups and a listserve dedicated to the boat. Since there were so many made, and so many still sailing, that's been a fantastic resource.

CurtisC · Mar 10, 2022

I have a '84 MK I Cat 30 tall rig/ bow sprit/ fin keel with the M25 and run a R/F 135 Genoa on a lake. Yes, better in light - medium air (I reef the main around 20). While certainly not the fastest 30 ft design, she sails well to weather as well as off the wind and has a ton of room and head room down below. The Universal M25 is a good match, and so far, I've found it to be very reliable (I also have a Kubota tractor with essentially the same engine with close to 850 hrs and no issues). Great boat for inland and coastal cruising and club racing. I wish I had the walkout transom but otherwise a happy owner. You can also poke around Catalina30@groups.io for more insight

Kingjim91 · Mar 10, 2022

You’re right about the minor performance differences between a TR and SR. Neither option would lessen your enjoyment of a great boat.
I have an ‘82 TR. For the first few years I thought it was overpowered above about 20 knots, with excess healing and hard to keep balanced. But after I figured out how to rig for reefing, there was a big difference. Now I reef over 15 knots or so, and the boat is very stable. I can adjust power with the furling jib.
In light air, it points very well, so I can make good headway.

I don’t know anything about the M25. I’m “Wind and Atomic Powered.”

Justin_NSA · Mar 11, 2022

I know very little about Catalinas. Does this vintage have the wooden mast support everyone has to check? Just putting that out there. My Hunter is a "tall rig". I seldom reef the main. And we have wind in Oz! The traveller helps.

jeepbluetj · Mar 11, 2022

The "T" shaped cockpit is a sure sign of the MK II. If it's not a T shape it's a MK I. A 1984 _should_ be a MK I as you are correct the MK II's started in 86.

Serial number plate is located center transom, down from the stern light. IIRC, the early 30's only listed the hull serial number (like 1631, the 1631'th one built). The HIN is generally available from the registration. The HIN looks like: CTYN1631M80A

mikeracca · Mar 11, 2022

shanker said:
OK, dumb question...what would a T cockpit look like...is the top of the T a seat across theength of the transom?

The T cockpit has the walkway looking like the letter T. there is a bench behind the helm and the area beside the helm is open and the side seats start just forward of the helm post. This made walking around the wheel much easier.

jeepbluetj · Mar 11, 2022

Pic of a C-30 T cockpit stolen from the internet:

A MKI would have the two side seats going all the way back to the rear.

Chris Blubaugh01 · Mar 14, 2022

shanker said:
the one I'm looking at is an 84 but it's listed as a MK II. sounds like an identical set up to yours UT does not have the T design in the cockpit so I'm thinking it's not a MK II rather a I as yours is.

Then you should investigate the Catalina smile and the problems with rot in the plywood in the keel areas. Has PO done any repairs in this area? Could increase your costs if not already done.

NoAgenda · Mar 15, 2022

We had a C30 TR until last year when a C400 came up for sale that I couldn't pass up. The disadvantage of the TR is it has to be reefed sooner that the SR. With an '84 check the mast compression post in the bilge. Older C30 this block would rot. Also check the keel bolt area. Older boats had a plywood floor in the bilge that would rot causing the Catalina smile. I put a 3 blade Gori prop on for motoring up rivers and into wind and waves. The 3 blade moved the boat fast enough to bury the bow into waves if I wanted.

ontherocks83 · Mar 16, 2022

1984 is a MK I, I have the exact same boat. Tall rig, "deep keel", with a M25. I had the 140 genoa and had it cut down to a 115. With the 140 I found myself reefing to weather at anything over 16ish knots, with the 115 I can push it much closer to 20kts. With that being said I(and my wife especially) do not like heeling much past 20-25degrees. I find heeling further than that slows us down and becomes uncomfortable.

I did an extensive full refit on mine 2+ years ago and know the boat pretty well. PM me if you have any specific questions. I know I have posts on the forum that cover some of my refit, I will have to find them when I get the chance.

SSchneck · Jun 28, 2022

shanker said:
Thank you for the input. Where on the boat would I find its name plate? All the documentation I can find on line states that the MKII was first built in 86. the one I'm looking at states it's an 84? can that be?

Mine is an 84 as well. Not a MKII at all but it has wheel steering. Handles great, fun to sail, comfortable.

1984 Catalina 30 MK II Tall Rig

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