6-pack Charter Looking for More Capacity (Catalina 30) - USCG Inspected Vessel Requirements

[Sail Savannah]

I run a 6-pack sailing charter on a Catalina 30. For a 6-pack, the CG doesn't require any inspections of your boat, just some standard safety equipment. But I've been getting a ton of requests for groups of 10 lately. I'm confident I could comfortably fit them, but to get the boat a Certificate of Inspection I have to jump through untold hoops and regulations. After talking with the local CG inspector, the best way to do it is to find a comparable boat that already has the Certificate and get approved by similarity.

Does anybody know of a Catalina 30 (or really any 30-ish' monohull) that's running charters (legally) for more than 6 guests?

 

[dlochner]

I run a 6-pack sailing charter on a Catalina 30. For a 6-pack, the CG doesn't require any inspections of your boat, just some standard safety equipment. But I've been getting a ton of requests for groups of 10 lately. I'm confident I could comfortably fit them, but to get the boat a Certificate of Inspection I have to jump through untold hoops and regulations. After talking with the local CG inspector, the best way to do it is to find a comparable boat that already has the Certificate and get approved by similarity.

Does anybody know of a Catalina 30 (or really any 30-ish' monohull) that's running charters (legally) for more than 6 guests?

Good luck.

I am currently involved with the certification of a small passenger vessel to be used for sail training. The USCG regulations are tight and getting tighter. Every time there is an accident the regulations are revised and tightened. You will need to deal with both your license and the boat.

Before you buy the boat you will need to upgrade your USCG license to a 100 ton Masters with a sailing and nearshore endorsement.

The USCG certification for the vessel you want is a Small Passenger under 29 passengers. There are very specific build and equipment requirements. A 30 foot production sailboat will probably not meet those requirements.

 

[DougM]

You have got to be kidding! There is no way I would even consider putting 6 people on a 30 foot boat with a cockpit the size of a Catalina 30, let alone 10.

 

[sailme88]

My boat is slightly larger.. Ive had 8 (eight) guests aboard to motor only to an island restaurant. I can emphatically state that this load changed the handling characteristics of the boat. The CG now assumes close to 200lbs per adult. That would be a ton plus you.
It would be interesting to hear what your insurance carrier has to say about your plan....

 

[Sailfanatic]

I ditto that considering ten passengers on a Cat 30 is nutty, frankly its a pretty poor platform for even six. But nonetheless, there are not likely to be any 30-ish production sailboats designed and built to meet the requirements of "Small Passenger under 29 passengers".
So the small sailboats operating as inspected vessels are either one-offs or custom mods.

For example:
About - Come Sail Away Now (this is 30')

Sightsailer | Sightsailing of Newport

Sail aboard Sightsailer, our 46' foot sloop. Specifically design to sail guests in comfort, she is fast and fun. Book a private charter for 13 guests, perfect for bachelorette parties, celebrating a special occasion, or just getting your friends on the water. Individual tickets for daily sailing...

sightsailing.com

https://www.cheerscharters.com/?sfw=pass1618596554

I would think the best way to get into business running an inspected vessel is to buy one that already has the designation.

 

[Roland5048]

You have got to be kidding! There is no way I would even consider putting 6 people on a 30 foot boat with a cockpit the size of a Catalina 30, let alone 10.

We had a Cat 30 in the fleet of the charter company I work with. Actually, I thought the cockpit was quite large for a 30 footer compared to my '77 h30. It had two stern seats, also. My experience is that it was not too crowed with 6 passengers as most would opt to sit on the bow, cabin top, or the stern seats. Under calm seas this was not a problem as it freed up the cockpit area so I could actually trim sails and tend to the sailing. If it really started to blow, people would come back to the cockpit but by then we were heading in.

Does anybody know of a Catalina 30 (or really any 30-ish' monohull) that's running charters (legally) for more than 6 guests?

As been mentioned above, that is going to be almost impossible if not outright expensive and you will still have a 30 footer. Best to look for something bigger that is already inspected for more than six people.