Hello, great forum! I am from Puerto Rico and looking at a Cat 30 at a great price, a little concerned about weather, I understand its rated "coastal cruising" and almost everybody thinks that in the caribbean its all coastal cruising because you always see an Island in sight. sailing to the BVI's from PR its a good 12 to 14 hours all or mostly upwind, I have seen 14 ft seas more than I can remember, my last trip (was a powerboat) we were in bean seas to port (12 ft) for 6 hours, not to mention the following seas coming down, I have heard a lot of Cat 30 in weather and being ok, and other seems to think it should not be done! jejej I understand it also has to do with the skipper ability. i just dont want to buy a boat for little sailing, I have pretty much 4 days a week I could go and very often go to Tortola, Nanny Cay Marina for a week, should I be ok in this vessel and upgrade all systems or should I be looking for a diff vessel, Thanks all in advance for a great forum Danny H PR
Cat 30 opinion......
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Great Coastal Cruiser.....But
Danny. I have an '88 model and before purchasing it we were considering a vessel that would give us good intracoastal waterway and some outside open ocean reliability. For us the Catalina 30 with its shoal draft, interior space and amenities is perfect. BUT, if you read some of the evaluations/opinions over the years by noted surveyors, several feel that the 30 was not designed for long ocean passages or designed and built to endure extreme open water conditions. Although you hear of heroic transatlantic passages on similar light vessels, the skill of the sailor with a Cat 30 is whats important. To me, when I inspect how winches, deck hardware and other fittings are secured on the 30 without backing plates (washers), and that the mast is stepped on deck and chainplates are inboard and attached to teak components, I have to wonder if this vessel really can perform in very rough conditions for extended periods. These may be conditions you may encounter. Not to bring on the wrath from fellow owners who's accounts in open water conditions may be just fine, I reserve my opinion only as a single owner presently sailing in an Army Corps of Engineers impounded Georgia lake! Talk about tough!!! Maybe those who have had open water, passage making experiences can chime in and advise you better. Bob
Danny. I have an '88 model and before purchasing it we were considering a vessel that would give us good intracoastal waterway and some outside open ocean reliability. For us the Catalina 30 with its shoal draft, interior space and amenities is perfect. BUT, if you read some of the evaluations/opinions over the years by noted surveyors, several feel that the 30 was not designed for long ocean passages or designed and built to endure extreme open water conditions. Although you hear of heroic transatlantic passages on similar light vessels, the skill of the sailor with a Cat 30 is whats important. To me, when I inspect how winches, deck hardware and other fittings are secured on the 30 without backing plates (washers), and that the mast is stepped on deck and chainplates are inboard and attached to teak components, I have to wonder if this vessel really can perform in very rough conditions for extended periods. These may be conditions you may encounter. Not to bring on the wrath from fellow owners who's accounts in open water conditions may be just fine, I reserve my opinion only as a single owner presently sailing in an Army Corps of Engineers impounded Georgia lake! Talk about tough!!! Maybe those who have had open water, passage making experiences can chime in and advise you better. Bob
Go to the Catalina 30 (midsize boats) forum
I failed to mention that you should ask owners of the 30 in the Catalina forum (mid-size boat category) for opinions on this vessel. Bob
I failed to mention that you should ask owners of the 30 in the Catalina forum (mid-size boat category) for opinions on this vessel. Bob
PR sailing
Hi, I too am a sailor from PR, we have a Beneteau first 32, 1983. I saw the add for the Catalina 30 and is a great deal for the price. Here in PR is very easy to sail to BVI, never compare your experience with a powerboat. But keep in mind if you are planning to go to BVI plan your trip for 2 days, first day 6 hour sail to Culebra and the next day 6 hour sail to St. Thomas, and 4-5 more to Tortola. Our seas rarely goes to 12 foot of waves, regular bad weather goes from 5-7 foot and with winds up to 25knt. The important thing is your ability to sail in heavy weather on a small boat and this include knowing when to reef. Jose Pla PR
Hi, I too am a sailor from PR, we have a Beneteau first 32, 1983. I saw the add for the Catalina 30 and is a great deal for the price. Here in PR is very easy to sail to BVI, never compare your experience with a powerboat. But keep in mind if you are planning to go to BVI plan your trip for 2 days, first day 6 hour sail to Culebra and the next day 6 hour sail to St. Thomas, and 4-5 more to Tortola. Our seas rarely goes to 12 foot of waves, regular bad weather goes from 5-7 foot and with winds up to 25knt. The important thing is your ability to sail in heavy weather on a small boat and this include knowing when to reef. Jose Pla PR
catalina 30
i suggest you call catalina and ask them, i'll bet they give you an honest opinion. as a fairly recent buyer of a '91mkii, i'll also suggest being wary of extreme bargains - with 7000 30's made, there's a very active market and no compelling reason to sell a boat at a very low price.
i suggest you call catalina and ask them, i'll bet they give you an honest opinion. as a fairly recent buyer of a '91mkii, i'll also suggest being wary of extreme bargains - with 7000 30's made, there's a very active market and no compelling reason to sell a boat at a very low price.
Owner Reviews
Hi Danny - The Catalina 30 has been and continues to be a very popular boat, and for good reason. From your description, it appears you will likely encounter "offshore" type conditions with some regularity, but not extended periods of bashing (i.e. several weeks continuously). Although this boat was not designed to take a pounding for weeks on end, it is certainly a seaworthy boat - if you have the opportunity to check the rigging and bulkheads (bulkheads are not glassed in) in the safety of port on occasion, I would think the boat should be suitable for your intended purpose. Of course I'd recommend a thorough survey prior to purchase to ascertain the condition and maintenance history. Check out the many owner reviews on this site (link below). Have fun! Trevor
Hi Danny - The Catalina 30 has been and continues to be a very popular boat, and for good reason. From your description, it appears you will likely encounter "offshore" type conditions with some regularity, but not extended periods of bashing (i.e. several weeks continuously). Although this boat was not designed to take a pounding for weeks on end, it is certainly a seaworthy boat - if you have the opportunity to check the rigging and bulkheads (bulkheads are not glassed in) in the safety of port on occasion, I would think the boat should be suitable for your intended purpose. Of course I'd recommend a thorough survey prior to purchase to ascertain the condition and maintenance history. Check out the many owner reviews on this site (link below). Have fun! Trevor
I am green with envy.......
prflyer & Jrpla Men you are killing me......... I wish I was there sailing Fajardo, Culebra and beyond. It won't be long may be a year or two or three. I have my 46 ft sailboat near Annaopils and I will take her home with me to Puerto Rico when I retire so if you are interested in helping me bring her home send me an email to reveldecoqui@netscape.net. I plan to do the ICW to FLa, jumpt to the Bahamas, Turk and Caicos, Dominican Republic, Boqueron and finally to Ponce or Salinas. I would like to have some local knowledge with me when we arrive at the different destinations. Have either of you sail to the Dominican Republic and back. Coqui Revelde
prflyer & Jrpla Men you are killing me......... I wish I was there sailing Fajardo, Culebra and beyond. It won't be long may be a year or two or three. I have my 46 ft sailboat near Annaopils and I will take her home with me to Puerto Rico when I retire so if you are interested in helping me bring her home send me an email to reveldecoqui@netscape.net. I plan to do the ICW to FLa, jumpt to the Bahamas, Turk and Caicos, Dominican Republic, Boqueron and finally to Ponce or Salinas. I would like to have some local knowledge with me when we arrive at the different destinations. Have either of you sail to the Dominican Republic and back. Coqui Revelde
JRLPA & Coquirebelde I must admit when I saw you name, I fell off my chair laughing, I love it a rebel Coqui!
thats great! JRLPA I think I have seen your boat, is it in Ceiba? thanks for the comments, I am in talks with the Catalina as I think I could fix her up as a first sailboat and move on from there, will keep you posted JRPLA I need to sail where you do! man lately when I go out it has been nasty out there HI, prflyer
HI, prflyer We have the boat in Fajardo, Sea Lovers. The picture was taken in Medio Mundo coming back from Vieques. Weather now is not great, but it can be managed, I spend almost 20 years on powerboats and seas can be seen worst seen, as you never goes comfortable, always hitting and jumping in the sea. Once you have your sailboat tuned you will see it’s great and that we lived in a great, comfortable place to sail. The week of happy new year we were in Culebra and the sea was bad, up to maybe 7 feet, big powerboat were having a rough time getting to Culebra, but us on the sailboat were great and with good speed. A good thing about sailboat is with a little time, work and some money, they can be fix and put in place as you like. See you on the water.. My boat is: “ITZIAR” JRPLA jrpla@yahoo.com
HI, prflyer We have the boat in Fajardo, Sea Lovers. The picture was taken in Medio Mundo coming back from Vieques. Weather now is not great, but it can be managed, I spend almost 20 years on powerboats and seas can be seen worst seen, as you never goes comfortable, always hitting and jumping in the sea. Once you have your sailboat tuned you will see it’s great and that we lived in a great, comfortable place to sail. The week of happy new year we were in Culebra and the sea was bad, up to maybe 7 feet, big powerboat were having a rough time getting to Culebra, but us on the sailboat were great and with good speed. A good thing about sailboat is with a little time, work and some money, they can be fix and put in place as you like. See you on the water.. My boat is: “ITZIAR” JRPLA jrpla@yahoo.com
went the other way
Well, how things change in a day, truly I was leaning towards the Cat for a few reason, but I decided to spent some time on both vessels to really decide, feel around, you know...... and my decision changed, I sat down with the Alberg Ex-owner and bought the boat, I truly feel safer in the boat and I have 2 kids that love the water so for peace of mind and true capacity to go offshore I went with the Alberg, it might be a sense of false safety, because your boat to a certain extent is as good as the skipper but reading on the net stories on this boat really help my confidence, so thanks all for the kind words and concerns and i will keep you posted and post some pics in the weekend. Danny H
Well, how things change in a day, truly I was leaning towards the Cat for a few reason, but I decided to spent some time on both vessels to really decide, feel around, you know...... and my decision changed, I sat down with the Alberg Ex-owner and bought the boat, I truly feel safer in the boat and I have 2 kids that love the water so for peace of mind and true capacity to go offshore I went with the Alberg, it might be a sense of false safety, because your boat to a certain extent is as good as the skipper but reading on the net stories on this boat really help my confidence, so thanks all for the kind words and concerns and i will keep you posted and post some pics in the weekend. Danny H
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